5 Ways to Enjoy Plant-Based Foods in Fall
It’s officially sweater weather! Autumn is the perfect time for more plant-based eating, with lots of hearty seasonal fruits and veggies to pair with legumes, grains, gluten-free pasta and more.
A whole food, plant-based diet has been said to improve gut health, lower cancer risk, reduce inflammation, strengthen immune systems and more.
Below are a few ways to implement plant-based eating while taking advantage of fall flavors.
Create comfort bowls
Bowls are an easy way to incorporate veggies, grains and plant-based protein. My tried and true method for a well-balanced bowl begins with a base like brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes or millet. Think complex carbs or something starchy that will get your energy up. Then, it’s onto the protein, which is either marinated tofu, baked tempeh, lentils or beans. While those are cooking, I chop up my favorite fall vegetables, like Brussel sprouts, butternut squash, cauliflower, kale and okra. A simple homemade sauce brings it all together with healthy fats. A few favorites include avocado and lime dressing, ginger tahini and cashew cheese.
Satisfy with soups and stews
What’s better than cozying up with a hot bowl of soup on a cool fall day? I have a few go-to soup recipes for fall, like this pasta Fagioli. Ingredients can easily be modified, and the longer soups and stews sit, the more flavors meld together, making them easy weeknight staples and leftovers.
Pumpkin-infused everything
Yes, pumpkin spice lattes are a fan favorite, but have you tried vegan pumpkin mac and cheese or pumpkin chili? How about pumpkin curry? There are endless ways to infuse this popular fall fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) into your meals for added Vitamin C and E and beta carotene, which is excellent for eye health and immune systems.
All kinds of one-pot pasta
To me, fall is about maximum comfort with minimal effort, and that translates to the meals I make. One-pot pasta is perfectly decadent for the chilly season and can often be made with the autumn ingredients you have on hand, from artichokes and kale to carrots and turnips. Here’s a roundup of some delicious one-pot pasta recipes.
Sweet potato as a staple
As I mentioned above, sweet potatoes make a great base for bowls, but their appeal is really limitless. Try them with a Mediterranean twist, stuffed with black beans, in salad and tacos or even as burgers. You’ll need more than one season to find your favorite ways to add sweet potato to your meals, but fall is definitely their star season.
By eating nourishing food, we nourish our souls. And, when we eat plant-based foods from the earth, it’s a win-win for many lives. What whole-food recipes are you most excited to try this season? What fruits and veggies are you most eager to include on your grocery list? For more plant-based recipes, click here.