Whenever I tell someone that my diet consists mostly of vegan and plant-based food, I get that “oh, you poor thing.. that sounds so plain and boring” look. The food I eat is usually quite healthy, but the very last thing I would describe it as is “plain” or “boring.”
I usually don’t have any problems sticking to my plant-based diet (I still continue with the 22-day nutrition book that I mentioned right here), but if I do cheat a little here and there, I noticed that it usually happens during the weekend. Whether it’s going out, or having someone over, no one seems to share my eating habits nowadays:). I thought that it would cool to share some of my favorite, vegan, plant-based, healthy snacks with you guys here on the blog.
Okay, so this might not actually be considered a “snack”, it might be more of a meal, but one of my favorite things to eat is mashed avocado on a gluten-free toast. To mix it up a little bit, I sometimes top it off with some very thinly sliced red onions, olives, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. I also think that not many things go together as well as avocado and tomato. My other favorite, a quick snack is a vegan brown rice cake topped with avocado, kumato tomato, some sea salt, and a thin, balsamic reduction.
The fruit is the ultimate fast-food. All you have to do is wash or peel and you have yourself a healthy snack. I always try to buy organic and local, whenever possible. Berries are my favorite, but I also love bananas, watermelon, pineapple, mango, kiwi and apples. To avoid the ever-present temptation, I also always carry some almonds in my bag, sometimes I mix them up with some fresh blueberries. Lately, I’ve also become obsessed with cashews and walnuts.
Speaking of fruit, another awesome thing to snack on (especially when you have a bad sweet tooth) are frozen grapes. Whoever came up with this concept is seriously a genius.
I think that I found sushi and sashimi the hardest to say goodbye to. I still have sushi once in a while but always order vegan options like brown rice avocado roll. Another favorite of mine is avocado-cucumer roll also made with brown rice.
So I just told you guys that I sometimes used to slip up during the weekends, but there’s a way for you not to feel jealous while your SO stuffs his/her face with pizza. I always make sure to have some veggies like red and green peppers and carrots as well as some chickpeas so that I can quickly make some homemade hummus and enjoy it with my veggies. Another quick snack you can prepare yourself is salsa. All you need is some ripe tomatoes, onions, and jalape~no pepper. I love having some fresh, home-style salsa with kale and spinach chips.
Dairy-free yogurt with slivered almonds and berries- a good option for a quick, light, breakfast.
Ezekiel bread toast with natural, chunky peanut butter topped with organic banana and sun-dried goji berries.
When you change your eating habits to healthier ones, it’s always important to plan ahead, especially if you’re really serious about changing your diet. Not every restaurant provides healthier or plant-based options, but that doesn’t mean that I stop my husband or my friends from eating takeout in front of me. I just always make sure that I have some fun and tasty snacks prepared for myself.
What about you guys? Do you try to keep healthy when it comes to snacking?
12 Comments
Amy Eade
June 23, 2015 at 5:13 pmOooh this is such a good post. I started following a plant based diet about a month ago but had to cheat when I went on holiday because it was too difficult! It’s really helpful to see what you snack on though as that’s where I struggle!
Amy x
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 23, 2015 at 5:46 pmThat’s awesome Amy! Ahh I know it can be a little difficult at times, I can’t imagine how hard it must be when you go away on vacation! :) Glad you liked this post!
Sophie Sierra
June 23, 2015 at 8:18 pmThese are all so eye-poppingly gorgeous! Like a tasty tone of technicolour! I can’t get over how delicious the kale and spinach chips look. OMG, what’s your motto love? Get in ma belly! ;) :D Hehe! I’m with you on that for sure!!!! The toast looks so divine, I love the chunky peanut butter and love the nutritional twist by adding goji berries and banana. Majorly crushing on everything pictured so perfectly here, I’m always in awe of you and your imagination and vision when it comes to recipes. LOVE! <3
Sophie | soinspo xo
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 27, 2015 at 11:47 amThanks so much Soph! It was definitely fun setting everything up for this post, but it was even more fun eating everything afterwards haha :D :D I’m so addicted to those chips, I don’t have them too often but when I do, I find it hard to stop :D
Rachel Shuchat
June 24, 2015 at 6:56 amYum, your food is so colorful and looks delicious!!!
RachelShuchatMakeup
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 27, 2015 at 11:47 amThanks you! ;)
Lauren Blair .
June 27, 2015 at 11:33 amGood read! I’m not plant based (yet) but it’s something I’ve been curious about. And I agree, healthy certainly next to never means “boring.” XO
-Lauren Blair
http://www.prefertobedemure.com
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 27, 2015 at 11:48 amThanks Lauren!
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
June 27, 2015 at 11:47 amThanks Brenda ;) I was never much of a meat eater to begin with, so I don’t really miss it, to be honest :)
laluceblog
June 27, 2015 at 7:25 pmI try my best to eat healthy when snacking…My biggest trouble is
finding healthy foods to eat while traveling! It’s surprising how little
options you have while driving through the Midwestern United States.
And I agree, healthy is never boring!
Jaclyn
Rebecca Ellis
September 21, 2015 at 6:36 pmFantastic read – I’d love to go completely Vegan, but I have no idea where to start… especially since my family are big meat eaters x
http://www.sheintheknow.co.uk
The Sunday Mode
November 3, 2016 at 10:46 pmThe peanut butter and banana on toast combo really appeals to me but you’ve got so many good ideas here and all of the food is so beautifully colourful!
http://www.thesundaymode.com