Veganuary: How to eat sustainably on a plant-based diet
A good place to start with a plant-based diet is to increase the variety of plants that you eat.
Not only is this really beneficial for your gut health but it’s also a more sustainable approach as it increases general biodiversity through spreading out the demand for certain crops.
Sourcing protein is a common concern for most people taking up a plant-based diet.
A quick win is lentils and pulses, as they are a great source of protein and fibre as well as being one of the most sustainable foods. Pulses and lentil production use minimal water to grow, improve soil fertility and reduce dependence on energy-intensive fertilisers.
Not wanting to miss out on hot, creamy drinks in the winter, it’s a good idea to look out for plant-based milks that are fortified with calcium, B12 and iodine.
Looking out for the B-corp stamp on milks is another good sustainability hack as well as drinking oat milk over almond milk.
Now that you’re armed with a list of top tips for a healthy and sustainable Veganuary, these easy to follow vegan recipes, which encompass seasonal vegetables and pulses, will leave you wanting to make them time and time again. You won’t miss the meat either, promise.
With aromatic spices and pre-steamed brown rice, you’ll shortcut your way to this rich, vegetable-packed curry in just 10 minutes. Sizzle, ding, and serve up a weeknight winner in no time.
Ingredients:
50g solid creamed coconut
20g mango chutney
400g tinned chickpeas
16g tomato paste
120g baby leaf spinach
15g ginger and garlic paste
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tbsp curry powder
5g vegetable stock mix
1 tsp nigella seeds