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21 Things Real Vegans Actually Eat

It's not as hard as you think.

Emma Cooke
by Emma Cooke

BuzzFeed Staff, UK

Veganism! It's good for the planet, and it's good for animals. We all know we should let a few more vegan meals into our lives.

Reddit / Via reddit.com

Plus, it's more vegetables. Vegetables are good for you.

But also, it's really hard. Because CHEESE.

Tumblr / Via fyboredtodeath.tumblr.com

Salad just isn't a cheeseburger, is it?

We asked a bunch of real vegans to share what they eat on a regular basis. Because if normal people are managing it, it can't be that hard, right?! (Spoiler alert: VEGAN PIZZA EXISTS.)

The WB

We talked to bloggers, students, dancers, mums, nutritionists, and even a former sports therapist. These people eat dairy- and meat-free on a daily basis, and it's become their normal routine. Some are bona fide experts, and some are just like you and me.

Here’s what they suggested.

1. Vegan mac 'n' cheese

Momoko Hill

"Macaroni cheese was always one of my favourite comfort food dishes growing up and I was delighted when I discovered vegan mac 'n' cheese! The sauce in the one I make is made from Violife cheddar, homemade cashew milk, a little bit of coconut oil, Himalayan salt, and cracked black pepper. So simple, beautifully creamy, and non-vegans love it too!"

– Momoko Hill, 27, freelancer, Cornwall

2. Oreos

3. Tomato-basil toasts

4. Summer rolls

5. Creamy courgette pasta

Lindsay Reynolds / Via veganyumminess.com

"I love vegan pasta recipes because they are tasty, kid-friendly, and super fast to throw together on a busy weekday."

– Lindsay Reynolds, 28, mother, nurse practitioner, and creator of Vegan Yumminess, Maine

6. Veg sauté

7. Vegan five-cheese pizza

8. Teriyaki-ish tofu with avocado

Emily von Euw

"Really into this small meal lately: Sauté some tofu in soy sauce, maple syrup, and rice vinegar; serve with a sliced avocado on top; drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with smoked salt. The textures and flavours go really well together and it only takes a few minutes. Lots of protein and healthy fats, so I love it after the gym."

– Emily von Euw, 22, author of The Rawsome Vegan Cookbook and creator of The Rawsome Vegan Life, Vancouver

9. Burrito bowls

yupitsvegan.com

"I make these brown rice burrito bowls all the time. With beans, rice, veggies, and guacamole, they easily cover all of my nutrition needs for a meal. If I'm short on time I can make this in 10 minutes with canned beans, frozen rice and vegetables, and store-bought guacamole and salsa – or, if I have more wiggle room, I prepare some or all of the components from scratch, usually in batches so that I can eat the burrito bowls throughout the week."

– Shannon, creator of Yup... It's Vegan, Baltimore

10. Vegetable stir-fry

Monika Bhika

"Veg, edamame, and tofu stir-fry with homemade teriyaki sauce and rice noodles. I also add sprouted lentil and mung beans. It's quick, child-friendly, and delicious! My two kids really love this."

– Monika Bhika, 38, former sports therapist, Surrey

11. Vegetable and dumpling soup

Sandra Vungi / Via vegansandra.com

"When I think about soup, this is the first one that comes in mind, especially in the cold winter season. It's so comforting and delicious. Made with carrots, garlic, and parsley, it's super cheap and really easy to make. I always have the ingredients at home and it hits the spot every time. The dumpling dough is super simple too, as you only need some flour, water, and seasoning."

– Sandra Vungi, 26, creator of Vegan Sandra, Estonia

12. Peanut butter

Daniel Dalton

"The thought of going vegan turns a lot of people off because of what they can’t eat. But just think about what you can eat, and in what quantity! For example, I live almost entirely on various nut butters and hummus. Veganism: the perfect excuse to eat peanut butter from the jar."

– Daniel Dalton, 32, staff writer at BuzzFeed UK, London

13. Cinnamon porridge

Roxy Bryant

"Deliciously warming cinnamon porridge, topped with fresh mango, orange, dried goji berries, and hemp seeds. This keeps me going all morning."

– Roxy Bryant, 27, dance artist, teacher, and choreographer, London

14. Satay-marinated tofu salad

Charlie Hyams

"I make this in the summer when it's warmer. It's so easy to make, and filling, too. Plus the Asian satay tofu makes a boring salad much more interesting. My meat-eater work colleagues were hovering over it!"

– Charlie Hyams, 21, video editor, London

15. Buckwheat waffles

Vaishali Honawar / Via holycowvegan.net

"A kid-approved favourite breakfast in our home are these gluten-free buckwheat waffles. These are actually multigrain, with rice flour and oat flour in addition to buckwheat, and they have good fats from flaxmeal. These are our go-to good eats on lazy Saturday mornings."

– Vaishali Honawar, 48, creator of Holy Cow Vegan, Washington

16. Tofu omelette

Karolina

"I stuff this with mushrooms, spinach, and red pepper, but I create different fillings depending on what I fancy and what's in the fridge. It tastes fantastic and is so easy to make."

– Karolina, 33, self-employed, Aberdeen

17. Brussels sprouts

18. Homemade pizza with garlic chips

Emma Robinson

"I topped this pizza with peppers, onion, cherry tomatoes, and Violife cheese, and served it with homebaked garlic chips. I love vegan junk food – it feels naughty but it's actually quite healthy."

– Emma Robinson, 21, creative-writing student, Cornwall

19. Spinach and chickpea curry

Anna Daniels

"I love this dish as it is plant-based, quick and easy to make, and full of nutrients, along with being a source of protein and fibre."

– Anna Daniels, 33, registered dietitian and creator of Honest Nutrition, North Yorkshire

20. Fig and pomegranate pizza

I'm A Little Vegan

"Pizza is always my go-to vegan dish, and this fig and pomegranate combo is my all-time favourite. Every Friday is 'Friday night pizza night' in our house. I whip up my quick cheat's dough, smother it with a base sauce, throw on toppings of choice, and voilà. Easy, quick, and delicious."

– Louise, 33, creator of I'm a Little Vegan, Cork

21. Roasted romanesco cauliflower

Amber St. Peter / Via fettlevegan.com

"The meal I’ve been eating most often lately and is definitely a favourite is roasted romanesco cauliflower. I love it because it’s really simple to make, sort of a set-it and forget-it meal, and it packs a TON of flavour. Plus it’s a great way to enjoy seasonal romanesco…and it tastes great with a tall glass of wine!"

– Amber St. Peter, CEO of Fettle Vegan, California