Vegan Foods

Vegan recipes are unique from most other diet recipes because they contain no animal products. Veganism is a lifestyle based upon a love and respect for animal life, and as such vegans do not eat any foods that use animal products as ingredients. Other types of food may have meatless dishes, but vegans also cut out animal fats, milk, eggs and other animal-based ingredients commonly used in cooking and baking. Vegans often use nutritional supplements to continue getting adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals.

The Internet is full of recipes for cooking flavorful, nutritious dishes that adhere to the vegan code. Following vegan recipes is a great way to learn the ins and outs of the vegan menu. Cooking in this style is different than anything most people are used to, and recipes will help you learn about the many ingredients that can be used in place of animal ingredients.

Common ingredients used to replace animal products include:

Tofu: Made from steamed and compressed soy beans, Tofu is known as the white meat of the vegetarian community. Tofu is rich in protein yet low in calories and cholesterol. If you've ever had soup or noodle dishes at Asian restaurants, chances are you've also had tofu.

Soy milk: The perfect alternative to cow's milk, soy milk comes in several flavors and is a staple of many vegetarian cooking recipes. Soy milk has less cholesterol than standard milk and is usually infused with calcium to boost its nutritional benefits.

Vegetarian cheese: Special cheeses made from yeast can replace normal cheese in recipes. These plant-based cheese products contain no ingredients that came from animals.

Cornstarch, sweet potatoes, whole wheat flower: These ingredients, and many others, are often used to replace eggs as bonding agents in recipes. In recipes where eggs are used as lightening agents, interchangeable ingredients include smashed bananas, tofu or applesauce.