Ishtar Darlington
The first step on the vegan path is usually to remove meat from the diet and, yes, that includes chicken and fish!
“But how on earth will I get protein into my meals?” I hear you ask. You may be surprised to learn that meat isn’t the only source of protein in a human diet, far from it in actual fact. Legumes, such as soybeans, lentils and chickpeas, are fantastic sources of protein for the body and the media famous chia seeds also pack a powerful protein punch. Substituting beans and pulses for meat in recipes is relatively easy as well. Mincemeat can be exchanged for lentils or kidney beans in anything from a lasagna to a chili ‘non’ carne 😉
If you find you’re still missing your meaty meals think about finding a meat replacement for a while. With vegetarianism and veganism taking the modern world by storm it usually isn’t difficult to find quality, affordable ‘fake’ meats. I’ve found the delicious Linda McCartney sausages are easily available and dried soy chunks (fantastic in a bolognaise sauce) are on the shelves of most Asian supermarkets and health food shops.
And, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous in the kitchen, think about making your own vegan versions of your favourite meaty mouthfuls. The internet is a wonderful thing and a quick Google search can turn up a cornucopia of recipes for tasty treats like vegan sausages, burgers and meatballs.
Taking the meat off your menu doesn’t have to make mealtimes boring. In fact, it can be an exciting way to try new foods and bring a bit of experimentation and fun back into the kitchen.
