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Start Your Plant-Based Journey a simple guide for beginners
I went vegetarian in 2011 with no plan and far too much pasta. These are the steps, guides and recipes I wish I'd had in my first months, whether you're giving up meat completely or just want more vegetables on your plate.
start here
How to Go Vegetarian in 5 Simple Steps
- 1
Swap, don't subtract
Start with dishes you already love and swap only the meat: lentils in the bolognese, beans in the chili, mushrooms in the stew. Two or three meatless days a week is a perfectly good start.
- 2
Build a balanced plate
Half the plate vegetables, a quarter protein (beans, lentils, tofu, eggs, cheese), a quarter whole grains or potatoes, plus a little good fat. That's the whole formula.
- 3
Put protein on every plate
Lentils, chickpeas, beans, tofu, tempeh, eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts: pick at least one for every meal and you won't have to count grams.
- 4
Know the few nutrients to watch
Vitamin B12 is the big one: vegetarians get it from dairy and eggs, vegans need fortified foods or a supplement. Iron, omega-3, iodine, calcium and vitamin D deserve a little attention too, especially if you go fully vegan. If you have a health condition, talk to your doctor first.
- 5
Plan your week
A short weekly plan and one hour of cooking ahead on Sunday make the biggest difference: fewer takeout nights, less food in the bin.
Missing cheese, milk or sugar? Start with my guides to replacing dairy and healthy sugar alternatives.
choose your path
Vegetarian, Vegan or Something Else?
Vegetarian
No meat or fish; dairy and eggs stay. The easiest place to start.
Read the guide →
Vegan
No animal products at all. What to know before you make the switch.
Read the guide →
Low FODMAP
Vegetarian eating for a sensitive gut, with the 3 phases explained.
Read the guide →
Raw vegan
Mostly uncooked plants: how to start and what to watch.
Read the guide →
Macrobiotic
Whole grains, vegetables and beans, without the risky extremes.
Read the guide →
Discover a World of Plant-Based Knowledge
We invite you to explore our Freebie Library, a treasure trove of resources designed to enrich your plant-based adventure. This exclusive collection, available at no cost, is packed with informative guides, how-to manuals, recipe collections, and much more, all crafted to support and inspire your vegetarian journey.
Free Vegetarian eBooks
Unlock a collection of free resources to simplify your plant-based journey! Subscribe to my newsletter and receive exclusive eBooks, including the Plant-Powered Recipes, Vegan Substitutes, Healthy Sugar Substitutes, and the Meal Prep Planner. These guides are packed with practical tips, delicious recipes, and tools to make vegetarian living easy and enjoyable—all yours for free! SUBSCRIBE AND GET ACCESS.
Vegetarian Meal Plans
Simplify your week with curated vegetarian meal plans, featuring balanced, delicious recipes that make plant-based eating effortless and enjoyable. Perfect for busy schedules and healthy living! Discover all my free vegetarian meal plans >
easy first recipes
Easy Vegetarian Recipes for Beginners
Easy Vegetarian Cassoulet
Vegetarian Arayes
Easy Falafel Wrap Recipe
Adzuki Beans Burger
Lebanese Chickpea Soup
Chana Butter Paneer Masala with Basmati Rice
Vegetarian Cacciatore
Protein Power Lentils and Amaranth Patties
What I Eat in a Day
Get a glimpse into a plant-based diet with this series of daily meal inspirations, showcasing simple, nutritious, and tasty vegetarian dishes you can try at home.
Introducing my new Book
Veggie Family
Laying the Foundations of Your Plant-Based Journey
This book is your go-to guide for making nutritious, family-friendly vegetarian meals that everyone will love. With 55 easy-to-follow recipes, it’s designed to help busy families enjoy delicious plant-based dishes without the fuss. From quick weeknight dinners to fun meals that kids will adore, Veggie Family offers a simple way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet while keeping everyone at the table happy.
hi, I’m Ruxandra
Ruxandra Niță
Food blogger · Recipe developer · Food photographer
I'm the cook, food photographer and writer behind Gourmandelle. I went vegetarian and started this blog in 2011, while I was studying architecture in Bucharest. Fifteen years later there are more than 1,000 recipes here, in English and Romanian, each one cooked and photographed in my own kitchen, many with vegetables from our garden. My goal is simple: vegetables as the star of the plate, in recipes that work on a busy weeknight.
- 2011blogging since
- 1,000+tested recipes
- EN + ROtwo languages
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