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If you’re transitioning to a vegan lifestyle or simply want to add more plant-based products to your diet, you might be wondering where to start. The good news is that there are vegan versions of just about everything these days, from cheese and milk to ice cream and chocolate.
To help you fill your pantry with vegan essentials, we’ve put together a list of products that you can use to make delicious vegan meals, snacks, and desserts. We’ve also included a few helpful tips to make your vegan shopping trip a breeze.
So whether you’re a vegan beginner or a plant-based pro, be sure to check out our ultimate vegan shopping list.
The Vegan Food Pyramid (What you should eat)
While there are no hard and fast rules to the foods you should be eating the vegan food pyramid gives you a general idea of the best foods to eat for a healthy vegan diet.
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So now that you know which types of foods you should have in vegan diets here are a few popular choices in each food group!
Pantry Essentials
No matter if you’re a vegan or omnivore, there are a few basic items that every kitchen pantry needs. These items are the foundation of any good meal, and they’ll come in handy whether you’re whipping up a quick snack or a gourmet feast. So what are some of these pantry essential items?
Here’s a quick list:
Grains:
oats, quinoa, millet, barley brown or white rice, farro, wild rice, basmati & jasmine rice
Legumes
edamame – whole bean, lentils, black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, white beans, refried beans tempeh, tofu
Pasta:
soba noodles, whole wheat pasta, spelt pasta
Nuts & Seeds
walnuts, chia seeds, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, pistachios, pecans, cashews
Dried Fruits:
raisins, dates, cranberries, mango, coconut flakes, apricots, bananas
Oils:
coconut, grapeseed, olive, avocado
Spices:
herbs, sea salt, basil, parsley, mint,
Flours:
almond, buckwheat, spelt, oat, cornmeal
And if you need help with organizing your pantry, check out this blog for a few of our best tips!
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Fruits & Veggies
There’s no denying that fruits and vegetables are packed full of nutrients that are essential for our health. But what about people who follow a vegan diet? Are there certain fruits and vegetables that are more essential for them? The answer is yes! While all fruits and vegetables are good for you, some are particularly important for vegans that provide key nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that don’t get from animal products.
Here are some of the essentials:
Veggies
dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, and Swiss chard), cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower), and soy products.
Fruits
oranges, apples, bananas, berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries)
(Note: These fruits can be enjoyed fresh or frozen however it’s always recommended eating fresh fruits and veggies in order to take advantage of all the nutrients)
Vegan Meat and Dairy Alternatives
If you’re new on your vegan journey, then the idea of completely cutting our some non-vegan favorites like hamburgers, ice cream, eggs, pizza and more can leave you depressed and full of FOMO. Luckily, there are more vegan options available than ever before. And with the rise of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives like , it’s easier than ever to find delicious vegan versions of your favorite foods.
Here are a few staples you’ll want in your fridge!
Meat:
Tofu, Seitan, Tempeh, Quorn, Gardein
Dairy:
Almond milk, Soy milk, Coconut milk, Rice milk, Nutritional yeast, vegan ice cream, eggs
Popular Vegan Meat and Dairy Alternative Brands:
- Beyond Meat
- Oatly (Oat Milk)
- Nutritional Yeast
- So Delicious (Non-Dairy Ice Cream)
- Gardien
- Just Eggs
- House Foods (Tofu)
And many that can be found locally or on online grocery stores!
Sauces and Condiments
If you’re vegan, you know that it can be hard to find condiments and sauces that fit your diet. But never fear – there are plenty of delicious vegan condiments and sauces out there, you just have to know where to look.
Here are some vegan sauces and condiments to keep as staples to liven up your meals at anytime without compromising your ethical principles!
- Tomato sauce
- Vegetable broth
- Diced tomatoes
- Nut butter: peanut butter, almond butter, etc.
- Jam and jelly
- Sauerkraut
- Pickles
- Olives
Vegan Snacks, Sweets & Treats
There’s no need to give up your favorite snacks just because you’re vegan! There are plenty of delicious vegan options out there, from decadent chocolate, cookies, to salty potato chips.
Check out a few you might want to add on your grocery list!
- Vegan chocolate bars (Lilys sweets)
- Vegan cookies ( Tates Vegan Cookies)
- Vegan ice cream (So Delicious Dairy Free Cashew Milk)
- Vegan candy (Yes Sour Patch Kids is Vegan!)
Vegan Toiletries & Cleaning Products
So you’ve transitioned to a vegan diet, but now you’re looking f you’re looking to fully embrace the vegan lifestyle. Lucky for you, there is an ever-growing selection of vegan toiletries and cleaning products on the market, making the switch easier than ever. Plus, using vegan products is a great way to support companies that are working to be more sustainable.
Here are some great vegan household products you can add to your shopping list to get you started:
- Body Washe Dr.Bronner’s Magic Soaps
- Makeup + Face Wash Milk Cosmetics
- Cleaning Product: Method
- Hand Soap Mrs. Meyers Clean Day
- Deodorant Tom’s of Maine
See the Savings in Your Shopping Cart with Carrot
So there you have it. The ultimate vegan shopping list, complete with all the plant-based staples you need to whip up vegan versions of all your favorite dishes and stock your home with everyday vegan-friendly products. Now that you have your vegan shopping list for beginners, make things even easier shopping by adding Carrot to your web browser.
Carrot is a chrome extension that helps with comparison shopping, creating collections, organizing your carts, tracking prices, and notifying you when there’s a price drop. So when you are ready to check out, you can conveniently find all your carts in one place.
So, get to shopping and saving with Carrot today.