How I switched to Plant-Based So Easily?

I am constantly asked what I eat in a day and how I switched to plant-based so easily.

The answer is PLANNING.

I don't know about you, but I like to eat! For me, food is life, food is joy, food is something I look forward to, food gets me excited, food is my fuel, food makes me happy.

Planning my daily menu according to what I like to eat made the switch to plant-based super doable. I knew what I was going to eat every day, so I could prepare, which made it easier to follow my plan. It also made it mentally easy because I wasn't afraid of the unknown.

Keeping it SIMPLE is also super helpful! Simple means it's OK to eat oatmeal for breakfast every single day, that it's OK to have salad and omelet for lunch, and that your snack can be as simple as a fruit.

My Go-To Breakfast: Overnight Oatmeal 

Overnight oatmeal is my go-to breakfast, and I never get tired of it. It became part of my routine/lifestyle, and I don't even think about it anymore. I know that this is my breakfast and that's what I crave :)

As a kid, my mom used to make oatmeal for us as a light dinner, and it was super special, we loved it!

(Yes, oatmeal for dinner, because in Israel, people eat their main meal at lunchtime, and dinner is usually like the typical American breakfast here, eggs, toast, vegetables, cheese, etc. )

This easy & super healthy breakfast will make you feel good! It will help your digestive system function better and it will help balance your overall health.

Check Out My Go-To Breakfast Recipe: Overnight Oatmeal

For Lunch: Salad + Protein

Lunch will always be some salad and a protein for me.

I learned that if I eat only a vegetable salad without a substantial protein, I stay hungry, and then I snack too much. However, if I eat a good protein with my salad, it fills me up and keeps me satisfied longer without the need to snack.

Chickpea omelet is one of my go-to lunch proteins, just because it's so quick to make, and I always have chickpea flour in my pantry.

Be creative with what you add to your omelet! Add whatever veggies you like, onions, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, you name it. The more, the merrier :)

Always include the veggies you like to eat in your omelet, and change it according to what you have in your fridge or according to what you feel like eating that day.

I like to serve it with simple cut up vegetables such as tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, and avocado. Then I drizzle both omelet and vegetables with tahini sauce.

Check Out My Go-To Lunch Recipe: Chickpea Omelet

What's for Dinner? 

We normally eat dinner together as a family, so this is where I get most creative. We'll have a warm main dish and a side, plus a salad.

With our busy schedule, finding time to make a good dinner which is healthy, nutritional and delicious can be challenging, so I try to make my life easier by preparing what I can ahead of time, so that when everybody is hungry, I have food ready on the table in no time!

I try to add as many good ingredients as possible into my food, because that's what gives the food its nutrients as well as more layers of flavors. Most of the ingredients I keep in the house on a regular basis, that way, it’s easy to prepare a healthy, balanced meal in no time. If you haven't read my post about stocking your kitchen so you can easily cook quick vegan meals, it's right here.

Here's a recipe that's always a hit with my family: Superfood Veggie Pattie over sautéed greens.

The nice thing about the Superfood Veggie Patties is that you can make a batch ahead of time and keep it in the freezer. Then, when ready to eat, warm up as many patties as you need in the oven, and just focus on sautéing the greens, which is super easy and quick.

Check Out My Superfood Veggie Pattie Over Sautéed Greens

Snack Is as Important to Me as the Meals

Fruit is my go-to snack. I eat 2-3 fruits a day, such as apple, banana, mango in season, grapes, nectarine in season.

Typically I eat fruit between breakfast and lunch, another fruit between lunch and dinner, and sometimes I add a fruit after dinner. I keep myself satisfied by the time I get to my meal because I don't want to overeat. Even if you eat the right things, and you eat healthy, you don't want to overeat, because that can lead to an uncomfortable feeling and gaining weight.

If I feel that I am hungry for some more snack, I will munch on some almonds, dates, and walnuts within limit due to its high-calorie content.

I mostly snack on fruit, but sometimes I feel like a cookie. I love my Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies, salty and sweet together :)

Check Out My Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies

What do I drink in a day?  

I drink a lot of water!

I drink water first thing in the morning. Then, I drink one coffee a day with oat milk, or sometimes I'll drink matcha (water-based) with a little oat milk. The rest of the day will be water, and occasionally I'll drink a glass of white wine such as chardonnay with my dinner.

I would love to hear what you think, and if this is inspiring to you
or
maybe you need help to customize your own daily meal plan?

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~~~ A little note: I'm no doctor
I'm sure you know, but I have to say it, I'm no doctor! :)

I share my personal experience and things I learn along the way to a healthy lifestyle. We should all be conscious of our health and own our bodies. What works for me (or for many) may not work for you.
Do what's right for you and when you're not sure, consult your medical provider.