Non processed vegan

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

Hi, having read the book "How not to Die" I am intending to go back to a vegan way of life, but more for health than moral grounds. I would really like to avoid processed vegan food as I think a lot of it is not very healthy. I also need to cut down on salt due to high blood pressure.

Any tips or advice for going vegan without going for too much convenience food please? For example what could you have in a sandwich? I do also have to continue to cook for my meat eating family so would like meals if possible that I can have alongside theirs, so for example if they are having a spag bol I can have a vegan spag bol, if they are having chicken fajitas I can have mushroom ones
et cetera. I do have the book Oh she Glows but any other ideas would be welcome. Thank you x

We don't eat any convenience food. Not unless you count canned organic veg sometimes to use in curry.

I swear by using a lot of avocado as 'meat' plus mushrooms of course sometimes.

When I have a sandwich I often just put salad in it...again, often avocado.

For a fast meal I make a 'bowl' from Oh She Glows website. I vary the contents and often just use what I have in....canned beans and chick peas as a base with salady things and dressings on top. Oils, lemon...salt and pepper.

I never buy any processed 'vegan' foods at all. Falafels are a good one too. You can make a batch and freeze too.

Meals you can have alongside your family:
Chickpea tagine
Chilli
Curry
Bbq pulled jackfruit
Burgers www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/the-best-vegan-burger/
Stir fry - I like this recipe www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/thai-satay-stir-fry and throw in some cooked chicken at the end for the others
Lentil roast www.merchant-gourmet.com/recipes/recipe/lentil-roast/
Traybake realfood.tesco.com/recipes/aloo-gobi-traybake.html

You do know that everything dies eventually, don’t you OP?

Not vegan, but I often use mashed chickpeas as a sandwich filler. Add s&p, some spices etc and it’s yummy.

Shop bought bread is ultra processed unfortunately

We like fajitas made with kidney beans or chickpeas.
Lentil bolognese.
Cashew nut stir fry
Tofu or chickpeas in curry.
For sandwiches I like falafel with mango chutney and lettuce or homemade Houmous (I blitz drained chickpeas with a spoonful of tahini, garlic and lemon juice).

Cashew nuts blitzed with stuffing onions and carrot makes a reasonably nice nut roast too.

I’m a big fan of the Thai satay stir fry @Fivemoreminutes1 posted

Black bean chilli is also good, just leave feta off yours www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/black-bean-chilli

Lentils are your friend - both these are excellent (just leave the butter out the pie):

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/veggie-shepherds-pie-sweet-potato-mash

Hummus and grated carrot in pita is a good sandwich, also like avocado with pickle, peanut butter, baba ganoush, roasted veg in a wrap.

Bookmarking. What a great idea! Always wondered ho to do this.
Also made Korean fried chicken but with cauliflower- even kids liked it

@FourteenthDoctor

Shop bought bread is ultra processed unfortunately

But that's simply not true, as a sweeping statement, isn't it? There is an endless type of shops selling an endless type of bread, much of which may be UP but also plenty which is not. I have a shop bought loaf in front of me that is exactly the same as if I had made it myself...it is by no means ultra processed.

@FourteenthDoctor

Shop bought bread is ultra processed unfortunately

Tell that to my baker. No additives or anything and no preservatives. All made fresh on the premises.

Thanks all some great ideas. I've not been 100% vegan the past few days but about 90% and I already feel better, lighter, and healthier. Yes I know everything does eventually but I would rather do all I can not to die prematurely of heart disease or diabetes or other preventable diseases. I can't do anything about my genetics but I can do something about my lifestyle.

Dies not does.

Would you eat tofu? I get Togo Naked tofu and it’s very low in salt. It really absorbs flavour, so is great in a lunchbox salad with a tasty dressing. It’s nice scrambled on toast if you’re having lunch at home.

Houmous, easy to make a batch.
Baba ghanous?
Tomatoes and salad?

Im not vegan but have been vegetarian for 25 years and rarely eat meat substitutes.

I think the key is eating food from cultures where vegetarian food is normal. I eat a lot of Asian food and a lot less western food.

If I just tried to make the food I ate growing up vegetarian I’d be eating a lot of fake meat etc.

@Fivemoreminutes1 thanks I like fried tofu never had it scrambled

@MissTrip82 thanks we do already eat a lot of rice and noodle based dishes and all we like spicy food so that's a winner

Try the itdoesnttastelikechicken.com website. She veganises many main comfort food dishes.

I don’t eat much, if any, processed vegan foods. I do a lot of Buddha bowls, baked tofu (so it tastes like chicken!), fruits, grains and sprouts etc.
The only bread I eat is Ezekiel bread.

There are lots of things you can make for sandwich fillers, Pinterest is a good source as well.