My 3 Go-To Unintentionally Vegan Meals
I follow an intuitive eating approach to fueling my body and don’t abide by any food rules. This means, I’m not vegan.
But a vegan diet is a choice people make for a variety of reasons, with the most common being for ethical and environmental reasons.
If you’re like me and don’t adhere to a strict diet, but are looking to incorporate tasty and effortlessly vegan meals to your rotation, then try my three go-to unintentionally vegan meals!
Breakfast
Inspired by one of my favorite food bloggers and Food Network hosts, this vegan breakfast is an adaptation of a Pioneer Woman recipe. Apples and Peanut Butter on Toast sprinkled with cinnamon.
This breakfast has the perfect combination of fiber, protein, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied all morning
Now, this being a vegan option is enough of a swap. But if you want to take things to the next level, consider the following recommendations:
- Peanut butter often includes palm oil, an industry that is wiping out rain forests of the world. When choosing a nut butter for this breakfast, choose a product that either doesn’t have palm oil or sources it sustainably.
- Furthermore, locally sourced, in season fruit will be the most sustainable option. However, it’s Maine in the winter so neither of those things are readily available at the moment.
- Locally baked bread is a great option to support small business.
Lunch or Dinner
Been and vegetable chili. Basically chili without the meat. My go to ingredient combo includes some canned beans, diced tomatoes, green bell pepper, onion, and jalapeno. Add a packet of chili seasoning and let it cook in a crock pot for 4-6 hours. A nice crusty roll is a perfect vessel for scooping!
The beans provide a good source of protein and fiber, with plenty of micronutrients in the vegetables, and an extra bump of carbs from the bread.
Again, here are some ways to make this more environmentally friendly
- Double the quantity for a cost effective meal prepping option. Left overs help your wallet and the environment by cutting back on eating out.
- Source organic ingredients. Tomatoes and bell peppers are commonly on the “dirty dozen” list, meaning these crops usually have higher amounts of pesticides applied in traditional agricultural practices. Opting for organically grown counterparts will be better for you and the environment. (Please note, organic does not always mean pesticide free)
Snack
A snack I’ve been obsessed with lately is garlic parmesan pretzel crisps with roasted red pepper hummus. While that particular flavor of pretzel crisps isn’t vegan, there are several options that are.
But beware, the warning labels on these snacks don’t include their addictive taste!
An easy variation of this would be vegetables with hummus. Pair this with a hearty salad and this could be a nice lunch.
I call these my unintentional vegan meals because…
while there is nothing wrong with vegan chicken nuggets, imitation beef, or tofu, my “unintentionally vegan” recipes aren’t substitute versions of the original, they are stand alone options that are easy to make and satiating.
