" We're here to facilitate your plant-based journey "

PlantPlate.com is here to provide the recipes, information, and practical advice needed to follow a healthy plant-based diet. Whether you're interested in improving your health, losing weight, or eating more sustainably, a whole foods plant-based diet may be the perfect solution for you.

My name's Emma, and I started PlantPlate in 2013 with the help of my husband Scott, a web developer and fellow plantivore. I’m a certified Plant-Based Nutritionist who loves to cook, and I've followed a plant-based diet for over a decade. Having lived in various locations throughout the world - sometimes on a shoestring budget, and often with irregular and demanding work schedules - I’ve had to constantly adapt my diet in order to make it work. It’s taught me a lot, and it’s motivated me to show others just how accessible and enjoyable this way of eating can be.

The recipes featured on PlantPlate are based on minimally processed plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. They're free from all animal products, processed oils and refined carbohydrates, and are made with simple and affordable ingredients. Our articles are aimed at providing you with plant-based know-how when it comes to shopping, cooking, nutrition and day-to-day living. We have answers to common questions and share practical knowledge that we have acquired through experience. Finally, the resources section contains links to books, DVDs, and video presentations from some of the world's leading experts on plant-based nutrition. It is our hope that these resources will help you to fully understand and evaluate the health benefits of this wonderful way of eating.

Welcome to PlantPlate!  We hope you enjoy your visit. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email us at contact@plantplate.com.

The information on this website is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat health problems or illnesses without first consulting your doctor.

Healthy Plant-Based Recipes for the Holidays

Guide By PlantPlate
Looking for a little plant-based inspiration for your holiday meals? We've gathered our favourite festive recipes together in this article, to help keep you healthy, happy and full of delicious food throughout the holiday season.

The holiday season is, traditionally, a special time of year when we get together with our family and friends, sharing food, gifts, laughter and love. It's also, traditionally, a period of serious indulgence! For days, or even weeks, there are celebratory lunches and dinners to attend, sweet treats at every turn, and often piles of leftovers to get through even after it's over. While this is of course a time of year that we all look forward to and enjoy, these weeks of festive eating can leave you feeling pretty tired, sluggish, and bearing a few extra unwanted pounds as you enter the new year.

So, what's a great way to stay healthy and feeling good throughout the holidays? By eating predominantly healthy, plant-based dishes of course! With so many plant-based recipes available online, you can prepare a feast so delicious and satisfying, you'll wonder how you ever even had room for Turkey! In fact, we've enjoyed plant-based holiday dinners in our home every year for the last 6 years, and each one has been more delicious and memorable than the last. Most years we have been joined by family members, who have thoroughly enjoyed all the food that was on offer as well (thanks guys!) 

This year, we thought we'd put together a simple collection of holiday dishes and meal ideas. This guide is ideal for those of you who are new to plant-based cooking and eating, or for anyone looking to expand their festive recipe repertoire to include more healthy fare.

 

Breakfast

Get your celebratory day off to the right start with a delicious Vegg-Nog Smoothie! This is a healthy riff on the traditional Christmas beverage, with no eggs, dairy, alcohol, or added sugar. We like to share a platter of seasonal fresh fruits for breakfast as well, but you could make some plant-based pancakes or Cranberry Spice Granola if you're looking for something more sustaining.

 

The Main Meal

Turkey and other roasted meats tend to be the focus of holiday meals, but they certainly don't have to be! There are plenty of fantastic oil-free lentil roast, nut roast, and seitan roast recipes out there, which are a great alternative to traditional 'meaty' mains.

Fortunately for plant-based eaters, most traditional holiday side dishes are vegetable-based, and can easily be adapted to be oil-free as well. Some of our favourites include:

If you live in the southern hemisphere, a traditional hot meal smothered in gravy probably won't suit the climate! You can check out our range of salad recipes for summer-friendly options, as well as dips and spreads to serve with vegetable crudite.

 

For Dessert

When it comes to desserts and sweet treats, there are plenty of great plant-based options to choose from. Our favourites for the holidays include:

 

In addition to the food itself, holiday meals and family gatherings can present another set of challenges when you're choosing to eat plant-based. Others are likely to ask you questions about your food choices, and you may have your own concerns about offending (or inconveniencing) your hosts by choosing to leave animal products off the menu. If you'd like some guidance and pointers for approaching these situations, be sure to check out our Guide to Eating at Social Gatherings & Holiday Meals. 

 

Article photo courtesy of Austin Kelmore via Flickr.