@scienceislove2014

3 months ago

For those considering a vegan lifestyle cuz you're a compassionate being but not really knowing where to start.. I've got you covered..
You don't really know what you can eat now that you've ditched meat and dairy..
It can be quite confusing and intimidating even for those who didn't really care about what they were putting into their bodies prior to going vegan..

If you're indian..you already eat a plant centered diet..so it's dairy for us..

So if you , you the Indian , don't wanna support the cruel dairy industry..but still wanna avoid burning a hole in your pocket.. you can start with a simple meal plan.. a low budget but highly nutritious meal plan... Gather every dish you consider healthy..and then ..well... we'll get to that in a while..
But first let's talk about two essential nutrients.. vit b12 and d3 ...
If you don't get out in the sun for atleast 25-30 mins 3-4 times a week.. you're doomed to suffer from d3 deficiency...even CARNIVORES (humans ofc) struggle to meet their vit d requirements from food alone.. they can hardly hit 15 percent.. so.. you should either supplement every once a week or step out in the sun a bit more often..

Now comes b12 ... You can either take shots (that's what I do..like every alternate month) or take a pill once a week .. and this is natural and safe..but be careful with fat soluble vitamins like vit D ...so it would be better if you talked to your doc before taking vit d (as they'll give you adequate dosage..) ... B12 is totally safe tho..
Or you can take axbex or zincovit (multivitamin..) .. pop in a multi and you're set for the day.. this is especially important for pre-meds (or students) like me ...busy people ...

Here goes the food.. this is what works for our household ..cuz these are our staples..

Protein sources-
Chickpeas
Soy chunks (this is cheap and healthy..and has anti cancer properties..well anything soy has anti cancer properties except for soy bean oil)
Soy bean/tofu.
Beans like kidney beans or mung bean
Lentils (a mix of lentils)
Quinoa (quinoa is cheap.. and very healthy..)
Amaranth (i buy muesli from peepal farm)
Millets (Indians love millet..these are not particularly high in protein but they're amazing)
Chia seeds (not just protein but amazing fats as well...but be sure to soak em)
Flax seeds (these are literally superfoods..)
Green peas
Hemp seeds (we don't use it but they're really good)
Tempeh (i don't have access to these but again ... they're so good)
Legumes or Pulses in general are so good for you..
Nuts and seeds (amazing protein and fats .)

Greens -

Cabbage/cauliflower/brocoli/Brussel sprouts (if available)
Leafy greens like spinach or kale
Beet root
Carrots
Cucumber
Amla (it's a fruit but they're the best. Period)
Bell pepper 🫑
Bitter gourd
And the list goes on and on..
Be sure to eat regional vegetabls cuz India is pretty diverse ...so eat your greens..and go local ...
Peanut butter (peepal farm)

Try to incorporate more colour into your food ....or maybe give permaculture ... Or give permaculture a shot if you have the time..and space..


Dishes i eat..

Dosa (this is my fave )
Lentil curry with rice
Rajma chawal
Idli sambhar
Indian version of chilli (that has chickpeas , rajma , ground soy chunks , carrots , bell pepper, 🍅 tomatoes, etc)
Yellow pea chat
Litti chokha
Soy bean biryani
Soy bean ki sabzi (i eat lil to no oil)
Chana masala (chickpea curry)
Oat porridge with apples and bananas and chia seed on top
Indian version of chilli (that has soy chunks , Pinto beans or white rajma , chickpeas , bell pepper 🫑, carrots , onion and garlic 🧄, indian spices, some soy sauce, tomato puree..and a bunch of other healthy ingredient..this can double as bhaji for pav bhaji)
Quinoa oat cinnamon banana porridge without any milk.. you could add some chia or nuts of your choice..
Black mung daal seasoned with salt
South Indian style besan tofu sauted in curry leaves and mustard seeds with sauce..
Chola chana chaat with aloo ki tikki .. (we make it bland cuz we like it bland..)
Flax seed and jaggery dumplings
Red lentil uttapam
Yellow pea chat
(Quinoa+daliya+millet+rice) mung bean khichdi with added veggies
Daal
Dhokla
Pakal tofu paneer
Mushroom biryani
Oat dense chocolate fudge cake (dessert 😁)
Mix veg soy bean sabzi (quite runny....pretty similar to a soup.. but very tasty.. i like bland stuff )
High protein muesli ...
Tofu scramble (we eat homemade tofu.. )
Quinoa raita with (peanuts+cabbage+carrot+apples) and other temperings .. we use soy yogurt the one prepared at home...from scratch..cuz i don't use store bought food items / convenient foods into my body..unless I'm starving


These were the dishes i grew up eating.. so it can be different for you.. so prepare a chart of essentials..
I make sure that i eat atleast two servings of protein rich dish (any two.. like it can be chana masala in the morning and khichdi for lunch or di

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