Hi guys, today’s post is aimed at those wanting to make some healthy changes, whether you’re working towards some January goals, or taking part in Veganuary. This post is going to be some healthy vegan swaps you can make to help you achieve your goals. Some of them are aimed specifically trying to go vegan or vegetarian, but a couple of others are switching vegan options for other vegan options that could provide you with a little something extra in the nutrition department.
Lentil Pasta
Firstly, I’m talking about my bae, lentil pasta. Which you’ve seen approximately 30,000 times at this point. I’m going to keep this brief because it’s nothing new, but this is a great swap for anyone looking to get some extra protein. Each serving contains 20-25g depending on the brand, and you’re only swapping pasta for a different pasta, so you don’t need to make any crazy dietary changes. It’s great for anyone attempting Veganuary and struggling to get enough protein in. Naturally high protein, high fibre and gluten free, it’s amazing, you already know I’m obsessed with the stuff. Moving on…
Serving suggestion: high protein lentil ragu recipe.
Peanut Butter*
I’m starting this one with a little disclaimer, this item is not necessarily healthier, but could be a great substitute depending on your goals. You all know that I think getting your healthy fats in is important, and there’s nothing at all wrong with regular nut butter (unless you’re attempting to eat the jar in one sitting…).
But Peanut Hottie Powdered Peanut butter is a great option for anyone starting the new year with some fitness goals. You simply add water to the powder until you reach your desired consistency for spreading or dipping, or add it to your smoothies. It has 80% less fat than regular peanut butter but has the same amount of protein per serving, making it a good option for anyone counting macros.
Also, a great option for anyone wanting to reduce their fat intake, as peanut butter isn’t as nutritionally dense as some other butters. It’s a great option to get the flavour of the peanut butter from the Peanut Hottie version, but save the fat content for something offering you a little more nutritional value, like almond or walnut.
Hot Chocolate
It’s still winter and a hot chocolate on an evening is definitely still a cosy comforter. However, if you’re taking part in Veganuary, your old favourites are probably a no go because of the dairy content.
I spoke about the health benefits of raw cacao in my last post, so I won’t repeat myself too much here. But raw cacao contains iron, magnesium, a little calcium and manganese. Mix it with a fortified milk to get hot chocolate and you’re also getting B12, calcium and vitamin D. It’s basically a health drink…
Free From Fellows*
Sweets! Gelatine galore. I have to admit this one can be challenging for those newly transitioning. If you Google whether something is vegan, you get different ingredients in different countries and people arguing about whether something is or isn’t. You also find ingredients lists full of E numbers that you have to search for because no one has a clue what those things are half the time. It can get a bit stressful.
Free From Fellows are your friends, they have a range of gummies, from bears to cola bottles, all the classics. They also have lollipops and hard boiled sweets like pear drops as well. Some of you may recall me trying the gummy bears when I was doing my sugar free month. Yes, sugar free. They’re gelatine free (obviously), gluten free and sugar free. Even your dentist will be happy.
Chocolate
Okay, this one isn’t healthy at all, but it’s a good swap all the same. And a lot of vegan chocolate isn’t good so I consider it obligatory to talk about the ones that actually taste nice. The ones I’ve chosen today are the Fabulous FreeFrom Factory Dairy Free Chocovered Crunchee Bites. Vegan ‘honeycomb’ coated in ‘milk’ chocolate. No prizes for guessing which well known product this is trying to mimic, but it does a very good job. I chose this one because I get these from my local Co-op, a small shop in a very small town. No need to go out of your way to health shops etc to find some. If I can get them, anyone can find them.
Have you ever tried any of these products? And those of you taking part in Veganuary this year, let me know how you’re doing down below! I’d love an update.
Until next time,
Sophie
I tried lentil pasta for the first time yesterday and loved it! Such a perfect swap for anyone looking to up their protein intake. I’ve also seen a few people now use powdered peanut butter but I’ve never tried it! Peanut butter has to be one of my favourite foods as well! x
Evie x | https://eviejayne.co.uk
I would like to try the 5 healthy vegan swaps. I was not aware of lentil pasta but I would like to try it. Peanut butter powder sounds excellent for smoothies. I would love to try all the 5 items you mentioned. I love trying new things.
Geez I still haven’t tried the lentil pasta! I have to make my mom make it for me some time I never knew peanut butter could come in a powdered form, but it looks really good nevertheless! Thank you for sharing Sophie 🙂
Geraldine | https://geraldinetalks.com
I adore everything about this blog post! I love that you have shared so many yummy products that can help someone who wants to switch to the vegan diet. Thanks for sharing lovely!
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
what a great post! i’ve mentioned before that i’m not vegan or vegetarian but it’s really helpful that you provided options for those who want to have something healthier or are transitioning. I think it’s really nice that you included options for actual meals but also things that can be used as a treat like the chocolates. they sound yummy and i’m sure they’re at least a little healthier then your regular hershey bar. xx
mich / simplymich.com
This is a great post for me to read right now as I am trying to be healthier this month after all the Christmas calories! I love that you have included sweets and chocolate in the post too. The honeycomb chocolate sounds delicious and I have a Co-Op just over the road from me so win win, I need to give these a try when I’m next craving some choc. Also, apples and peanut butter look like the tastiest snack. Thanks for the inspiration Sophie! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
I have never seen powdered peanut butter before it looks really interesting!
Where can you get the Free from Fellows sweets? xx
Thanks for reading! Lots of places! I’ve seen them in Sainsbury’s, my local health food shop and my chemist sells them too. Places like Holland & Barrett usually have some as well x
Can you believe I’ve never tried lentil pasta? I don’t know why because you always make such delicious looking recipes and meals with it so I have no excuse! It’s going on this week’s shopping list now. As a peanut butter mega fan I’m very intrigued by the Peanut Hottie Powdered Peanut butter, especially as it’s got so much less fat than normal. I love peanut butter and celery so this is an easy swap to make, thank you for the recommendation! xx
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
This such a helpful post and I will definitely be trying some of these out! I’ve never thought of having peanut butter and apple but I will be trying that out asap!
Sara
Last year, I loved the recipe for chickpea salad that you shared. I make it at least once a week. This year too, I will be following your blog to get some really healthy food. Thanks for sharing those yummy vegan recipes.
Love,
Anjali
http://www.laughingmirror.com
Oh I’m really intrigued by the peanut butter powder – what an interesting idea! We go through peanut butter often in this house, haha!
Hope that your week is going well! We are in the middle of another summer heatwave here in Australia!
Away From The Blue Blog
I’m going to try all of these, I’m just vegetarian but don’t like cheese or normal milk so end up eating vegan a lot anyway 🙂 and these look so good, especially the peanut butter!!
Jenny |
Hot chocolate in the winter is an absolute must have!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I wish I had the strength and motivation to do veganuary! I don’t think I could do it without going vegetarian first though. I really like the sound of the peanut butter powder!
Kayla ♥︎
I need to try lentil pasta. Pasta is a babe and I’m addicted to it haha!
I’ve never tried lentil pasta but this look so good! Definitely going to have to give it a go.
I’m loving seeing posts like this – easy and simple swaps make a more plant based lifestyle so much more achievable.
Amy x
http://www.whatamysays.com
I love this post. I’m trying to be a bit healthier, I’m not taking part in Veganuary but I am vegetarian now and I’ve been very much enjoying a lot of new recipes! I’ve been trying to find more things with protein as I’m not eating much with a lot of protein in at the moment and I’m feeling pretty tired all the time – I’m not saying that’s entirely due to cutting out meat, but it could be a factor towards it. Although there’s tons out there to help me with getting all the things my body needs anyway!! The sweets sound great, a lot of big super markets have some good vegan sweets and chocolates in now, I haven’t tried vegan chocolate yet though, although I did really eat chocolate anyway so that’s probably why haha.
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
I love this post! How have I never ever heard of lentil pasta before?! I must say, apple and peanut butter together is so under rated, such a beautiful snack! Off to go try lentil pasta now….
Kayleigh xx
http://www.veryberrycosmo.co.uk
I’m sitting here trying to remember trying lentil pasta before – I know I’ve tried it before but I’m not sure why I stopped eating it?? You had me at protein! I’m always trying to see what foods to eat to have more protein in my system – since I run and exercise a lot, protein is one thing I have to make sure I get enough of!
HAHA attempting to eat the jar in one sitting imagine eating a WHOLE jar of peanut butter with celery oh god I’d probably be sick within .5 seconds haha
HOT CHOCOLATE! I usually have it with a mix of cashew & almond milk as homemade cashew milk has a very heavy consistency and some cocoa powder and TADA hot chocolate heaven.
One thing I love is the gelatin free candies – for me I can’t have anything that contains gelatin (as it’s usually pork gelatin) – I even found gelatin free marshmallows a few weeks ago and I! was! so! happy!
I haven’t tried any of these products but at this point I have the magical butters from your last post + Free from Fellows candies to order!
Sahara
http://saharas-dreams.blogspot.com
Oh this is so helpful, I’ll definitely bookmark it for later! I love to make little vegan swaps wherever I can, and I’m already a big fan of Peanut Hottie!
Emily from http://emilyunderworld.co.uk x
Now that I’m living on my own at university I have so much more freedom with what I eat, I’m vegetarian and hoping to take the plunge to veganism by the end of the year. The lentil pasta looks amazing and is definitely one I’l have to try out myself.
Dalal
dalaltahira.com
These sound like amazing swaps, I haven’t tried lentil pasta before but it sounds great. I really like the peanut butter, its so easy to make
Mel | Moonlight Mel
Cacao is still something I need to try although I always try to have organic cocoa in my pantry. I love apples as a dessert option; I’ve lost my sweet tooth the last few months, but when I get a craving for something sweet, gala apples are my go-to x
I’m a huge fan of lentil pasta. I noticed about 8 -10 years back that gluten and regular pasta didn’t sit well with me and once I found lentil pasta I never looked back. I love making vegan pesto and incorporating that with lentil pasta. Love your blog. Subscribing!
I MUST try your lentil pasta recipe! I keep saying that I will and I have a bag of lentils in my cupboard just asking to be used. Also those chocolate bites and the peanut butter powder look so good! I may start getting the powder for my smoothies!
Jas xx | https://thoughtsfromjasmine.co.uk
I’ve been contemplating lentil pasta a while. Does it taste much different?