Top Ten Vegan Nutrition Tips

Sassy’s Top Ten Vegan Nutrition Tips
Source: http://www.vegancoach.com/nutrition-for-a-vegan.html

Tip #1
Water
Topping the list is water and water-rich foods. Water helps your body to stay hydrated so it can perform at its optimum. Feeling tired? Drink some water — you just might be dehydrated (most people are!). Water helps to lubricate the pipes, so to speak. Read more »

Tip #2
Vegetables
Most people love veggies — there’s so many to choose from you’re bound to find some favorites. But if you’re one of those people who just despise vegetables, might I recommend you give it another go — try different cooking techniques, find a new veggie you’ve never tried before, use different flavorings. Read more »

Tip #3
Dark Leafy Green Vegetables
Because it’s so vital that you add dark green leafies in that they get their very own place in my Top 10. I’m talking about kale, Swiss chard, greens such as beet greens, collards, and mustard and turnip greens, and spinach, just to name a few. Read more »

Tip #4
Whole Grains
When many people think of grains, the first thing that comes to mind is usually rice. I adore brown rice and eat it often. But it’s important to mix it up a little for some variety. If you’re stuck in a rice rut, investigate the different grains available, like quinoa, millet, barley, or buckwheat. Read more »

Tip #5
Beans
Beans are a tremendous source of the whole-food protein we need. It took me many years of purchasing canned beans (very occasionally, by the way) before I discovered how easy and cheap it is to just make your own beans from scratch. Now, beans are a part of my weekly vegan menu planning. Read more »

Tip #6
Fruit
Crunchy apples, cold grapes, juicy peaches, melt-in-your-mouth strawberries — who doesn’t love FRUIT? Packed with water and fresh raw nutrients, they’re a vital part of the vegan diet. Eat them on their own, or mix into a delicious and refreshing smoothie.

One basic rule of fruit: Try not to mix fruit with other foods, to derive the most benefit. Read more »

Tip #7
RAW Vegan Foods
Raw foods provide some powerful nutrients and enzymes that your body craves. You don’t have to become a raw foodist to enjoy raw foods. But it’s extremely important to include some raw vegan foods when planning your vegan meals. It’s easier than you think. Read more »

Tip #8
Nuts and Seeds
Your body needs healthy fats to function properly. And some of the best sources for healthy fats come from nuts and seeds, which you should try to have every day. Not only is it important to actually eat them, but it’s important to eat those that will provide you the most well-rounded healthy fats. Read more »

Tip #9
Choose Oil Carefully and Use Sparingly
There are some people who shun oils. If that is you, then you can ignore the rest of this tip.

If you DO use oils in your cooking, it’s important to avoid those that can tilt the nutritional balance out of your favor.

There’s a bit of an epidemic these days — people tend to eat far too much of the oils that can cause damage inside their body; namely, refined oils.

Is it best to avoid all oil in your diet?

Studies seem to say it’s a good idea to eliminate oils because they are basically empty calories. So the following advice is to help you make it through until you can say goodbye to oils for good. Read more »

Top #10
Opt for Whole Foods
Not the grocery store, but “whole foods”! —Ed.
Cooking with and eating whole foods really helps to just completely take the guesswork out of proper vegan nutrition. Every time you choose whole foods over anything that’s pre-packaged you’re ahead of the game. Most of your time in the grocery store should be spent in the produce section and the bulk section. Read more »

Sassy says, congratulations! You made it all the way through.

There’s lots more at the Vegan Coach site that will answer loads of your important questions, and steer you in the right direction whether you are new to this lifestyle or been enjoying it for awhile.

Have fun.