In this seven-day vegetarian meal plan, we incorporate a week of delicious plant-based recipes tailored for beginners—meaning we repeat several breakfasts and lunches and try to keep dinner fairly simple. The goal is to enjoy cooking more plant-based meals at home and reap the health benefits without feeling like you're spending too much time in the kitchen.
We set this plan at 1,500 calories a day and included modifications for 1,200 or 2,000 calories a day, depending on your needs.
Easy Plant-Based Recipes for Beginners
What Is a Plant-Based Diet?
The definition of a plant-based diet is a bit vague because there's no agreed-upon official definition. For the purpose of this plan, plant-based means vegetarian, so we didn't include meat but included dairy and eggs.
For others, plant-based might mean a completely vegan diet or it might simply mean that you focus primarily on plant-based proteins and try to eat meat sparingly. Whatever it means to you, it's always a good idea to increase your vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes because they are high in fiber, an important nutrient that 95% of us don't get enough of.
Plant-Based Diet Benefits
- More fiber: Fiber plays an important role in disease prevention and regulating our digestive system. Research shows that there are a ton of health benefits to eating more fiber, like healthier body weight and a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- Weight loss: Research, like the 2021 study in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, shows that people who follow a plant-based diet tend to have lower body fat percentage and a smaller waist circumference. Plus, this high-fiber diet will help keep you full so you can lose weight, while still feeling satisfied.
- Quick-cooking and no-cook protein sources: The plant-based diet incorporates tons of healthy no-cook and easy protein sources. Dried and canned beans and lentils are healthy, shelf-stable protein options. Plus, canned beans are convenient—just drain and rise and they're ready to go. Edamame, which is a young soybean, is a healthy protein source found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Nuts, seeds and nut butters, as well as whole grains like brown rice and quinoa, are healthy and easy options as well.
How to Shop for a Plant-Based Diet
You may have heard the advice to shop around the perimeter of the grocery store to avoid eating processed foods. While it's true that the outside aisles are where you'll find produce, yogurt and tofu, there's a lot of nutritious foods to be found in the inner aisles of the grocery store. There you'll find whole grains, like quinoa, brown rice and oats, as well as dried and canned beans, nuts and seeds, and frozen fruit and vegetables. It's a good idea to stock up on canned and dried beans and lentils—they're shelf-stable and a handy pantry item to have on hand.
For protein, focus on minimally processed sources like beans, lentils, nuts and whole grains and try to limit heavily processed vegetarian proteins like soy "hot dogs" or imitation meats. They tend to be very high in sodium and don't pack the nutritional benefits compared to their less-processed plant-based options.
6 Best Tips for Eating Plant-Based on a Budget
Plant-Based Diet Foods List
- Legumes: Canned or dried, beans and lentils are an excellent source of protein and fiber.
- Nuts and seeds: Think nut butters, almonds, walnuts, flax, chia seeds and any other variety you like. When looking at nut butters, choose a natural variety to skip any additives.
- Whole grains: Higher in protein and fiber, whole grains like quinoa, oatmeal, brown rice and whole-wheat pasta are great options.
- Fruits and vegetables: Whether you buy fresh or frozen, filling up on fruits and vegetables is a great idea. Storing fruit and vegetables correctly can make them last longer.
- Soy: Tofu and edamame are both great high-protein soy options.
How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals
- Prepare Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats to have for breakfast on Days 2 through 6.
- Make to have for lunch on Days 2 through 5.
- Whip up Citrus Vinaigrette to have throughout the week.
Day 1
Cooking Tip: Making homemade salad dressing is super easy and really ups the flavor of any salad. Bonus—homemade salad dressings are a lot less expensive than their store-bought counterparts.
Breakfast (304 calories)
- 1 serving Berry-Kefir Smoothie
A.M. Snack (95 calories)
- 1 medium apple
Lunch (374 calories)
- 1 serving
P.M. Snack (206 calories)
- 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
Dinner (509 calories)
- 1 serving Beefless Vegan Tacos
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 serving Citrus Vinaigrette
Daily Totals: 1,488 calories, 55 g protein, 178 g carbohydrates, 38 g fiber, 76 g fat, 1,587 mg sodium
To make it 1,200 calories: Switch the P.M. snack to 1 medium orange and omit the salad with vinaigrette at dinner.
To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 whole-wheat English muffin with 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast and 1/4 cup dried walnut halves at A.M. snack.
Day 2
Cooking Tip: Overnight oats are the perfect breakfast for busy mornings. The basic recipe is a simple formula of 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup water, milk or non-dairy milk alternative and a pinch of salt. The flavor combinations are up to you.
Breakfast (258 calories)
- 1 serving Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats
- 1 medium orange
A.M. Snack (341 calories)
- 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 medium peach
- 3 Tbsp. slivered almonds
Lunch (332 calories)
- 1 serving
P.M. Snack (131 calories)
- 1 large pear
Dinner (458 calories)
- 1 serving Quinoa-Black Bean Salad
Daily Totals: 1,521 calories, 77 g protein, 186 g carbohydrates, 37 g fiber, 61 g fat, 1,073 mg sodium
To make it 1,200 calories: Omit the yogurt and almonds at A.M. snack and switch to a small pear at the P.M. snack.
To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 large pear to lunch, 12 dry-roasted unsalted almonds to P.M. snack and 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to lunch.
Day 3
Cooking Tip: Spinach is nutritious, easy and cooks up in a flash.
Breakfast (258 calories)
- 1 serving Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats
- 1 medium orange
A.M. Snack (95 calories)
- 1 medium apple
Lunch (463 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 large pear
P.M. Snack (274 calories)
- 1/3 cup dried walnut halves
- 1 medium peach
Dinner (419 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 (1 oz.) slice whole-wheat baguette
Daily Totals: 1,509 calories, 59 g protein, 202 g carbohydrates, 39 g fiber, 61 g fat, 1,403 mg sodium
To make it 1,200 calories: Omit the orange at breakfast and switch the P.M. snack to 1 clementine.
To make it 2,000 calories: Add 3 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to A.M. snack and 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt to P.M. snack.
Day 4
Cooking Tip: Edamame is a young soybean and is an amazing plant-based protein that packs in 17 grams of protein per cup. You'll often find it in the frozen section.
Breakfast (258 calories)
- 1 serving Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats
- 1 medium orange
A.M. Snack (206 calories)
- 1/4 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
Lunch (390 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 medium peach
P.M. Snack (124 calories)
- 3/4 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
Dinner (515 calories)
- 1 serving Greek Salad with Edamame
- 1 serving Everything Bagel Avocado Toast
Daily Totals: 1,494 calories, 82 g protein, 142 g carbohydrates, 36 g fiber, 74 g fat, 1,350 mg sodium
To make it 1,200 calories: Switch the A.M. snack to 1 clementine, omit the peach at lunch and change the P.M. snack to 1 medium bell pepper, sliced.
To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium pear to A.M. snack and add 1 medium peach plus 1 whole-wheat English muffin with 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to P.M. snack.
Day 5
Cooking Tip: Quinoa is a high-protein whole grain that provides about 8 g of protein per cup. Plus, it's easy to cook and is ready in just 15 minutes.
Breakfast (258 calories)
- 1 serving Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats
- 1 medium orange
A.M. Snack (166 calories)
- 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
Lunch (390 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 medium peach
P.M. Snack (139 calories)
- 18 dry-roasted unsalted almonds
Dinner (563 calories)
- 1 serving Quinoa Avocado Salad
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 serving Citrus Vinaigrette
Daily Totals: 1,516 calories, 74 g protein, 153 g carbohydrates, 35 g fiber, 75 g fat, 1,134 mg sodium
To make it 1,200 calories: Omit the orange at breakfast, switch the A.M. snack to 1 clementine and switch the P.M. snack to 1 medium bell pepper, sliced.
To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 medium peach and 1/4 cup dried walnut halves to A.M. snack and increase to 1/3 cup almonds plus add 1 large pear to the P.M. snack.
Day 6
Cooking Tip: Frozen ravioli, like the one we use in tonight's dinner, is a great staple because it's versatile and cooks up in a flash.
Breakfast (258 calories)
- 1 serving Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats
- 1 medium orange
A.M. Snack (178 calories)
- 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup strawberries, halved
Lunch (420 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 medium apple
P.M. Snack (131 calories)
- 1 large pear
Dinner (510 calories)
- 1 serving
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 serving Citrus Vinaigrette
Daily Totals: 1,497 calories, 59 g protein, 202 g carbohydrates, 39 g fiber, 57 g fat, 1,404 mg sodium
To make it 1,200 calories: Omit the orange at breakfast, omit the yogurt at A.M. snack and omit the apple at lunch.
To make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 1 cup yogurt and add 5 Tbsp. chopped walnuts to A.M. snack and add 1/3 cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds to P.M. snack.
Day 7
Cooking Tip: If you're new to cooking, sheet-pan dinners are a great option because there are fewer pans and side dishes that you need to manage. Plus, cleanup is a breeze!
Breakfast (304 calories)
- 1 serving Berry-Kefir Smoothie
A.M. Snack (166 calories)
- 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
Lunch (420 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 medium apple
P.M. Snack (62 calories)
- 1 medium orange
Dinner (548 calories)
- 1 serving
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 serving Citrus Vinaigrette
Daily Totals: 1,499 calories, 66 g protein, 181 g carbohydrates, 40 g fiber, 65 g fat, 1,131 mg sodium
To make it 1,200 calories: Switch the A.M. snack to 1 clementine, omit the apple at lunch and switch the P.M. snack to 1/2 cup sliced cucumber.
To make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 whole-wheat English muffin with 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast and add 1/4 cup dried walnut halves to A.M. snack.
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This article is a seven-day vegetarian meal plan that incorporates plant-based recipes tailored for beginners. The goal of the plan is to help individuals enjoy cooking more plant-based meals at home and reap the health benefits without spending too much time in the kitchen. The plan is set at 1,500 calories a day, but modifications are included for 1,200 or 2,000 calories a day, depending on individual needs.
What Is a Plant-Based Diet?
A plant-based diet is a dietary approach that focuses primarily on foods derived from plants, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The definition of a plant-based diet can vary, but for the purpose of the meal plan you shared, it means a vegetarian diet that excludes meat but includes dairy and eggs. However, for others, a plant-based diet might mean a completely vegan diet or simply focusing primarily on plant-based proteins and eating meat sparingly.
Increasing the consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes is beneficial because they are high in fiber, an important nutrient that many people don't get enough of. Fiber plays a role in disease prevention and regulating the digestive system. Research shows that eating more fiber has numerous health benefits, including maintaining a healthier body weight and reducing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease [[2]].
Plant-Based Diet Benefits
There are several benefits associated with a plant-based diet:
- More fiber: A plant-based diet is typically high in fiber, which has numerous health benefits, including maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease [[2]].
- Weight loss: Research suggests that people who follow a plant-based diet tend to have lower body fat percentage and a smaller waist circumference. The high-fiber content of a plant-based diet can help keep you full while consuming fewer calories, which may aid in weight loss [[3]].
- Quick-cooking and no-cook protein sources: Plant-based diets incorporate a variety of healthy and convenient protein sources. Dried and canned beans and lentils are healthy, shelf-stable options. Edamame, a young soybean, is a protein-rich source found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Nuts, seeds, nut butters, and whole grains like brown rice and quinoa are also healthy and easy options [[4]].
How to Shop for a Plant-Based Diet
When shopping for a plant-based diet, it is often recommended to explore both the perimeter and inner aisles of the grocery store. While the perimeter typically contains fresh produce, yogurt, and tofu, the inner aisles offer nutritious options such as whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, oats), dried and canned beans, nuts, seeds, and frozen fruits and vegetables. It's also advisable to stock up on canned and dried beans and lentils as they are shelf-stable and convenient pantry items. When choosing protein sources, focus on minimally processed options like beans, lentils, nuts, and whole grains, and try to limit heavily processed vegetarian proteins like soy "hot dogs" or imitation meats, which can be high in sodium and may lack nutritional benefits compared to less-processed plant-based options [[5]].
Plant-Based Diet Foods List
Here are some key food categories to consider when following a plant-based diet:
- Legumes: Canned or dried beans and lentils are excellent sources of protein and fiber.
- Nuts and seeds: Include varieties like almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. Choose natural nut butters to avoid additives.
- Whole grains: Opt for higher protein and fiber options like quinoa, oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-wheat pasta.
- Fruits and vegetables: Whether fresh or frozen, prioritize consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables. Proper storage can help extend their shelf life.
- Soy: Tofu and edamame are high-protein soy options commonly used in plant-based diets [[6]].
How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals
This article also provides a meal plan for seven days, including breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner. Each day's meals are listed with their respective calorie counts. The plan includes recipes and cooking tips to help with meal preparation. For example, it suggests preparing Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats for breakfast and making Citrus Vinaigrette to use throughout the week. The article also provides options to modify the meal plan for different calorie needs, such as 1,200 or 2,000 calories per day [[7]].
Please note that the information provided here is based on this article. If you have any specific questions or need further information, feel free to ask!