Vegan for Beginners
Starting a vegan diet is simpler than most people expect. The learning curve is mostly about finding your go-to meals and stocking the right kitchen basics. Once you have ten to fifteen recipes you genuinely enjoy cooking, a plant-based diet becomes as automatic as any other way of eating. These recipes are specifically chosen as good starting points — familiar flavours, simple techniques, and ingredients available in any UK supermarket.
Recipes
Tips
- Start with meals you already enjoy and make them plant-based — spaghetti with lentil bolognese, veggie curry, bean chilli.
- Learn five recipes well rather than trying ten at once. Confidence comes from repetition.
- Stock the basics: tinned chickpeas, lentils, coconut milk, tinned tomatoes, good quality spices, nutritional yeast and soy sauce cover most recipes.
Learn to Cook Plant-Based Food Properly
Our Cook Like a Pro course is 19 modules of professional plant-based cookery from Michelin-trained chefs. Step-by-step video lessons, 76 recipes, and a certificate on completion.
See Cook Like a Pro →Frequently Asked Questions
What can vegans eat? +
All vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, plant oils, plant milks (oat, soy, almond), tofu, tempeh, seitan and meat-free alternatives. The variety is genuinely extensive once you start exploring.
What do vegans avoid? +
Meat, fish, poultry, dairy (milk, butter, cheese, cream), eggs and honey. Products containing these as ingredients are also avoided — which mainly means reading labels for processed foods.
Is it expensive to eat vegan? +
No — plant-based staples (lentils, beans, oats, grains, vegetables) are consistently among the cheapest food items in any supermarket. Specialty products like vegan cheese or meat alternatives can be expensive, but they are not essential.
What nutrients do vegans need to watch? +
The main ones are B12 (supplement is essential), vitamin D (especially in the UK winter), omega-3 (from flaxseed, walnuts, or an algae supplement), iodine, calcium and iron. A varied diet with a B12 supplement covers most bases.
How long does it take to get used to a vegan diet? +
Most people find a natural rhythm within two to four weeks. The first week is mostly about learning which products to buy. By week three, most people have established a workable set of go-to meals.
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