Vegan Transition Suggestions

Whether you’ve decided to adopt a plant-based diet or go vegan for health reasons, environmental reasons, ethical reasons or a combination of these (or others..OR you just want to try some plant-based alternative foods), this page can provide you with some helpful ideas. The PACKAGED FOODS listed aren’t health foods(i.e., fruits, vegetables, nuts & seeds), but for the most part are better than their animal based alternatives and provide good options (as in.. they taste very good) to satisfy an old craving or to share with friends and family, and can help get to the next step of healthier eating.

For healthier long-term change suggestions, see the
READING and WEBSITE sections below.

Check our Business Directory to see where you can buy these, and other healthier products.

SHORT VIDEOS: HOW & WHY TO TRANSITION TO A VEGAN LIFESTYLE

Ed Winters is a vegan educator, public speaker and content creator, widely known for his viral debates, speeches, and video essays. https://earthlinged.org/

Dr. Sailesh Rao has over three decades of professional experience and is the Founder and Executive Director of Climate Healers, a non-profit dedicated towards healing the Earth’s climate.

PACKAGED FOODS

Beyond Meat – Beyond Burger

(Tip: Season with cracked pepper/your favorite spices)


Beyond Meat – Beyond Sausage

(Tip: Perfect for BBQ or stovetop)


Beyond Meat – Beyond Beef

(Tip: Use for meatballs, spaghetti bolognese, tacos, nachos, pizzas, etc.)


Gardein – Meatless Meatballs

(Tip: Use for subs or pasta)


Gardein – Fishless Filets

(Tip: Mix vegan mayo with sweet relish for dipping)


Yves – Breaded Chick’n Burgers

(Tip: Cook on stovetop or in oven till crispy)


Yves – Breaded Veggie Nuggets

(Tip: Cook on stovetop or in oven till crispy)


Yves – Veggie Turkey Deli Slices


Yves – Veggie Bologna Deli Slices


Yves – Veggie Salami Deli Slices


Applewood – Smoky Cheese Block

(Tip: Add it to a Yves Deli slice sandwich!)


Field Roast – Chao Cheese Slices

(Tip: Perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, or any sandwich!)


Daiya – Monterey Jack Block

(Tip: Great for slicing or grating.)


Daiya – Medium Cheddar Block

(Tip: Great for slicing or grating.)


Violife – Creamy Original Spread

(Tip: Spread on your favorite toasted bagel)


Daiya – Dairy Free Yogurt

(Tip: Try the cherry first. Unless you don’t like cherries 😉 )


Silk – Dairy Free Yogurt

(Tip: Add some fresh berries/frozen cherries, walnuts/almond slivers for a tasty snack)


Ripple – Dairy Free Milk


Ripple – Dairy Free Chocolate Milk


Silk – Organic Soy, Unsweetened


Silk – Dairy Free Creamer

(Tip: Add to coffee or recipes calling for cream)


Earth Island – Vegenaise Mayo Spread

(Tip: Use as you would any mayonnaise type spread)


Hellmann’s – Vegan Mayo

(Tip: Use as you would any mayonnaise spread. Tastes the same)


Earth Island – Creamy Garlic Dressing


JUST – Folded Egg

(Tip: Make it in the toaster!)


Earth Island – Plant Based Egg

(Tip: Make as you would scrambled or fried egg)


Earth Balance – Buttery Spread

(Tip: Use as you would any butter spread)


Tofutti – Sour Cream

(Tip: Stir well before using)


So Delicious – Coco Whip


Ben & Jerry’s – Non Dairy Ice Cream


Haagen Dazs – Non Dairy Ice Cream


Haagen Dazs – Non Dairy Bars


Magnum – Non Dairy Bars


Nestle – Non Dairy Drumstick


Nestle – Non Dairy Drumstick


Daiya – New York Cheezecake

(Tip: Top with berries or pie filling)


PC – Chocolate Cheesecake-style dessert

(Tip: Top with berries or pie filling)


Belsoy – Dark Chocolate Pudding

(Caramel flavour is also good. Try the others)


Voortman – Chocolate Chip Cookie

(Tip: Don’t eat them all at once 🙂 )


READING SUGGESTIONS

Dr. Greger – How Not To Die



Dr. Barnard – Reversing Diabetes


Dr. Barnard – Your Body In Balance


Dr. T. Colin Campbell – The China Study


Dr. Graham – 80/10/10


Brendan Brazier – Thrive


Robert Cheeke & Matt Frazier – Plant-Based Athlete


Robert Cheeke & Vanessa Espinoza – Plant-Based Muscle


Rich Roll – Finding Ultra


Scott Jurek – Eat & Run


WEBSITE SUGGESTIONS

THE VEGAN SOCIETY – why go vegan?

FORKS OVER KNIVES – Beginner’s Guide To A Plant-Based Diet

VEGANBOOTCAMP.org – Vegan Bootcamp is a free challenge website that will take you step-by-step towards a Vegan diet and lifestyle (click “Courses” from their menu once on the website)

NUTRITIONFACTS.org – Health & Nutrition Videos By Dr. Greger

PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISEASE REVERSAL AND PREVENTION – an open-access peer-reviewed journal

PUBMED.GOV – search biomedical & life sciences literature

BOSH! RECIPES

FATFREE VEGAN KITCHEN – delicious oil-free recipes

HAPPY HERBIVORE – easy vegan recipes

RABBIT AND WOLVES – vegan comfort food recipes

FEASTING ON FRUIT – awesome dessert recipe ideas

LIVEKINDLY – The latest in vegan & plant-based news stories

SURGE – surgeactivism.org (co-founder Earthling Ed)

WE ANIMALS MEDIA – bringing visibility to hidden animals worldwide through compelling photography & film


LEARN ABOUT VEGOTTAWA MEMBERSHIP HERE