When you’re a vegetarian, any family event is awkward to say the least—and Thanksgiving might be the roughest holiday gathering of them all. Between every single relative challenging your reasons for not eating meat and the lack of food options, well, it’s enough to make you just want to stay home. But don’t resign yourself to nibbling celery and guzzling vegan wine in the corner just yet.
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Thankfully, we’ve been gifted with lots of recipes that feel hearty and traditional without the meat. And these meat-free and dairy-free recipes are so awesome, even non-vegetarian guests will gobble them up.
Here are some veg alternatives to add to your menu this year.
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More:20 No-Bake Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts That Make a Meat-Free Holiday Amazing
1. Tofurky roast with vegetables
Served with carrots and yams, this main course takes a paltry one and a half hours to cook compared with the traditional big turkey of the table. The Popsugar staff omnivores prepared, taste tested and reviewed this tofurky roast with vegetables recipe.
2. Root vegetable baked lasagna
Prepare a delicious combination of ricotta cheese, garlic, parsnips, turnips and cinnamon for a quintessentially fall meal of root vegetable baked lasagna.
3. Vegan ratatouille with tempeh
Buck tradition in taste and style with vegan ratatouille with tempeh as the main course on the menu, and your table will be the very picture of autumn with the reds, oranges, greens and yellows of all the roasted veggies of this dish.
4. Roasted red beet hummus recipe
You’ve had your share of chickpea-, black bean- and white bean-based hummus. Now Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give roasted red beet hummus a try.
5. Quinoa-stuffed acorn squash rings
Served with cranberries and maple syrup, these quinoa-stuffed acorn squash rings might just put your average Thanksgiving sides and regular onion rings to shame.
10. Olive oil and garlic green beans with crumbled blue cheese
Who says Thanksgiving sides have to be boring? Opt for healthy, gourmet and easy-to-prepare with these olive oil and garlic green beans with crumbled blue cheese.
11. Vegetarian and sausage gravy and biscuits
Now your veggie guests don’t have to miss out on a classic: biscuits and gravy!
12. Pumpkin curry with chickpeas
You might not find this on any other Thanksgiving menu, but that doesn’t mean your dinner guests won’t love this hearty, savory, pumpkin-based dish!
Topped with sautéed wild mushrooms? Yes, please! Never ordinary in the kitchen? Try this shaved Parmesan and truffle mashed potatoes recipe.
18. Baked apple stuffed with candied ginger and almonds
You’ve perfected apple pie recipes, but what about baked apple? Obviously you must try it paired with wine.
19. Vegan cranberry coffee cake
Thanksgiving is truly the holiday of the cranberry, so why not celebrate the berry by making it the star of the dessert menu with this vegan cranberry coffee cake recipe?
More:The Complete Guide to Stocking a Low-Carb, Vegetarian Kitchen
By that definition, a pescatarian is someone who chooses to eat a vegetarian diet, but who also eats fish and other seafood. It's a largely plant-based diet of whole grains, nuts, legumes, produce and healthy fats, with seafood playing a key role as a main protein source.
Choose whole grain products, such as whole wheat bread, wild or brown rice, and whole grain cereals, as these can provide B vitamins. Vary the diet, with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and so on. Use eggs and dairy products in moderation, or try adding soy milk.
Intake and status of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and bone turnover markers were generally lower in plant-based dietary patterns compared to meat-eaters. Vegans had the lowest vitamin B12, calcium and iodine intake, and also lower iodine status and lower bone mineral density.
According to the Vegetarian Society, vegetarians are people who do not eat the products or byproducts of animal slaughter. Vegetarians do not consume: meat, such as beef, pork, and game. poultry, such as chicken, turkey, and duck.
Although they're sometimes considered vegetarians, pescatarians and flexitarians do eat animal flesh. So, they do not technically fall under the definition of vegetarianism. Vegetarian diets exclude meat, poultry, game, fish, and shellfish.
Vegan diets ban all animal-derived products, such as dairy, eggs, meat, and fish. Dairy-free diets exclude dairy but may allow other animal foods. While all vegan food is dairy-free, not all dairy-free food is vegan.
A vegetarian diet is one that does not include any meat or seafood. However, there are many variations to this – some people following a vegetarian diet may eat eggs and dairy foods, while others may avoid one or both.
Whether you're after sliced vegan ham or a vegan roast ham for the holiday table, it's easy to find different options made from ingredients like seitan, tofu, beans, and more. They all have a similar texture and taste, only without the many environmental, ethical, and health issues that come from the real thing.
A plant-based whole-food diet, she says, saves money both in the short term and in the long term due to a reduced risk of chronic disease. A few people I talked with who had recently adopted plant-based diets say their grocery bills plummeted by about 20 percent when they made the switch.
Most vegetarians usually have enough protein and calcium (found in dairy products) in their diet. But if you don't plan your diet properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients. For example, vegetarians need to make sure they get enough iron and vitamin B12 in their diets.
Following a vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. But some vegetarian diets may rely too heavily on processed foods with too many calories, and too much sugar, fat and salt. These diets may not include enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nutrient-rich foods.
Here, you'll find plenty of creative ways to ditch the same old turkey and stuffing, including unexpected main courses, fun Thanksgiving side dishes, tasty appetizers, and more. Think: pumpkin risotto, crab-stuffed mushrooms, sweet potato curry, and cauliflower gratin. Looking to skip the roasted turkey? No problem!
A pollotarian diet focuses on whole, plant-based foods with the inclusion of poultry in moderation. As it's rich in high-fiber, plant-based foods and reduces red meat and pork intake, it may benefit heart health, aid weight loss, and protect against type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.
What Is Veggie-Fed Poultry? The most crucial attribute of vegetarian chicken or turkey feed is that it doesn't contain animal by-products of any kind, which more than half of consumers consider important.
Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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