What Foods Can I Eat on a Plant-Based Diet? | Green Chef (2024)

A Plant-Based Diet Shopping List

If you’re wondering what to put in your grocery cart, have no fear. We’ve put together shopping lists for each of the most common plant based diets. It’s really quite simple when you think of it this way: everyone can eat vegan! Let’s start, then, with a vegan diet grocery list that can be the baseline for all vegetarian diet foods list:

  • Fruits: apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, bananas, etc. Choose in-season fruits, and opt for frozen fruit for smoothies.
  • Vegetables: fresh or frozen, nutrient packed vegetables are the base of the vegan diet food pyramid. Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier!
  • Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber. Oats, quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, and bulgur are hearty and satisfying options.
  • Healthy fats: avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil etc.
  • Legumes: including green peas, chickpeas, beans, lentils, peanuts, and natural peanut butter.
  • Seeds, nuts, nut butters: almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, tahini…when choosing nut butters, choose natural and unsweetened kinds.
  • Plant-based milks: soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk, etc. Opt for unsweetened varieties.
  • Plant-based protein: tofu, seitan, and vegan protein powders.

These vegan diet foods belong on every plant-based diet shopping list, no matter which variety of plant-based diet you choose. One thing to keep in mind: stay away from overly processed or “junk” foods. Potato chips and sugar are technically vegan but aren’t going to help you move toward a healthier life.

What Foods Can I Eat on a Plant-Based Diet? | Green Chef (2024)

FAQs

What Foods Can I Eat on a Plant-Based Diet? | Green Chef? ›

A vegan diet relies heavily on whole grains, fiber rich veggies and fruits, as well as heart-healthy nuts and oils. It can be difficult for vegans to get enough protein and calcium, so the vegan diet tends to include a lot of lentils, chickpeas, beans, and tofu.

What foods are allowed on a plant-based diet? ›

Plant-based or plant-forward eating patterns focus on foods primarily from plants. This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It doesn't mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy.

What is a diet that is entirely on plant foods? ›

People who follow vegan diets abstain from consuming any animal products, including dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and honey. Vegetarians exclude all meat and poultry from their diets, but some vegetarians eat eggs, seafood, or dairy ( 3 ).

What are the 4 types of people who eat mostly plant-based foods? ›

Below is a summary of the more popular types of plant-based diets: semi-vegetarian or flexitarian, pescatarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, vegan, and whole-food, plant-based. Semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diets are primarily vegetarian but include a small amount of meat, poultry, fish, and seafood.

What are 5 plant-based foods? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier! Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber.

Is pasta OK on a plant-based diet? ›

Not only is each pasta on our list a natural source of nutrients such as iron and calcium, but they're also excellent plant-based sources of complex carbs and protein.

Can I eat bread on a plant-based diet? ›

At its core, a bread recipe contains four simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast — a type of microscopic fungus used to help bread rise. Therefore, the simplest form of bread is vegan. However, some types include additional ingredients like sweeteners or fats — both of which can be of animal origin.

Are potatoes plant-based? ›

The definition of a plant-based diet can depend on who you ask. Generally, it is an eating style that emphasizes real, whole foods that come from plants, including: Vegetables: kale, spinach, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes, squash, etc. Whole grains: brown rice, oats, quinoa, barley, etc.

Can I eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

What are the 30 plant-based foods? ›

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, eggplant, lemons, lettuce, green beans, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, corn, Swiss chard, celery, beets, onions, cauliflower, cherries, bananas, mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, ...

What are 2 plant-based foods? ›

It encourages lots of vegetables (cooked or raw), fruits, beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, seeds, and nuts (in smaller amounts) and is generally low fat. Leading proponents in the field have varying opinions as to what comprises the optimal plant-based diet.

What are the 6 plant food groups? ›

So far, research indicates that people who consume high-fibre diets made up of a wide range of whole plant-based foods from the 'Super Six' (wholegrain, vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, seeds and herbs and spices) typically have the greatest GM diversity and stability.

What do you call a person who eats a plant-based diet? ›

The word vegan can be an adjective (as in a vegan diet) or a noun (as in I'm a vegan). In general, vegans avoid eating or using things that are either from animals or made by animals. In terms of diet, this means not consuming any meat or dairy products, or other animal-derived products, such as honey.

What should I eat 30 plant-based foods a week? ›

Eating 30 different plants a week can boost the diversity and health of your gut microbiome. And in turn, it may affect many other aspects of your health. If 30 sounds like a lot, you'll be pleased to hear: It's not just fruits and veggies that count. You can include grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices, too.

Is tuna part of a plant-based diet? ›

A pescatarian diet is a plant-based diet that includes fish. The prefix is derived from the Italian word “pesce,” meaning fish. While someone on a pescatarian diet will consume fish-based foods, like tuna, halibut, salmon, or sushi, they'll typically avoid other meats, like beef, chicken, or pork.

Are eggs OK on a plant-based diet? ›

In other words, plants were paired with protein sources, like eggs, to make a nutritious and well rounded meal. Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

Can I eat cheese on a plant-based diet? ›

There are a lot of great plant-based protein sources, including tofu, lentils, beans, nuts and nut butters, seeds, and quinoa. Don't forget: Dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, and fish are allowed on the plant-based diet, they just shouldn't be the center of the meal.

Are potatoes considered plant-based? ›

The definition of a plant-based diet can depend on who you ask. Generally, it is an eating style that emphasizes real, whole foods that come from plants, including: Vegetables: kale, spinach, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes, squash, etc. Whole grains: brown rice, oats, quinoa, barley, etc.

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