What I typically eat in a day as a Vegan.

Last year I made the decision to transition into being vegan due to health reasons and it has made a huge difference in my life. It was a decision that I was looking at short term, like 6 months, but as I began to do more research I can honestly say that I will probably make this a lifestyle because I feel so much better and my health issues have disappeared. I do realize that being a vegan is not an interest for everyone and I am cool with that. My teenage son has his own fitness and dietary goals and he is NOT a vegan, so I still prepare our meals together and it works out fine. I will share with you that in the beginning it was very hard for me and I even went through a time when all I wanted to eat was potatoes, but I pressed on and so with that being said I have been asked questions from friends, family, and my internet friends on what DO I eat and so today I decided to spend a little time sharing with you what I typically eat in a day as a vegan:

Monday through Friday I usually begin my day at 5:15 A.M. when my alarm goes off and the first thing I do is have a cup of lemon water.

Sometimes it is warm and sometimes it is not…it really just depends on how I feel. Before I leave the house I whip up a smoothie and drink it on my commute to work. Usually I make the same smoothie each morning or some variation of it and that is basically blueberries, banana, spinach (or kale), medjool dates, ginger, and water. I used to make my smoothies with almond milk or apple juice, but I’ve decided to save those calories for eating and use water instead. Then once I get to work and get settled, I will have breakfast part two; which is usually oatmeal, toast with sugar free jam, or avocado toast (1/2 of an avocado) with tomatoes, chia seeds, and sriracha. I make my toast using Ezekiel or Manna bread.

This combined with 32 ounces of water (which I try to drink by 11:00 A.M.) will have me satisfied until lunch and so I rarely have a morning snack. Also the above picture may look all nice, but lets keep in all the way real and say that the smoothie usually goes to work with me in the same container that I made it in and I make the avocado toast at work.

Lunch for me is usually around noon-ish and I will have some variation of a Buddha bowl – today’s consists of quinoa, broccoli, spinach, black beans, carrots, and pickled ginger. For added flavor I topped the broccoli with toasted sesame seeds and the quinoa with a very small amount of sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Lunch is also when I refill my water bottle and try to drink another 32 ounces before dinner.

This will fuel me until the end of my work day and then I will have a snack on my commute home of fruit, veggies, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a tablespoon of almond butter for dipping.

*Try dipping carrots in nut butter and you can thank me later 🙂

This combination will curb my evening cravings and power me through 30 minutes of daily movement before dinner. Dinner for me is wildcard because I eat whatever I am in the mood for and that could be anything from a big salad to another smoothie with brown rice protein, but tonight I wanted pizza and so pizza is what I chose to have. This pizza is made with the easiest homemade sauce and crust (I will share the recipe with you in Wednesday’s post) and topped with Daiya cheese, spinach, green pepper, and nutritional yeast.

My eyes wanted two slices, but my stomach only had room for one after I ate the bowl of steamed broccoli and tomatoes. As the day winds down to a close and I try to catch up on things, I usually end my day with a cup of organic green tea sweetened with stevia in the raw.

And there you have what I eat in a day as a vegan. Did it look anything like you thought? Just for our numbers folks…Here is the breakdown:

• 64 ounces of water (not including the smoothie or tea)
• 1465 total calories
• number of salads: 0
• vegetables with each meal
• 30 minutes of exercise

Not too bad right? Please be sure to share your thoughts with me in the comment section below and I will see you again on Wednesday for the homemade pizza recipe.