5 plant-based ingredient swaps
- plantfulhabit
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 28
Considering a switch to plantful eating? The easiest way to try it out is by swapping out key ingredients in your favorite meals. Maybe it will help you adopt Meatless Mondays or a full plantful habit in your family: great for you, animals, and the environment.
What are you aiming for?
As we discuss elsewhere on the site ("Defining terms: plantful, whole-food plant-based, vegan", "Why plant-based?"), it's important to know your goals and constraints.
💪 Are you wanting to turn around your health and lose weight? Head straight to whole food, plant-based eating (check out reading recommendations)!
🐄 Are you primarily trying to eliminate animal products? Easy vegan eating might be right up your alley.
In our plantful kitchen, you'll find both. We got into plant-based eating for health reasons but are now happy vegans with busy schedules and a young family, so we still prefer delicious whole foods but enjoy occasional easy vegan foods for convenience.
Ingredient swaps
❌ Instead of this... | 🍱 Try that! (easy vegan) | 🌱 Try that! (WFPB) |
Meat | Beyond Meat burgers, ground beef, meatballs, sausage, breakfast sausage, steak, and chicken | Forks over Knives veggie burgers, plant balls, and brats |
Fish | Gardein f'sh fillets, cr'b cakes | It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken vegan california roll sushi |
Milk | Oatly milk, chocolate milk, creamer | Epicurious homemade soy milk Almond Cow milk maker machine (affiliate link) |
Cheese and butter | Violife shredded cheese, cream cheese, plant butter, dips | Noracooks cashew cheese, tofu cream cheese |
Pizza | Banza vegan roasted veggie pizza | PlantYou flatbread pizza, cheese-less pizza |
Making the switch
The journey to plant-based eating doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Start with these simple swaps in your favorite recipes and see how your body responds. You might notice more energy, better digestion, or simply the satisfaction of making choices aligned with your values.
Remember that perfection isn't the goal – progress is. Whether you're swapping ingredients for one meal a week or completely transforming your kitchen, every plant-based choice makes a difference for your health and the planet.
Ready to go beyond these basic swaps? Check out our recipe collection for complete plant-based meals that will satisfy everyone at your table—from curious beginners to committed vegans.
What plant-based swap will you try first?
Peace, love, and plants,
John & Heather
