Just beginning

[GoGo_JoJo]

Hi there

We're trying to move towards a more vegan diet. It's not easy as I certainly was brought up a big meat eater and do enjoy it but we're both far more health conscious now and environmentally it just doesn't work.

I'm probably going to have loads of obvious questions but the main one right now is what do I put in my tea instead of cow milk? I'm going to try other milk on my cereal etc but tea is tricky as I believe a lot of non dairy milks are sweet...?

I did do a search but couldn't find an answer. Thanks in advance!

[Hidden]

Hi there Jojo, this is a very interesting question and my advice is to try some, I like almond milk and soy milk and I love soy creams and soy based ice creams. Oat milk is a very popular alternative but I haven't tried it as I can't eat oats.

Its also very easy to make you own nut milks and we have a topic section for plant based milks, creams and butters, the advantage of making your own is its up to you what you add. The reason sugar is added is lactose is 2 simple sugars which is why sugar is added.

Here's an article that was in the Independent on World plant milk day.

independent.co.uk/extras/in...

Lots of coffee shops are offering plant based milk alternatives so this could be a good way of trying some and having a vegan latte at the same time.

You're in great company for all things plant based on here so and more questions then you just ask away.

Jerry 😊

[GoGo_JoJo in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jerry. We're going to try a few this weekend.

I've seen some of the recipes and same for butter. At this stage I'll be honest, as 2 truck drivers who've worked hard to add a lot of exercise into our lives we don't really leave a lot of time for meal prep and making from scratch at home so in the short term at least for this to work I need to be able to substitute at the supermarket shop until we're into a groove and then see what happens. So far I've been able to make dinners which claim to be 30min meals within 45to50 mins which is ok but if it becomes a chore it will be too easy to slide back. 👍

[benwl Volunteer in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Welcome to the site Jojo.

I tend to have black tea, it took a while to get used to the taste, but now I prefer it to tea with a plant milk as i can taste the flavors of the tea better.

I do have soya or oat milk in coffee though.

For breakfast I usually have overnight oats or porridge with fruit but made with water rather than milk. (thus avoiding extra calories from the milk)

For quick and healthy vegan meals, frozen and tinned ingredients are your friends. I can make a chilli from tinned tomatoes, tinned beans, frozen peppers, peas and sweetcorn in about 10 or 15 mins. When I have more time I can add fried onions and fresh veggies.

[GoGo_JoJo in reply to benwl]

Thank you. I wouldn't normally think of frozen but you're right really... and my beanburgers did use frozen spinach!

Not a big fan of porridge although the other half being Scottish can eat it at every meal 🤣 I'm going to try and stick to cereal for now and actually my two brands only have the lanolin derived vit D so for the short term will try non dairy milk with them until I find others I can eat at the crack of dawn.

[andyswarbs Volunteer in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Frozen veg are great veg

[GoGo_JoJo in reply to benwl]

So far KoKo is winning for tea. I'm going to try it on my cereal before work tomorrow. I cooked with Almond unsweetened but didnt fancy the flavour for tea or brekkie. I've got some oatly to try yet too.

[Agoodenough]

Hi it’s good to hear you are trying to move towards a vegan diet. I tend to make my own nut milks but have recently tried a milk called koko I would say it’s the closest thing to the taste of cows milk and I would say it would be good for tea and coffee. I have black tea and coffee so I haven’t actually tried it other than on its own or in porridge. I don’t think all plant milks are sweet as you can get unsweetened.

For main meals we tend to start everything with onion garlic and chilli then add vegetables and depending on the spices/herbs used turn it into chilli, curry, a tagine or sheperdless pie. The food we eat is quick and healthy so maybe if you prepped some veg if you get the chance which would put you ahead of the game or made in bulk so during the week you would only have to cook 3 times if you ate it one day and made enough for another 😊 just an idea. Have fun experimenting. Anything you get stuck with just ask 🙂. Good luck 🌱 Ali

[GoGo_JoJo in reply to Agoodenough]

Simple chopping etc is all good, I've done beanburgers from scratch and stir fry style noodle and pasta dishes. I try to keep everything quick. We're lucky as we eat a lot of veg anyway...usually 2 to 4 different veg on the plate but its just taking away that meat portion and putting something with flavour and nutrients in its place.

I'm just worried about boredom so trying to come up with interesting and tasty complete dishes to keep the enthusiasm and interest high. I'm lucky in that I shop twice a week so can keep the fresh stuff topped up. I've had a quick mooch through my old recipes and found some I can easily convert.

I suppose it's still in the experimental stage but I'm hoping we'll feel the benefits and keep the ball rolling. 🤞

[GoGo_JoJo in reply to Agoodenough]

You're right on with KoKo... think it might be the one for me if not us! 👍

[Agoodenough in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

That’s good 😀🤞

[andyswarbs Volunteer]

Pg tips do a variety suitable for plant milk. Oat milk I think is the closest.

[GoGo_JoJo in reply to andyswarbs]

Excellent! I'll look for that. I'm a pg tips person as it happens! 👍😁