Published: May 22, 2025
In the flexitarian world, we don’t do all-or-nothing mindsets. We’re all about flexible, realistic eating habits that fit into everyday life. Going fully vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian isn’t always practical, and putting pressure on yourself to be perfect can lead to guilt or burnout.
I used to think I had to follow a specific set of food rules to eat “right.” But the more I let go of the all-or-nothing mindset, the easier it became to enjoy meals, feel good in my body, and eat in a way that supports my values, without the stress.
So, if you’re curious about eating more plants but don’t want to overhaul your lifestyle, you’re in the right place.
Small Sustainable Steps
Flexitarian eating is all about small, sustainable steps. Whether it’s changing a weekly habit, adding veggies to soups or sauces, or keeping flexitarian pantry staples on hand, it’s a gentle way to support your health and the planet, without the pressure of strict food rules.
You don’t need to be perfect to make progress, just start where you are.
So without further ado, here are 25 easy tips to help you eat more plants. Weekly habits, ingredient
25 Easy Ways to Eat More Plants
1. Weekly Habits to Try
Tip 1: Try Meatless Mondays to start your week with a plant-based focus.
Tip 2: Go Vegan Before 6 like Mark Bittman for a flexible approach.
Tip 3: Make one meal each day completely plant-based.
Tip 4: Cook one new plant-forward recipe every week.
2. Easy Ingredient Swaps
Tip 5: Use lentils or beans instead of ground beef in tacos, chili, or pasta.
Tip 6: Replace half the meat in any recipe with mushrooms, tofu, or legumes.
Tip 7: Try dairy-free milk in smoothies, coffee, or baking.
Tip 8: Swap mayo or cheese for hummus, avocado, or a creamy plant-based spread.
3. Sneaky Veggie Add-Ins
Tip 9: Add greens to smoothies. Spinach, kale, or frozen zucchini blend in easily.
Tip 10: Stir shredded carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms into sauces and soups.
Tip 11: Toss spinach or chopped greens into eggs, stir-fries, or grain bowls.
Tip 12: Blend cauliflower into mashed potatoes, creamy soups, or sauces.
4. Smart Snacking
Tip 13: Keep veggies and dip ready to go. Try hummus, guacamole, or a dairy-free yogurt dip.
Tip 14: Snack on roasted chickpeas, trail mix, or spiced nuts.
Tip 15: Pair fruit with nut butter or enjoy a handful of seeds or nuts.
Tip 16: Prep snack boxes with fruit, vegetables, crackers, and spreads.
5. Meal Prep and Pantry Staples
Tip 17: Batch-roast vegetables to use in bowls, wraps, or salads.
Tip 18: Cook a big pot of grains or beans to mix and match all week.
Tip 19: Keep frozen vegetables, canned beans, and whole grains stocked.
Tip 20: Use flavorful sauces like tahini, pesto, or chimichurri to bring dishes to life.
6. Flex Your Favorites
Tip 21: Make veggie-forward versions of your favorite comfort foods.
Tip 22: Build bowls instead of deli sandwiches using grains, greens, vegetables, protein, and sauce.
Tip 23: Stretch meat dishes by mixing in lentils, beans, or chopped vegetables.
Tip 24: Use theme nights to guide meals like Taco Tuesday with black beans or Stir-Fry Friday with tofu.
Tip 25: Start meals by choosing the vegetables you want to use, then build the rest of the dish around them.
Start Your Flexitarian Journey
These tips are to generate some ideas for what works for you and your lifestyle. Still feeling lost? Start with one of two tips to try and go from there!
Want more information on Flexitarian eating? Below, you can download my free grocery guide checklist!
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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