PLANT-BASED LIVING 101: TIPS TO GETTING STARTED

Whether you’re flexitarian, vegetarian, vegan or just considering adding more fruit and veg to your diet, we’ve got the low down on how to make plant-based eating easy, delicious and sustainable.

Leozette Roode, Media and Outreach Manager at Humane Society International – Africa and real-life vegan is here to help. She says preparation really helps you thrive on a plant-based lifestyle.

These simple tips will help set you up.

  • Understand why

    Educating yourself on the benefits of eating plant-based will make this way of eating even easier. Delve into books and articles, listen to talks and refer to documentaries and videos to learn more.

  • Plan your meals

    Planning your meals will help you navigate this journey with ease. Not only will it ensure you stick to a plant-based diet and remain excited about what’s to come, but it will also eliminate possible frustration or failure when creativity in the kitchen hits a low.

  • Stock up

    Once you have a database of recipes saved and meals planned, it’s time to draw up a shopping list to stock your fridge, freezer and pantry. Make sure you have non-perishable essentials for daily use and think about how often you need to visit your local market or closest Woolies for fresh produce.

  • Prepare for emergencies

    All too often the world throws us a curve ball and cooking a meal from scratch no longer fits our schedules. In case of emergencies, always have a ready-made meal or quick-to-cook alternative in the fridge or freezer. A good idea is to prepare a big batch of your favourite dish and freeze it in individual portions.

  • Equipment

    Preparing plant-based dishes requires only a few basic kitchen utensils. A good blender and mixer will make your life (a whole lot) easier, but you can definitely whip up great dishes without spending your entire budget on new gear.