No need for Veganuary - do this instead!

As the New Year unfolds, many embark on the Veganuary journey, exploring plant-based lifestyles for health and/or environmental reasons. While the intentions are commendable, achieving a healthy diet doesn't necessarily mean adopting a strict vegan approach.

Veganuary isn't the only path to a healthy lifestyle - you can still eat meat and be healthy! But, what I will say, is that trying to lower your meat intake does naturally tend to mean that you will UP your vegetable intake - and that IS a good thing 😊.

One quick word on this though - to make sure you're getting the best quality nutrients from your meat try grass-fed (less inflammatory than standard grain fed beef) and organic where you can. Vegetables - again, if you can get organic, this tends to be more nutritious, but don't worry if you can't - the most important thing here is variety and colour of veg.

For instance:-

Green veg will generally have more folate, iron and fibre;

Yellow and orange veg will generally have more beta-carotene and vitamin C;

Red veg will generally have more lycopene and quercetin; and

Blue and purple veg will generally have more lutein and flavonoids.

See below for some creative ideas on how to incorporate more veggies into your meals.

10 Ideas to Boost Veggie Intake:

1. Lentil-Infused Spaghetti Bolognese: Combine puy (green) lentils with a smaller amount of beef for a nutrient-packed twist on a classic dish.

2. Veggie-Stuffed Omelette: Load your morning omelette with a colourful array of vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Makes for a quick and nutritious lunch too.

3. Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry: Swap traditional rice with cauliflower rice in your favourite stir-fry for a lighter, veggie-packed alternative that is quick and easy. The kids will hardly notice the difference!

4. Courgette Noodles with Pesto: Replace pasta with courgetti and toss together with a vibrant pesto sauce for a refreshing meal. You can easily add some grilled chicken to this 😊

5. Chickpea and Vegetable Curry: Create a hearty curry using chickpeas. Throw in some veggies like spinach, peas or sweet potato.

6. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos: Fill tacos with a mixture of sweet potatoes and black beans, adding a burst of flavours and nutrients.

7. Grilled Portobello Mushrooms as Burger Patties: Opt for grilled portobello mushrooms as a meaty substitute in burgers, which gives a very satisfying texture.

8. Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers: Mix quinoa with veggies to stuff bell peppers, creating a wholesome and filling meal.

9. Kale and Berry Smoothie: Blend kale with berries and other favourite fruits for a nutritious and delicious smoothie.

10. Roasted Veggie Salad with Hummus Dressing: Roast a variety of vegetables and drizzle them with a hummus-based dressing for a nutrient-packed salad.

Now, that's got to be a great way to get some gorgeous and different variety veg in, isn't it? Let me know what you think in my DM's or email 🌿

Now do this👉 subscribepage.io/plantbasedrecipes to download my FREE guide on the above recipes

OR do this 👇

Sign up for your personalised Diet Analysis (only £11) - for details go here:

https://www.sharonraenutrition.com/diet-analysis

Here's to Health & Happiness in 2024