Want to go veggie?
Vegetarian diet: five tips to get started
These tips will make following a vegetarian diet plan MUCH easier
Research suggest vegetarians live up to eight years longer than the rest of the general population. If you’ve been thinking that you might want to give up meat, here’s five expert tips to get you started on your veggie journey:
Pre-planning :Load your larder and fridge with veg and fruit. Plan menus ahead so you don’t waste food and are less likely to grab unhealthy options. We recommend stocking up on seeds and nuts to add crunch to dishes, and using seasonings such as citrus and chillies.
Snack attack : Prepare vegetables in advance to nibble on or make into meals on the fly. If you have guests coming round, assemble a colourful crudité platter of celery, carrots and peppers. For pudding, an exotic, ripe fruit salad, or Moroccan sliced oranges with cinnamon can work well.
The big freeze Making batches of your favourite grains and beans, and freezing them in pots, saves time in the long run when added to soups, stews and stir-fries. Other freezer friends include home-made curry paste, Kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass, for an impromptu veggie Thai curry that’s bursting with flavour.
Spice things up Eat out of your comfort zone. Resolve to try at least one new plant food a month and experiment with making veg exciting. Don’t just boil — roast, grill, sauté and braise. Add spices such as anardana (sun-dried pomegranate seeds) to salads or dip crusty bread and olive oil.
Small beginnings To slowly introduce yourself to vegetarian eating, its important viewing meat as an ingredient, not the centerpiece of the meal. For example, if you’re making a gravy, chilli , add peppery Put lentils to the sauce. It still will taste just as good but contain less meat per portion.
Want to go veggie?
