Thinking of living more sustainably with a vegan diet? While it can certainly be daunting to overhaul your entire lifestyle, it will be worth it in many ways; however, you probably don’t want to quit meat, dairy, and other vital food groups cold turkey or all at once. By slowing the transition from non-vegan to vegan, you’ll set yourself up for long-term success. You can start by incorporating any one of these five food substitutes – meant to replace eggs, milk, cheese, and more – into your diet.
Jackfruit
Versatile and surprisingly cheap, jackfruit is a non-processed ingredient that you’ll often find in cans, meaning you can stock up in the cupboard. It makes a great replacement for chicken, perhaps in a stir-fry, but can also be prepared to resemble tuna.
Aquafaba
The water from a can of chickpeas is a superb substitute for egg white. It can used to make meringues, mousses, macarons, and brownies. It can even be a central ingredient in dairy free batter and sauces like mayonnaise. You may find it useful in cocktails, too!
Milk Substitute
Popular non-dairy milks include oat, hazelnut, cashew, soy, almond, and hemp. It’s also easy to make your own by soaking raw nuts, blending with water, and straining. Alternative milks not only are great subs for drinks, but also can be used in many recipes for cooking and baking.
Alternative Cheese
It's tricky to replicate the real deal, but alternative cheeses are really improving. They’re made using a variety of ingredients, including coconuts, aquafaba, nuts, and solidified vegetable oil. It’s best to opt for one fortified with vitamin B12 and calcium.
Tofu
Made from soybeans, tofu is a less-processed substitute for meat as it’s a complete protein. The firm variety is best for cooking in savory dishes, and you can use the softer types for things, like tofu scramble in place of egg, or add it to puddings and bakes.
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