Healthier Vegan Alternatives to Your Favorite Meaty Meals
For many people, nothing says “meal” like “meat,” and for others, nothing says “healthy” quite like “vegan.” So the question is, can you eat healthier vegan versions of your favorite meaty meals without sacrificing any of the taste you love? Of course you can, and here are some great healthier vegan alternatives you can try today.
Quinoa Tacos
Tacos wouldn’t be tacos without ground beef, right? Wrong. You can make vegan tacos that taste just as good as the ground beef you’re used to, without sacrificing taste or texture.
The secret is in a tiny grain called quinoa, which packs a lot of nutrition. Simply cook up a dry cup of quinoa and mix it with your favorite taco ingredients, such as beans, for a meal that’s packed with protein and fiber.
Seitan Cheesesteaks
When someone thinks of healthier vegan alternatives, they’re probably prone to thinking about salads rather than meat-free cheesesteak sandwiches. But the truth is that you can enjoy yummy cheesesteak sandwiches on a plant-based diet.
You can find vegan cheese shreds from a number of companies, so do some taste-testing to figure out which brand you like best. Then purchase seitan, which is a meat substitute made out of wheat gluten.
Melt the cheese onto some bread while you chop, season, and pan-fry the seitan. Sauté some peppers and onions in another pan, and then combine it all on a piece of bread. You’ll never know that you’re not eating steak, as seitan has a texture that’s very similar to beef. As long as you season it appropriately, seitan is a healthier option for a variety of meat dishes.
Buffalo Tempeh
Spicy chicken wings are a favorite among meat eaters, and while you may think there’s no substitution, there are healthier vegan alternatives to try. For example, you can use tofu, but another great choice is tempeh, which is made from whole soybeans rather than just the bean curd.
Tempeh can be a little tough, so soften it by steaming or boiling it first. After it’s steamed, you can use flour and water to make a very basic batter, and then coat the tempeh in breadcrumbs before baking the nuggets until they’re warmed through and a golden brown. Dip in your favorite hot sauce and enjoy.
Again, these are just three of many delicious vegan “meat” options that can transform any meal into a healthier one that your whole family will love. Use these substitutes while trying to lose weight, and combine this healthy diet with a product like Phentramin-D for fantastic results.
