Get ready to swap out animal products with these flavorful and simple to prepare plant-based foods.
Need help figuring out some easy substitutes for animal-based foods? We’ve got you covered. Eating plant-based is simple, affordable, and just plain tasty. Research even shows that a plant-based diet can help with heart disease, diabetes, and weight loss. Whatever your reason is for looking for animal product substitutions, get your shopping list ready and check out our 5 easy swaps below!
Tofu
Looking for a substitute for chicken? Tofu is a great choice. Tofu is known for being a good source of protein. It contains all nine essential amino acids and is a healthy source of iron, calcium, manganese, and phosphorous. Tofu is also versatile; you can make “chicken nuggets” for the kids at home or vegan fried chicken for your friends and family. At the supermarket, tofu can be bought in different forms, from soft to extra-firm depending on what recipe you’re making. Did you know? Tofu can also be used as an egg substitute for quiches and scrambles. The options are endless!
Mushrooms
I bet you’re not surprised to see mushrooms on our list! Mushrooms are increasingly popular as a meat alternative because of their dense, meaty texture when cooked. There’s also a variety of them: portobello, shitake, white button, and porcini are all great options for making burgers, tacos, and even “mushroom steak.” Mushrooms contain selenium, a rich antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and protects the body from aging.
Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a large, green and spiky fruit that comes from southern India and the rainforests of Malaysia. It has a stringy consistency, which has led many to swap it for shredded chicken and pulled pork. As for taste, it’s similar to pineapple when eaten raw and neutral when cooked (so you can easily marinate for whichever flavor you choose!). Benefits of eating jackfruit include high doses of Vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber.
Seitan
Another delicious substitute for meat, seitan is a food made from wheat gluten and is known for having a savory taste. A hearty source of protein, one 3-ounce serving of seitan contains between 15 and 21 grams. At the grocery store, seitan is usually pre-packaged (although it’s easy to make your own!) and is a low-cost alternative for creating dishes such as BBQ seitan skewers (which I personally recommend, you can find the recipe here).
Almond milk
Known for being low in calories and full of nutrients, almond milk is an excellent alternative to regular dairy milk. It’s especially low in sugar and high in Vitamin E. One ounce provides 37% of the daily Vitamin E requirement. You can also make your own almond milk at home. According to this, it takes only two ingredients, 10 minutes, and a blender! Almond milk is versatile and can be used for smoothies, cereals, and breakfast oatmeal.
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Want to learn more? Check out plant-based recipes from our corporate partners (including buffalo cauliflower bites with creamy ranch dressing) and for all you bacon lovers, these tasty plant-based bacon products are as good as their pork counterparts. Eating plant-based has never been easier. We encourage you to continue to seek and try out new foods!