By Sneh Makhecha (‘28)

Image courtesy of the_sunkissed_kitchen’s Instagram.

Are you the type of person who has a Pinterest board filled with pretty, aesthetic meals that you know you’ll never actually have the time or energy to make? Before I became vegan two years ago, I could say the same thing about myself. Despite popular belief, vegan food isn’t just raw, unappetizing vegetables. In fact, I’ve discovered some of my favorite dishes throughout my vegan journey. Also, contrary to popular belief, good vegan food isn’t that hard to prepare either, as long as you have the right ingredients. So, if you’re ready to start your vegan journey, tired of putting Red 40 into your body, or just looking for something easy to make that doesn’t taste like crap, keep on reading! As I mentioned earlier, good vegan food requires delicious (and healthy) ingredients. So to set the groundwork for the rest of this column, I’ll be providing you all with information I wish I’d known at the start of my plant-based journey: four of the most important items that you should put on the grocery list as a vegan.

Ingredient #1: Bananas

I used to be a big banana hater before I became vegan, but once I learned how to incorporate them into tasty recipes, they quickly became a must-have for me in my kitchen. I use bananas to make mouthwatering vegan banana splits, banana muesli (which doesn’t have to sit in the fridge for hours), and a vegan variation of turon (a Filipino dessert that takes only five minutes to make). Additionally, according to a Healthline article, bananas increase heart health, help moderate blood sugar levels, and aid in digestion.

Ingredient #2: Tahini

Tahini is a golden-colored paste derived from ground sesame seeds. Its nutty taste and creamy texture make it a great addition to salad dressings, hummus, and sauces. I especially love using tahini in this rice dish by SweetPotatoSoul, as well as in this vegan nutella from the PickUpLimes website. Tahini, as do all of the ingredients listed in this article, has several health benefits as well. As stated in a WebMD article about tahini, this delicious Middle Eastern ingredient helps absorb iron, prevent anemia, and reduce inflammation levels. Moreover, tahini helps to maintain blood pressure levels in the body.

Ingredient #3: Avocados

Vegans really do love their avocados. From avocado shakes (they actually taste good, since the avocado is basically tasteless) to avocado pasta, vegans do their best to work avocados into every meal that they possibly can, and it’s no wonder why. Possible health benefits of the avocado include heart benefits, improved vision, and bone health. In fact, avocados are also said to reduce the risks of depression and cancer in those who consume them. Some other recipes with avocados in them are the classic avocado toast and avocado salads, yet my favorite avocado-based dish is definitely guacamole. I love using this recipe from Epicurious because the recipe is packed with flavor and goes great with some vegan feta. I especially love how guacamole can be used in so many vegan dishes, including burrito bowls, tacos, and nacho plates. While I still occasionally miss a cheesy quesadilla or a taco loaded with sour cream, guacamole provides my taste buds with a delicious distraction!

Ingredient #4: Dairy-free milk

Dairy-free milk, including soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, and more, is so extremely essential to simple vegan recipes. Overnight oats and chia seed puddings are two simple yet wholesome vegan breakfasts that require dairy-free milk. Plus, these breakfast options are great for on-the-go meals! Dairy-free milk also goes great in smoothie bowls, especially coconut milk. Many common vegan desserts also use plant-based milk, making it an essential ingredient to have in your pantry for meal prep before a large gathering. Plus, these milk alternatives are much lower in fat and calories than regular milk.

I hope that, after reading this article, you are all ready to tackle simple, healthy, plant-based meals! Maybe you even discovered a few new recipe ideas from the links provided for each ingredient! If you’re just feeling overwhelmed with the information overload right now, that’s okay, too! Remember that making a diet change is a large challenge, and whatever you’re doing right now is enough. Hopefully, this column will be able to support you throughout your plant-based journey!