Published: August 22, 2025
I have always been drawn to vegan and vegetarian eating. I love the foods, the creativity that happens in the kitchen, and how sustainable it is for the environment.
But I also enjoy the occasional burger and fries, sushi date nights, and a big bowl of beef pho when I’m sick. That’s why this approach to eating works so well for me!
Eating more plants is good for your health, your wallet, and the planet. And the best part? Eating more plants without totally giving up meat is much less daunting than going fully vegan or vegetarian.
You might want to decrease your carbon footprint, eat fewer animals for ethical reasons, or simply eat healthier, all of those are wonderful goals! The good news is you don’t have to completely cut meat out to do this.
If you’re curious about adding more plants to your meals without giving up meat, these 10 easy shortcuts are for you!
1) Prep ahead for easy wins!
Wash and cut up veggies and fruit, make a healthy dip, or make hard-boiled eggs. That way, grabbing something nourishing is just as easy as reaching for a bag of chips.
Roast a sheet pan of veggies and cook a pot of beans to start the week with easy additions to meals.
2) Plan ahead (A little or a lot!)
A loose meal plan or even just knowing what protein you plan to use for the week such as tofu, tempeh, canned tuna, salmon, or chicken. This makes it easier to add more plant-based sides, whole grains, and beans.
Check out this article on meal planning!
3) Stock easy pantry staples
Keep canned beans, dried lentils, protein pasta, quinoa, frozen fruit and veggies on hand. They are an easy addition to plant-forward meals!
Check out my article on Pantry Staples!
4) Find what you love
I love protein pastas like barilla Protein+ and Brami, they use bean flour in addition to semolina for a high protein pasta.
If you love hummus, use it instead of mayo on a sandwich or wrap, in addition to a dip for crackers and carrots. If you like pizza, try adding some of your favorite veggies before baking that frozen dinner. I love to add mushrooms, sliced tomatoes, or peppers to mine!
For even more veggies and to make the pizza stretch to another meal, I pair it with a simple salad. If I am short on time, I’ll even use a salad kit like Taylor Farms Everything Chopped Kit.
5) Swap, don’t eliminate!
Try using half ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey) and half plant ingredients. My favorites are riced cauliflower, beans, lentils, mushrooms, and eggplant. This works well in tacos, chili, pasta sauces, sloppy joes, and even lettuce wraps.
If I choose to make a meat dish and want it to be super easy, I’ll grab a pound of ground turkey or chicken and bulk it up with extra veggies. It makes terrific leftovers!
6) Fiber is your friend
Whole grains like quinoa, bulgur, and farro are all plant-based, filling, and versatile! Make them the base of a bowl or add them to a salad for a quick, easy, and filling meal.
I like to cook a batch early in the week to make varieties of grain bowls such as greek inspired, south-west, or buffalo chicken Caesar if i want a little chicken.
7) More soups and stews please!
Lentil, minestrone, and black bean soups are naturally plant-forward. You can add a little shredded chicken if you like, without it being the star ingredient! Moreover, soups and stews are great for meal prep, make a big pot and enjoy it for days or freeze some of the leftovers.
8) Start the day plant-based!
Ever heard of vegan before 6? It’s a book written by Mark Bittman that talks about starting your day vegan and ending it with a meat, if you like. It’s a great way to eat more plant-based foods without sacrificing the meat and meat dishes you enjoy.
Some healthy options to start the day include overnight oats, smoothies, avocado toast, or yogurt parfaits. These get you starting the day off right with out feeling like you have sacrificed anything! Of course, feel free to indulge in some bacon and eggs from time to time!
And that leads right into the next idea!
9) Stay flexible and keep what you love
Eating more plants doesn’t mean giving up burgers, pizza, pasta, or your favorite dishes. It’s all about balance! This means adjusting the portions so meat isn’t always the main event, and adding more plant-based options to your diet!
10 ) Keep things simple (at least to start)
Grain bowls, sheet pan meals, and one-pot dishes that are plant-forward make for easy, quick, and low clean-up meals.
Adding 1 or 2 of these a week is less daunting, and you can grow from there. Make an obtainable, realistic goal and try it for a couple of weeks. Lifestyle changes don’t happen overnight!
Wrapping Up
These shortcuts don’t have to be all or nothing. Start slow! Pick one or two to incorporate into your lifestyle today. Just one small change can get the ball rolling toward a healthier tomorrow.
Healthy eating takes practice and time before you really feel the changes, so don’t give up after a week. And don’t feel guilty if you enjoy pizza with cheese and pepperoni, that still fits! Just balance it out with healthier options the next day or later in the week, depending on what works best for you.
Remember, this is YOUR life. Make healthy eating work for you, not what works for someone else.
Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!
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