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What Vegans Eat: Day 1

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What Vegans Eat: A Week of Vegan Eats

Happy Monday all, and welcome to a week-long look at what vegans eat!

I chose to adapt a vegetarian lifestyle a little over a year ago, and starting about six months ago I began eating vegan three to four days per week.  On my “vegan days,” I do not eat any animal products – meat, fish, dairy, or honey.  I am sure that for many of you this sounds challenging.  And at times, it can be.  But ultimately, I have found that not only does eating vegan make me feel great (both physically and morally), but it also means eating creative, nutritious, and delicious meals.  There are two main goals that I have for this week devoted to vegan eats: 1) to challenge myself and 2) to inspire others and prove to you that vegans eat much more than salads!  Please follow along this week as you learn more about what vegans eat.  Oh, and any questions that you may have about a vegan diet are more than welcome! 🙂

Day 1: Sunday, March 24, 2013

Breakfast

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Today’s breakfast consisted of three vegan cereals: Kashi Go Lean Original, Arrowhead Mills Puffed Corn, and Cascadian Farms Cinnamon Crunch, which I ate with Silk unsweetened vanilla almond milk.  On the side I ate a mandarin orange.

Mid-Morning Snack

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Mid-morning (okay, it was more like noon ;)), I ate a sliced banana.  It was perfectly ripe and delicious!

Lunch

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I ate a late lunch made up of an eggless salad sandwich (from The Happy Herbivore) on two pieces of toasted Ezekiel bread with lettuce and onions, a side of cooked butternut squash, and a dill pickle spear.  This is one of my absolute favorite vegan sandwiches!

Snack

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In the afternoon, I sliced up a Golden Delicious apple, which I dipped in crunchy unsalted almond butter- my new favorite nut butter!

Dinner

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I made Spaghetti Squash “Pasta” for dinner and served it with red pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, onions, sliced mushrooms, roasted broccoli and zucchini, and meatless “meatballs.”  This was an incredibly delicious and filling meal.

Snacks

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In the evening, I snacked on carrots and celery with hummus…

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…some Bruschetta lentil chips (super delicious, by the way!), and fresh cantaloupe, raspberries, and blueberries (sorry, no picture!).

And there you have it!  Day one of my vegan week of eats!

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{ 78 comments… add one }
  • Becky @ Olives n Wine March 25, 2013, 5:57 pm
    I love this post and I'm looking forward to your other posts this week. When I was 100% vegetarian/part vegan I ALWAYS had people asking me what I ate and where I got my protein. I would get so frustrated with everyone telling me I was going to waste away! I hope your posts enlighten everyone about the benefits and easiness of eating vegan! :)
  • Andrea @Pencils and Pancakes March 25, 2013, 6:05 pm
    Man I could never be vegetarian or vegan. It has always intrigued me and I tried it for a week and failed miserably. You need your protein and organic meat is soooooooo expensive. It's something to think about......nice post!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 25, 2013, 7:09 pm
      Not getting enough protein can be an issue for some people, but vegan diets can absolutely incorporate MORE than enough protein. On this particular day I got at least 50 grams of protein, which is more than recommended for my body weight.
      • Andrea @Pencils and Pancakes March 25, 2013, 7:42 pm
        Do you feel full after eating meals like this?
      • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 25, 2013, 10:15 pm
        It won't let me reply to your second post, so I will reply here. Yes, I absolutely feel full. I actually think that I overate when I ate this dinner because I was SUPER full. A lot of my meals are rich in fiber which also helps me to feel full. Plus, when eating a vegetarian/vegan diet, I can pretty much eat whenever I want and as many veggies and fruit that I want throughout the day that I never have to worry about going hungry.
    • genext13 March 25, 2013, 7:25 pm
      There is plenty of protein in plant sources. Pepitas have 34g of protein per cup. Peanut butter, other seeds and nuts have plenty. Even green, leafy veggies have protein. There are many professional athletes who are plant strong who thrive on this dietary choice.
  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance March 25, 2013, 6:24 pm
    Funny--I just tried those lentil chips last night at a friend's house. They were the sea salt variety. Very tasty. I like how light they were. Your meals all look so delicious!! Although I'm not vegan or vegetarian, we eat quite a few meals that are. :)
  • Slim Sanity (@Slim_Sanity) March 25, 2013, 6:35 pm
    Yum! I made spaghetti squash for the first time last week. recipe goes up tomorrow!
  • Simply Life (@SimplyLifeBlog) March 25, 2013, 6:38 pm
    Looks like a day of healthy foods!
  • The Vegan Grip March 25, 2013, 6:42 pm
    I love that you're showing off what vegans CAN eat! When people ask me what I eat, that's what I like to do - rather than showering them with "i don't eat this" it's a lot more fun to list everything I DO choose to eat!
  • chasingchels March 25, 2013, 6:44 pm
    This looks awesome girl! I love spaghetti squash...huge fan of mixing it with different pasta sauces and stir fries :) And that Cascadian Cinnamon Crunch is one of my favs...reminds me of Cinnamon Toast Crunch!
  • ahealthyhappyhome March 25, 2013, 6:51 pm
    Looks delicious! I've had those lentil chips before and their pretty tasty! The cereal looks like something I need to try and I'm not even a big cereal fan!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 25, 2013, 7:11 pm
      Lentil chips are definitely one of my favorite snacks! :) You should try the Cinnamon Crunch cereal. I am sure that your little one would love it, too!
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats March 25, 2013, 7:23 pm
    Yum love this post and looking forward to the rest of your posts for this week!
  • Alex @ therunwithin March 25, 2013, 7:39 pm
    this all looks really good, I always thought eating vegan would be so hard. you make it look much easier
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 25, 2013, 10:16 pm
      It has its challenges (especially when eating out at certain restaurants) but I have become really creative with my food and it is actually really fun!
  • Leigha March 25, 2013, 8:05 pm
    This makes me consider becoming vegan! I love mixing cereals too. I used to be a vegetarian and just recently started eating meat. Now I eat it most days and it's weird to imagine not getting that protein! That sandwich looks SO good. I've been planning on trying spaghetti squash for awhile now!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 25, 2013, 10:17 pm
      Most people actually eat TOO much protein. Both vegetarian and vegan diets incorporate more than enough protein into one's diet, when done right!
  • Erin March 25, 2013, 8:18 pm
    I love my meat, but I am all about eating vegetarian/vegan meals! I like a good balance..and I LOVE spaghetti squash- almost more than noodles!
  • Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness March 25, 2013, 8:51 pm
    Your day of eats looks awesome! I am excited to read about the rest of the week. Interested to know if you think you end up spending more/less time in the kitchen and with your grocery budget.
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 25, 2013, 10:18 pm
      So far I am spending around the same amount of money and time in the kitchen as when I eat mostly vegetarian. We'll see how the rest of the week plays out!
  • Kristen@Change of Pace March 25, 2013, 9:15 pm
    Do you not worry about the chemicals and stuff in your food? I am not being condescending... I am honestly curious. I tried eating a vegan diet for a little while but got worried about all the additives in vegan food like meatless meatballs, non dairy cheese, and other things. Shouldn't that be more concerning than whole foods from animals? Please don't take that the wrong way. I really am interested in why you would want to cut out whole foods and fill them with processed foods.
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 7:06 am
      My body does not handle animal protein well at all, which is a major part of the reason why I became a vegetarian. I try to get the majority of my protein sources from whole brown rice, lentils, quinoa, tempeh, tofu, beans, nuts, and vegetables, but on occasion (out of convenience) I will cook with more processed plant-based products. Unfortunately, I am not perfect, but I do my best!
  • Picky Nicky March 25, 2013, 9:55 pm
    Everything looks so varied, delicious and healthy! Congrats on being so dedicated to your life style :) Very admirable! In fact, you make me want to eat vegan everyday and not just once a week :D
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 7:35 am
      Nice! I hope to inspire people to try their best to eat vegan on occasion, even if it is only for a couple meals per week!
  • Jeremy DeHague March 25, 2013, 10:24 pm
    Okay that spaghetti squash looks amazing!!!!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 7:36 am
      I know, right?? It was GOOD!
      • Jeremy DeHague March 26, 2013, 10:42 am
        The first time i ate it i thought it was noodles! amazing what it can taste like when cooked right!!
  • Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie March 25, 2013, 10:25 pm
    I love seeing how other people eat vegan! I've been vegan for a little over a year and I love the way eating a clean plant-based diet makes me feel. And I'm more creative making vegan meals!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 8:09 am
      I am amazed by how much more creative I am in the kitchen now that I follow a vegetarian/sometimes vegan diet. It actually makes cooking fun!!
  • Khushboo Thadani (@KhushbooThadani) March 26, 2013, 12:37 am
    While eating vegan does require a bit more thought, a little creativitity can really work wonders when it comes to eating delicious foods...and you clearly showed that! I am on a Golden Delicious kick too lately- it must be their season as they have been super sweet!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 8:10 am
      I never used to like Red Delicious or Golden Delicious apples, but I am obsessed with them right now! They are so darn good!
  • Greta March 26, 2013, 12:47 am
    I'll be following this closely. I do wonder how yo eat, and everything from today looks super good!
  • Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli March 26, 2013, 2:33 am
    What a great idea to challenge yourself in the kitchen! Everything looks delicious...especially that spaghetti squash! I just finished up one I bought a week ago...yeah it was THAT big...and it's crazy, but I always forget just how good it is until I have it again! Haha!
  • Meredith March 26, 2013, 3:47 am
    Making spaghetti squash as a pasta alternative is one of my favorites! Unfortunately they don't sell it in Australia. I have missed it so much. Your day of vegan eats looked great!
  • Lillian @ Seize the Latte March 26, 2013, 6:22 am
    What a lovely array of food! I don't know if you've ever visited Oh She Glows (www.ohsheglows.com), but it's a website full of amazing vegan, whole foods-based recipes. :) Happy eating!
  • cookingfortheotherhalf March 26, 2013, 6:26 am
    Love this post! Sometimes I really miss being vegan. I adore those lentil chips!
  • Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie March 26, 2013, 8:39 am
    Your blog is so helpful because I'm not going vegan, but I am cutting out a lot of meat, so you have so many great alternatives!
  • Jennifer@knackfornutrition March 26, 2013, 8:53 am
    I do so love a perfectly ripe banana!
  • Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen March 26, 2013, 9:04 am
    Where's your desserts? ;) I love this post because it shows just how easy it can be to eat vegan. The spaghetti squash dinner looks awesome!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 12:55 pm
      Haha...to me, fruit and salty snacks ARE dessert. Not to say that I don't need froyo and chocolate now and then ;).
  • Em @ Love A Latte March 26, 2013, 9:37 am
    I’m so excited by this post!!! Your vegan food day looks fantastic – I love it all. I went vegan a few years ago. Was 100% vegan for a year then starting eat some dairy and little meat (figuring out what was best for me) and then jumped back to being 100% vegan because it makes me happiest! Great post!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 12:55 pm
      That is awesome that you listen to your body and follow a diet lifestyle that is best for you both physically and mentally :).
  • robynstar21 March 26, 2013, 10:05 am
    wow looks like a really healthy and delicious start to your week of vegan. I went completely vegan for about 6 months a couple years ago, i LOVED how great i felt but honestly it was really really hard to keep up, especially with my family and my bf all being meat eaters I often felt ridiculed or judged and had little to nothing to eat at many places. I think people are starting to be more aware of it now but especially going out to eat I think it can be difficult to maintain. But like you said, I forced myself to find many more healthy food options and I felt super great while eating that way
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 12:57 pm
      It definitely can be tough when you feel like people are judging you for your food choices. And yes, eating out is definitely challenging. I always look at the menus before I go in order to be as prepared as possible.
  • Brittany Trentham (@batrentham) March 26, 2013, 11:44 am
    we eat vegan 75% of the time. I love using spaghetti squash as spaghetti!! So good!!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 12:57 pm
      I am so glad that I started cooking with spaghetti squash this year. I was missing out before.
  • Brittany March 26, 2013, 11:56 am
    I haven't had spag squash in TOO LONG!! These eats look so good!
  • Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen March 26, 2013, 12:48 pm
    When I went vegan, the most wonderful thing about it was just how much more creative I felt in the kitchen! I have been 'vegan with benefits' for over a year now, but am starting to head in a more vegetarian direction, although most of what I cook is vegan. (I just happen to think eating yogurt helps my digestive system a bit. ;)) That spaghetti squash dish looks PHENOMENAL. I have one at home right now that is just screaming for some red sauce...
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 1:00 pm
      I am WAY more creative in the kitchen than I ever was back when I ate meat. I do not think that I would even have a food blog if I had not adopted a vegetarian/sometimes vegan diet.
  • Kim @ Cooking in the City March 26, 2013, 12:57 pm
    Yum! I'm not a vegan, or even a vegetarian, but many days my eats look just like this. Yay plants!
  • carlyjg March 26, 2013, 1:10 pm
    Wow! This seriously looks like a fantastic day of eats. I could totally hop on board... Until I thought about cheese. I don't know if I could live without a good brie ;). Really though, I'm kind of obsessed with your dinner. And I want those lentil chips. Omgggg.
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl March 26, 2013, 4:55 pm
      Cheese is a tough one for me, too! And eggs!! The lentil chips are amaaaaazing! Buy some :).
  • vegannparis March 27, 2013, 11:13 am
    I've been tempted to try out the spaghetti squash... do you think a non-vegan would like it?
  • angelaanotherbiteplease March 27, 2013, 2:50 pm
    that "egg" salad sandwich is something i have so been craving!
  • Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out March 28, 2013, 5:25 pm
    Props, girl! I love cheese waaaaaay too much to go vegan on a regular basis, but I bet these posts are going to be really helpful for people to see all of the (totally non-limiting) options for vegans!
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