Labels, love them or hate them: I’m proud to call myself plant-based, aka vegan. I don’t eat animal products, nor “processed” foods (I put processed in quotes because it’s a broad term). My home pantry is full of whole foods like: nuts, seeds, and grains. My refrigerator is filled with fruits, vegetables, and many pickled concoctions that I make to mitigate food waste, but also to create gut-friendly foods.
In this article I bring you everything vegan I eat in a day. Think of this as a glimpse into my entire plant-based life that I hope can be inspirational to you!
The first is the first. I follow a whole food plant-based diet, which means I eat minimally processed foods. Additionally, I am “vegan,” which means I do not consume animal products. I like to emphasize the whole foods, plant-based aspect because it is the healthiest way to eat, because believe me, there is such a thing as a bad vegan diet. There is an overwhelming amount of highly processed vegan food options; be careful.
Early in the morning
Water with lemon and Celtic salt
Every morning I get out of bed and go to the kitchen to get filtered water. But this is not just any water. I add Celtic salt and fresh lemon. This is a great way to jump-start my system, optimize hydration, and balance my gut.
Coffee
Organic Espresso with Homemade Nut Milk
After I’ve worked on my hydration, I head straight to my espresso machine. I live for a strong American! I always use organic dark roast beans, make 4 shots, and steam homemade nut milk. Typically, my Americans are topped off with honey and a pinch of cinnamon.
Breakfast
Curried tofu scramble with olives and avocado or red fruit smoothie with HUM Core Strength Powder
Depending on my mood, my breakfast routine alternates between two constants: a tofu scramble or a berry smoothie. Let’s start with the shake for lighter active days.
I put a cup or two of frozen organic berries in the blender with hemp milk. Next, I add a scoop of HUM Core Strength Protein Powder and a scoop of organic almond butter.
On a more intense training day, and when time permits, I like to make curried tofu with avocado toast. I simply squeeze the moisture out of the tofu block and then mash it with a fork. Next, I add curry powder, various herbs and spices and mix it with a little organic avocado oil.
Lunch
Roasted vegetables with quinoa
For lunch, I like to keep it light so as not to overwhelm my digestive system, especially at work! On Sundays I cook a large batch of quinoa in vegetable broth and mix it with vegetables throughout the week. For a quick on-the-go lunch, I’ll add a half cup of quinoa with roasted vegetables and drizzle tahini on top.
Sandwich
Apple with almond butter or vegetables with hummus
I’m not a big snacker, but it’s important to maintain healthy calories throughout the day when I’ve exercised a lot. I like to opt for an organic apple with a tablespoon of almond butter.
If I’m in a tastier mood, I’ll eat organic veggies with homemade hummus!
Dinner
Chickpea pasta with tomato sauce or vegan pizza and salad
There’s nothing better than a warm, hearty dinner in the fall. Before the New York City Marathon, I like to prepare larger, nutrient-dense dinners with pasta or pizza; all homemade of course.
My family and I started a pizza night tradition several years ago and I really liked it. Top tip: buy fresh dough from your local bakery! I use organic pizza sauce and layer lots of vegan cheese on top. A salad is a must to get my daily greens, topped with vinegar!
Dessert (if any!)
Hot chocolate or popcorn
I’m not a sweets person, but every once in a while I really crave something sweet and salty, like a vegan chocolate chip cookie or ice cream from Salt & Straw. At home I keep it simple with homemade organic popcorn with a little coconut oil and a pinch of sea salt. Or I make it a sweeter night and cook up nut milk with cocoa powder and maple syrup for a cup of hot chocolate.
The ONLY supplement I can’t live without
As someone who eats primarily plants, it’s important to get a boost of vitamin B12 in my diet. This helps with brain function, supports blood and nerve cell health, and prevents megaloblastic anemia. So, this is my go-to for not being able to live without a supplement!
Every day I try to consume a lot of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, I strive to eat seasonally to not only support farmers, but also to make it better for the body. Remember that each person is different and you should eat according to your needs! When I’m training for a marathon, my daily diet looks one way and when I’m in a softer, less cardio-driven block of my life, I eat softly and less carb-driven. But let’s be honest, I’ve never met a raw carb I didn’t like! Happy eating, vegans!
