What Foods Can I Eat on a Plant-Based Diet? | Green Chef (2024)

A Plant-Based Diet Shopping List

If you’re wondering what to put in your grocery cart, have no fear. We’ve put together shopping lists for each of the most common plant based diets. It’s really quite simple when you think of it this way: everyone can eat vegan! Let’s start, then, with a vegan diet grocery list that can be the baseline for all vegetarian diet foods list:

  • Fruits: apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, bananas, etc. Choose in-season fruits, and opt for frozen fruit for smoothies.
  • Vegetables: fresh or frozen, nutrient packed vegetables are the base of the vegan diet food pyramid. Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier!
  • Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber. Oats, quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, and bulgur are hearty and satisfying options.
  • Healthy fats: avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil etc.
  • Legumes: including green peas, chickpeas, beans, lentils, peanuts, and natural peanut butter.
  • Seeds, nuts, nut butters: almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, tahini…when choosing nut butters, choose natural and unsweetened kinds.
  • Plant-based milks: soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk, etc. Opt for unsweetened varieties.
  • Plant-based protein: tofu, seitan, and vegan protein powders.

These vegan diet foods belong on every plant-based diet shopping list, no matter which variety of plant-based diet you choose. One thing to keep in mind: stay away from overly processed or “junk” foods. Potato chips and sugar are technically vegan but aren’t going to help you move toward a healthier life.

What Foods Can I Eat on a Plant-Based Diet? | Green Chef (2024)

FAQs

What Foods Can I Eat on a Plant-Based Diet? | Green Chef? ›

A vegan diet relies heavily on whole grains, fiber rich veggies and fruits, as well as heart-healthy nuts and oils. It can be difficult for vegans to get enough protein and calcium, so the vegan diet tends to include a lot of lentils, chickpeas, beans, and tofu.

What foods are allowed on a plant-based diet? ›

Plant-based or plant-forward eating patterns focus on foods primarily from plants. This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans.

Can you eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

Can I eat pasta on a plant-based diet? ›

Pasta dishes make an excellent option for those adhering to a plant-based diet for several reasons. To start, pasta is a natural plant-based food made simply from grain, and it is also and easy food to incorporate other plant-based foods into, like veggies and beans.

Can I eat pizza on a plant-based diet? ›

You may think that because cheese is not vegan, those who don't eat meat or animal products cannot enjoy a good pizza. But, this simply isn't true! There are many vegan options at restaurants these days, including pizzerias. If you follow a vegan diet, here's what you should know about finding your new favorite pizza.

Can you eat bananas on a plant-based diet? ›

Foods like olive oil, bleached flour, refined sugar and white rice, even though they are plant-based, are all processed foods and are not included in a WFPB diet. Plant-based means that the food you eat comes from plants, including: Fruits – apples, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, bananas, mango.

Can you eat potatoes on a plant-based diet? ›

Potatoes are loaded with Vitamin C, most B vitamins, potassium, fiber, and more. Potatoes absolutely can be part of a healthy plant-based diet! We love to enjoy potatoes in plenty of plant-based recipes from pizza to lasagna to soups, and more!

What are 30 plant-based foods? ›

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, eggplant, lemons, lettuce, green beans, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, corn, Swiss chard, celery, beets, onions, cauliflower, cherries, bananas, mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, ...

What is the downside of a plant-based diet? ›

While a well-balanced plant-based diet can provide a wide range of nutrients, certain essential nutrients are more abundant in animal-derived foods. Plant-based diets can sometimes lead to nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Can I eat cheese on a plant-based diet? ›

Following a plant-based diet means saying goodbye to all animal products — including lean meat and dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream.

Can I eat bread on plant-based diet? ›

Vegans can eat bread that does not contain animal products or byproducts. This includes breads that only use some variation on flour, water, yeast, and salt including ciabatta, baguette, focaccia, sourdough, pita, and ezekiel breads.

What are the 30 plant-based foods? ›

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, eggplant, lemons, lettuce, green beans, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, corn, Swiss chard, celery, beets, onions, cauliflower, cherries, bananas, mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, ...

Can I eat potatoes on a plant-based diet? ›

The Five Food Groups

Fruits: Any type of fruit including apple, bananas, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits, etc. Vegetables: Plenty of veggies including peppers, corn, lettuce, spinach, kale, peas, collards, etc. Tubers: Starchy root vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, and cassava (aka yuca).

Is bread OK on plant-based diet? ›

At its core, a bread recipe contains four simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast — a type of microscopic fungus used to help bread rise. Therefore, the simplest form of bread is vegan. However, some types include additional ingredients like sweeteners or fats — both of which can be of animal origin.

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