Beginner's Guide to Plant-Based Shopping
Don’t be intimidated; plant-based shopping’s a lot easier than you think.
Shopping for your plant-based lifestyle might seem daunting at first, but you’ll be surprised as to how quickly you learn to read labels and fill your trolley to the brim. “There are more plant-based products on the market than you think,” says Leozette Roode from Humane Society International – Africa. To make shopping for your plant-based lifestyle a walk in the park, Leozette suggests creating three lists: a basic monthly shopping list, a fresh weekly shopping list, and a speciality shopping list for whipping up specific recipes.
BASIC MONTHLY SHOPPING LIST
This list consists of your basic pantry and freezer essentials and includes: grains (pasta, rice, cereal), sugar, flours, oil, long-lasting vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes), non-dairy milk, dried or tinned goods (lentils, beans, vegetables), spices, sauces, nuts and seeds, sweets, biscuits, and frozen foods (frozen vegetables, frozen berries).
FRESH WEEKLY SHOPPING LIST
Weekly goods will help build up your fridge essentials list and may include: leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard, lettuce), favourite fresh vegetables you are likely to eat weekly (tomatoes, cucumber, onion, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, aubergine, celery, beetroot, mushrooms), favourite fresh fruit you are likely to eat weekly (bananas, apples, berries, oranges), herbs (basil, parsley, coriander), wholegrain bread (brown, multi-seed, rye, gluten free), dairy alternatives (cheese, yoghurt, cream), tofu.
SPECIALITY SHOPPING LIST
If you are planning a dinner party or a meal for friends or family, you need to create a speciality shopping list. Always do your shopping a day before to avoid not getting hold of essential ingredients. These ingredients are dependent on the recipe, and are usually out of the ordinary (like tortillas or fenugreek) but you might also have some stocked in your pantry or fridge already.EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PLANT-BASED LIVING
EATING OUT WHILE LIVING PLANT-BASED
We have partnered with Humane Society International – Africa and Green Monday SA to bring you this information.