Tag: Veganuary

Veganuary with Chopstix

ONE of the UK’s most popular Chinese takeaways has offered up a sweet new selection to celebrate Veganuary.

Chopstix Noodle Bar is bringing the ‘All Leaf, No Beef’ Teriyaki to its stores across the nation, hitting menus from Tuesday 9th January.

Mixing plant based ‘beef’ strips with peppers, onions and Chopstix’ secret recipe sweet Teriyaki sauce, the special topping gives Pan-Asian fanatics a way to stick to their vegan goals while still chowing down on authentic Chinese food.

Chopstix’s latest vegan offering follows a number of menu items that have been added over the years since the brand’s first vegan dish, the Green Thai Tofu Curry that was launched in 2019.

Rob Burns, Marketing Director for Chopstix said: “We wanted to bring something totally fresh for those that are trying out the vegan lifestyle this January, giving Pan-Asian food lovers a tasty & healthy option that is totally meat free.

“Whether you’re just starting on your vegan journey or you’ve been plant-based for years, the ‘All Leaf No Beef’ Teriyaki will definitely hit the spot.”

As with the rest of Chopstix vegan range, the dish’s plant-based protein, which is sourced from Europe by Miami Foods, is GMO, antibiotics, palm oil and cholesterol free, as well as being a high source of protein and fibre & low in saturated fats.

And hungry customers will be able to grab a plate from one of over 100 stores when the nationwide roll-out of the dish starts next week.

Loui Blake, CEO of Miami Foods, said: “We’re incredibly happy to partner with Chopstix this Veganuary. Their commitment to developing innovative & sustainable plant-based dishes means diners now have even more meat-free options.”

The noodle bar, first launched 20 years ago in the famous Camden Market before migrating to Oxford Street London, now has stores across almost every major town and city in the country.

Along with being available in stores across the UK, The noodle bar’s popular dishes are also available to order from most of the country’s top delivery platforms including UberEats, Deliveroo and Just Eat.

For more information please visit: www.chopstixnoodles.co.uk

Healthy Heart Tip: Plant-Based Diets for Heart Health

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Plant Based Diets for Heart Health

This January many people will be challenging themselves to go plant-based in support of Veganuary, a month-long campaign aimed at encouraging people to try out a vegan diet.

A vegan diet consists of only food coming from plants and eliminates any animal-based foods such as milk, eggs, meat, and cheese. Adopting a more plant-based diet comes with many health benefits.

Specifically in relation to heart health, vegan diets tend to be higher in fibre and lower in saturated fat, which has a positive impact on cholesterol levels.

Here we outline some ways you can eat more plant-based every day, not just January:

Include fruits and vegetables at breakfast

Making sure we consistently get our minimum of five fruits and vegetables every day can be quite difficult if we don’t consume at least one portion with every meal. Start the day off right by including a portion at breakfast.

This could look like adding mushrooms to your scrambled eggs or including a banana alongside your porridge. Just make a conscious effort to tick off one of your five a day at breakfast.

Plan snacks around plants

Regardless of what diet you follow, everyone can benefit from eating more plants. A great way to do this is to plan your snacks around fruits and vegetables.

Carrot, cucumber, pepper, sugar snap peas and edamame beans make great vegetable snacks; pair them with some hummus or a homemade low-fat yoghurt and mint dip.

Any fruit works well as a snack and most pair nicely with a few teaspoons of almond or peanut butter to make a more substantial snack.

Eat plant-based, protein-rich foods

If the thought of a bean chilli or lentil spaghetti bolognese doesn’t appeal to you, simply make your usual ones but try adding in a tin of beans or lentils while its cooking. They will add more fibre to your meal, helping you stay full for longer, and reduce the amount of saturated fat you are consuming (providing you eat your usual portion size).

An added bonus is beans and lentils are much cheaper than buying meat, so you can bulk up your meals and make them go further at a fraction of the cost.

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at:  www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/.

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-cookbook/.

Make it to the end of Veganuary at Fort Kinnaird

With just a few days left of Veganuary, thinking of ways to keep dishes new and exciting can be a challenge.

For those looking for inspiration, or a treat that doesn’t break your resolution, here’s five vegan-friendly options at Fort Kinnaird that will keep tastebuds satisfied:

  1. Enjoy some ‘vegatsu’ at wagamama 

With wagamama committing to making half of its menu meat-free by 2022, there is a growing number of vegan options available at the restaurant in Fort Kinnaird – which is open until 9.00pm every day. 

With dishes including silky, rich kareborosuramen, vegan ribs and vegatsu on the menu, those in search of a vegan meal will be spoilt for choice. Check out the menu here. 

  1. Try the vegan experience at Frankie & Benny’s 

Frankie & Benny’s has long been a family favourite and the chain now has a host of vegan options on their menu for those looking to try more plant-based options. 

The Tower Beet Burger, loaded with vegan mozzarella, sliced aubergine, napolitana sauce and torn basil is a mouthwatering option, while the vegan peperoni pizza along with plantballs Italiano and vegan ice cream mean there is something for everyone at Frankie & Benny’s. 

The restaurant at Fort Kinnaird is open until 9.00pm from Monday to Thursday and until 10.00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, making it an ideal way to complete your day out. 

  1. Experience the ‘Angry Vegan’ at Bread Meats Bread

Bread Meats Bread has been a hit at Fort Kinnaird ever since it opened its doors, and the restaurant has a number of incredible vegan options.

Using Moving Mountains Plant Based Burgers, the team at Bread Meats Bread have developed a range of delicious burgers, including the ‘Cheesy M&M’ and the ‘Angry Vegan’, for those looking for a fantastic burger, without the meat.

Find out more about Bread Meats Bread’s largest restaurant in Scotland here.

  1. Get the best of the Plant Kitchen range at M&S 

This bestselling range at M&S is a staple for those looking to create plant-based meals at home. 

Spice up your night with tacos made with Plant Kitchen fishless goujons or pack a punch with crispy BBQ wings inspired by the flavours of Korea.  

After a sweet treat? Plant Kitchen now offers salted caramel cookie dough – perfect for layering with fruit and dairy-free ice cream. 

Pop into the Fort Kinnaird store to discover the full range.  

  1. The vegan treats are sweet at Hotel Chocolat

Luxury British chocolatier and cacao grower Hotel Chocolat is well known for its incredible chocolate selection, but did you know the retailer also stocks a host of vegan options?

With the ‘vegan sleekster’ selection box and the ‘all dark vegan chocolate hamper’ available, pop in store to see the incredible range of vegan sweet treats.

To find out more, visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/.

Veganuary on a budget: Personal Finance Expert’s tips

Paul Wilson, Personal Finance Expert at CashLady.com, shares his ideas on how to keep going with Veganuary if you’re on a budget.

Veganuary is a great time to try starting some new habits and making a change to your lifestyle. If you’re not used to a plant-based diet, you might be starting to find it tricky to stay on track.

We know more about money than making delicious meals, but with a few weeks left of January, here’s some tips on how you can keep up with Veganuary without it costing the earth: 

1.                Yellow labels 

Fresh produce is by far the most likely to be reduced in the supermarket. Different supermarkets generally reduce their stock at different times; ask in store when they start marking down prices and make sure you get there when they do. You can pick up lots of reduced fruit and vegetables to whip up stews and curries with.

2.                Bulk buy 

If you’ve found a few recipes you know you like and have gotten the hang of cooking plant based meals, then stock up on the things you know you’ll use. You can make savings by buying multipacks rather than individual items every time you need them 

3.                 Save your leftovers 

Don’t throw away what you don’t eat. Save it and use it for lunch the next day. Saving money by not buying yet another meal deal could help see you through until the end of January.

4.                 Shop online 

Type ‘meat free’ or vegan into your shopping app and it will bring up all the relevant options. You can then see which are on offer or are cheaper and choose those instead of more expensive options. Rather than planning what you are eating and then buying those ingredients, do it the other way round and buy the items on offer then make a meal from them. 

5.                 Offers everywhere 

If you’ve had enough of cooking and fancy a Friday night off, January couldn’t be a better time. There are a huge number of restaurants trying to tempt us back in with 50% offers. Be sure to search for offers in your area before you book anywhere to make sure you’re getting a good deal alongside a good meal. 

6.                 Eat more veg 

Meat or dairy substitutes can be costly. Eating meals that are vegetable based means you aren’t forking out for big name brands or packaging. Cooking from scratch can really help you keep a handle on what you spend and also be much more exciting than a pre-packed burger. 

7.                 Visit the greengrocer 

If you have the time, get down to the greengrocers. Just as with the yellow labels, you can ask if they have any produce that is near it’s best before and ask for a discount. You can also buy in singles rather than pre-packed bundles, and find items that might not be in the supermarket to give your diet variety and inspire you to keep going.  

8.                 Meal boxes 

If you’re really struggling to come up with new dinner ideas in Veganuary, then you could try signing up to a meal subscription service. They always offer introductory discounts, like 50% off your first box, and you can cancel any time. You can select only vegan meals and they send you recipe cards with step-by-step instructions. Keep the recipe cards, and once you’ve got the hang of it, cancel the subscription and start buying and making the recipes yourself. 

9.              Pin It 

There are so many resources on the internet to find new vegan recipes, but it’s easy to forget where you saw them. Create a board on Pinterest and save all your favourite meals on there. That way, you won’t run out of ideas and end up spending too much on takeaways or meals out. 

Paul Wilson is a Consumer Finance Expert at Financial Conduct Authority authorised and regulated credit broker CashLady.com   

Healthy Heart Tip: Veganuary

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Veganism is on the rise and this January many people will challenge themselves to ‘Veganuary’, a month-long campaign aimed at encouraging people to try out a vegan diet. A vegan diet contains only plant-based food and drink options and this can offer benefits for the environment, animal welfare and health.

The health benefits of a vegan diet depend on what food and drinks you choose. People who follow a vegan diet generally consume more fruit, veg and fibre, and less saturated fat than non-vegans, and this can have a positive impact on heart health.

Tips for healthy eating as a vegan:

  • Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day – keep it varied and colourful.
  • Base your meals on starchy carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta and rice, and choose wholegrain versions to increase your fibre intake.
  • Include dairy-free alternatives, such as soya drinks and yoghurts and choose lower-fat and lower-sugar options where possible.
  • Eat protein-rich foods such as beans, pulses, tofu, unsalted nuts, and seeds.
  • Ensure you include some unsaturated oils and spreads in your diet. Rapeseed and flaxseed oils contain omega-3 fats, which can be beneficial for heart health.  

Top yourself up!

  • To make sure your body isn’t missing out on essential nutrients, a vegan diet needs to be well-planned, and you might need to top up on some vitamins.
  • At this time of the year, when sunlight exposure is limited, everyone in the UK should consider taking a vitamin D supplement. This is especially important if you’re cutting out animal products.
  • You’ll also need to supplement on vitamin B12 as you can’t get this from plant-based foods. Check food labels for the word ‘fortified’- most vegan spreads, breakfast cereals and soya products have vitamin D, calcium and B12 added to them.

The vegan diet isn’t the be all and end all to good health but taking a leaf out of the vegan way could set you off in the right direction when it comes to heart health. Why not give Veganuary a go? You could start with just one vegan meal a day, or one vegan day a week, and see how you like it!

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: 

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-cookbook/

Heart Research UK Healthy Tips

Take a leaf out of Veganuary

The number of people following a vegan diet has risen in recent years and this month, many people are challenging themselves with ‘Veganuary’. A vegan diet contains only plant-based foods, such as grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds. It is generally accepted that a vegan diet can offer benefits for the environment, animal welfare and your health.

The benefits of the vegan diet for your heart depends on which foods you choose and what else you do with your lifestyle. People who cut animal foods out of their diets tend to benefit from more fruit, veg and fibre and less saturated fat, with favourable blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Why not try out some of our Vegan inspired Healthy Heart Tips:

Try a new recipe

You can find lots of tasty vegan recipes online, such as on the BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/diets/vegan.

Oil up

Rapeseed oil, flaxseed oil, walnuts, green leafy vegetables and soya products contain omega-3 fat which, when swapped for foods high in saturated fat, like fatty meats and cheese, could help to protect your heart and arteries. To cut down on animal fats, why not try swapping minced beef in your recipes for lentils, beans or chickpeas.

Look for reinforcements

To make sure your body isn’t missing out on essential nutrients, a vegan diet needs to be well-planned and you might need to top up on some vitamins. This time of year when sunlight exposure is limited, everyone in the UK should consider taking a vitamin D supplement.

This is especially important if you’re cutting out animal products. You’ll also need to supplement on vitamin B12 as you can’t get this from plant-based foods. Check food labels for the word ‘fortified’- most vegan spreads, breakfast cereals and soya products have vitamin D, calcium and B12 added to them.

The Vegan Society provides information about good nutrition for people following a vegan diet. Take a look at: https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients

The vegan diet isn’t the be all and end all to good health, but taking a leaf out of the vegan way could set you off in the right direction when it comes to heart health.

So why not give it a go, start with one meal a day or one day a week and see how you like it.