Veganuary 2025

[kikisparks]

A thread for anyone doing this who might need any help or tips 😊 I’m already vegan but happy to offer suggestions or support if anyone wants it!

DH bought me some rhythm 108 orange chocolate today and it's very nice! Trying hard not to eat the whole thing in one go 😂

We had tofu scramble for dinner tonight, usually a lunch item but we hadn’t had it in a while and I wanted DD to get some more protein today.

I have never tried frickles but I heard Aldi were doing them! I like the pizza aldi got in for veganuary but not as impressed by the ice cream bars that I had been really excited to try.

Glad you found a chocolate you like! Anything else you’re on the lookout for?

I always forget I can do tofu in the air fryer, thanks for the reminder!

In unhealthier news I found some plant based dairylea dunkers in Aldi, they are actually pretty good.

What are good sources of protein? I exercise a lot (hence username!) and often just rely on dairy for protein (as a veggie). I eat a lot of quorn (with salads). Otherwise soups, sandwiches, porridge, biscuits... very carb heavy 🙈

Also looks like we'll not be inheriting the air fryer. Any recommendations of a good/basic one to buy? Not sure if size comes into it but would want to be able to make food for 4

Tofu, legumes, seitan, tvp. Tesco’s own brand greek yoghurt is really good too, plus no sugar :)
I also add protein powder to my porridge, I need a lot of calories 😅

Yes to all of these, especially the Tesco vegan greek yoghurt, it was my saviour when I had morning sickness!!!
Good quality protein powder is a winner i used to add it into all kinds. Plus flax / seed mixes are great in salads.
Years ago I tracked everything I ate on My Fitness Pal as I was into my fitness and my daily protein grams were never an issue.

I also used to track protein on my fitness pal and never had an issue. DH is vegan and lifts weights - he likes the Bol range for convenience https://bolfoods.com/collections/power-soups where you can get 26g in one soup at 360 calories, but it’s all natural stuff you can easily make yourself. He also uses warburton seeded protein bagels which have legumes blended into the flour, and they taste ok actually.

Oh wow I actually picked up some of those soups over the weekend. Not tried yet!

Thanks for all the suggestions

Not sure if you're aware (cant tell if youre talking pre or post jan!) but a lot of quorn products have egg in them.

What's your thoughts on meat replacement products/UPFs?

Yes most quorn has egg in. Mist if the supermarket products came out when they suddenly thought there was a market for fake meat etc. established vegans usually cook their own stews, curries, chilli's etc they were mainly aimed at those transitioning. They are really unhealthy far better to just cook. Soups: stews etc in big pans. Cottage pie with lentils. Very easy

Lentils, beans, tofu etc

There is now a vegan quorn range too 😊

If you are happy with meat replacement products as a protein source and general ingredient, now is a good time to try some new things - both Tesco and Sainsbury's currently have 3 for 2 on their vegetarian/vegan ranges. Squeaky Bean, This Isn't, Richmond, Vivera and the Vegetarian Butcher are all v good products taste wise!

The vegetarian butcher is amazing and I once got a load of it ridiculously cheap in Heron Foods! The chicken stylepieces were amazing with some oil and seasoning and done in the air fryer!

Morrisson’s have 3 for £5 on frozen stuff. I bought 3 boxes of Fry’s vegan hotdogs, which are great in a paprika-heavy sausage casserole.

Ah ok cool. Never seem to see it in our local health food shop but think so dud see a vegan mince once.

DD is a fan of the vegan quorn dinosaurs! Of course we do balance that with healthier stuff but there’s a lot of fun to be had with a dino dinner 😄 nothing like that was around for even vegetarians when I was a kid.

Most supermarkets do an own brand vegan mince quite cheaply, and you can buy “textured vegetable protein” from health food shops which is made from just one ingredient, soya beans, and works well as a mince too. I’m hoping to make “mince” mash peas green beans and gravy at some point this week, winter comfort food.

Ooh thanks I love fry’s stuff. Do you have a recipe for the casserole?

A very good point too, a predominantly whole foods vegan diet is going to be the healthiest. I sometimes use green lentils in the place of mince in things like bolognese, not the same texture but still very nice.

Also @Gymbunny2025, if you havent already seen it, Game Changers on Netflix is worth a watch if exercise and fitness are your thing. (They are not mine although I am doing the walk of shame back to the gym tonight about 10st heavier than I was last time I was there. And I was 9 months pregnant then 🫣)

Thanks for the info @PigInADuvet I'll check it out

Have fun at gym tonight. Nothing else matters 😊

I fry diced onion, red pepper, carrots, garlic. Add paprika, grainy mustard and honey. Tub of passata and stick it in the oven until the carrots are soft. Add drained tin green lentils, sliced sausages and warm through. We have it with hassle back potatoes.