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    Hummusapien » Uncategorized » Easy Plant-Based Meal Planning

    Easy Plant-Based Meal Planning

    Published Aug 2, 2016 · Modified Sep 7, 2022 · by Alexis Joseph · 32 Comments

    This guide to plant-based meal planning makes it easy to prep healthy, vegetarian meals for the week ahead in order to save time, money, energy, and calories!

    How amazing would it be to peek inside the mind of a crazy, hungry, scatter-brained dietitian food blogger extraordinaire (ha!) each Sunday when she's planning the escapades for the week ahead? Today, my friends, we are doing just that!

    This guide to plant-based meal planning makes it easy to prep healthy, vegetarian meals for the week ahead in order to save time, money, energy, and calories!

    What I didn't want this post to be was a long, drawn-out novel about what macro and micronutrients you need for every meal. Everyone has different energy needs based on several factors like height, weight, activity level, age, gender, etc. so nothing is one size fits all. My goal here was to give you a quick guide to easy plant-based meal planning---some ideas for how you can plan out balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for the week ahead.

    I always tell my clients that if all else fails, there are a few simple tweaks they can do to their diet to set themselves up for success. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail! Even a couple hours on the weekends makes a HUGE difference.

    plant-based-meal-planning

    Number 1: Make a smoothie for breakfast and make Freezer Smoothie Packs your best friend. If it's in the freezer, you'll make it! Smoothies ensure you're getting a hefty dose of fruits, veggies, and superfoods early in the morning to energize you through the day. We all fall short on those food groups!

    Number 2: Make at least two salads ahead of time to have throughout the week for lunch. More details below. My rule is to include a fruit or veggie and every meal and snack and this makes it fool-proof!

    Number 3: Prep at least two snack options, even if that means pre-portioning nuts or baking whole grain muffins.

    Number 4: Make at least one new recipe every week. Boost your kitchen confidence!

    Number 5: Make a batch each week of something yummy and healthy you can have in the fridge ready to go for dinner after work, like veggie burgers, soup, lasagna, enchiladas, stir fry, whole grain pasta, etc.

    Onto the recipe ideas!

    Breakfast Options:

    smoothiebowl

    --Smoothie: For a general formula, try ½ cup frozen berries (I use frozen Wild Blueberries from Costco), 1 small frozen banana, 1 cup fresh or frozen spinach, 1 tbsp chia/flax/hemp seeds/nut butter, 1 scoop chocolate Vega Protein + Greens protein powder, medjool date/stevia to sweeten (I also add in 1 tbsp cacao and 1 tsp spirulina), and unsweetened vanilla almond milk to blend. I like making mine extra thick and topping with drippy peanut butter and Power O's for crunch. Make freezer smoothie packs ahead of time for easy prep.

    --Oatmeal: Overnight oats like these Zucchini Banana Oats come together in just minutes. You can also make oats in the crockpot or overnight (which is what I do in the winter). I also like to make baked oatmeal bars for grab-and go. Try these Lemon Coconut Baked Oatmeal Cups, Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cups, and Banana Zucchini Oatmeal Cups.

    --DIY Cereal: Combine ½ cup old-fashioned oats, 1 tsp ground flax, 1 tsp cacao nibs (optional for crunch), a hefty sprinkle of cinnamon, and a heaping tbsp of chopped walnuts in a bowl. Top with fresh berries, sliced banana, and lots of unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Devour!

    --Toast: Look for a sprouted whole grain bread like Ezekiel. Top two slices with ¼ of an avocado (mashed), red pepper flakes, and sea salt OR 1 tablespoon almond butter + a handful of berries OR a few tbsp of hummus, arugula, sliced cucumber, and sriracha each.

    --Pancakes: I'm all about the quick, healthy mixes. Simple Mills, Bob's 7-grain mix and Pamela's are all great options! For the egg substitute, stir together a tablespoon of ground flax and three tablespoons water in a small bowl. Let it sit for five minutes that proceed with recipe.

    Lunch Options:

    lunch4

    --DIY Salad: Make 5 salads to take for lunches throughout the week that have plenty of veggies, a plant-based protein, and healthy fat. For the base, I like to use organic mixed greens or arugula. Then I add pre-shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, tomato, and green onion. For the protein, I'll use one of the following: a veggie burger, ½ cup of chickpeas, black beans, TJ's pre-cooked lentils, or edamame (dry roasted is great for crunch, too). Then I'll add some leftover roasted sweet potatoes for pizazz. For healthy fat, pack avocado or add a sprinkle of your favorite nuts/seeds. Season with salt and pepper and pack your favorite dressing on the side. I usually just whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, a squirt of maple and Dijon, oregano, salt, pepper. Salads in a jar are another super convenient option!

    --Veggie Burger: This Tomato Basil version is my current favorite.

    --Mediterranean Quinoa or Quinoa Fried Rice (or try a Mexican version with black beans, corn, red onion, cilantro, tomatoes, peppers, and cumin lime dressing).

    --Soup: Make a batch of soup that's a meal in bowl! Be sure to choose a recipe with some kind of protein to hold you over, like lentil soup, cream of broccoli, black bean soup, etc.

    To round it out, pack sliced veggies (carrots, peppers, cucumber, celery) and hummus/guacamole, a small muffin/no-bake bite, and a piece of fruit.

    Snack Options:

    --Chia Pudding

    --No-bake bites or muffins

    --3 cups air-popped popcorn + piece of fruit

    --Baked sweet potato slices + 1 tbsp nut butter + cinnamon

    --¼ cup nuts + piece of fruit

    --Brown rice cake + hummus + sliced cucumber

    --⅓ cup dry-roasted edamame + piece of fruit

    Dinner Options:

    stir fry

    --Easy Vegetable Teriyaki Stir Fry (use frozen veggies and brown rice for quick prep)

    --The Best Vegan Lasagna or Baked Spaghetti with Tofu Ricotta (both of these make a HUGE batch)

    --Vegan Meatball Subs

    --Vegetarian Chili

    --Tempeh and Kale Enchilada Casserole: a meal in a bowl--protein, fat, and veggies!

    --Vegan Enchiladas: there's no one that doesn't like these!

    -- Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes (or baked sweet potato + ½ cup black beans + ¼ of an avocado + ½ cup salsa, fried egg optional)

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

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    1. John Robert says

      March 03, 2019 at 5:30 am

      Thanks for your awesome article. Actually, Out of the many hurdles of starting a plant-based diet, coming up with easy, tasty recipes and a nutritionally sound meal plan for every day is one of the main ones. Few people know which foods to choose for a well-rounded meal and are almost intimidated to get into plant-based meal planning.

      Reply
    2. John Robert says

      March 03, 2019 at 5:30 am

      Thanks for your awesome article. Actually, Out of the many hurdles of starting a plant-based diet, coming up with easy, tasty recipes and a nutritionally sound meal plan for every day is one of the main ones. Few people know which foods to choose for a well-rounded meal and are almost intimidated to get into plant-based meal planning.

      Reply
    3. EmmaMcGann says

      December 01, 2018 at 5:45 am

      I love how you bring up that practicing and eating well is so significantly less demanding when you have somebody to converse with and energize you en route. My sister-in-law needs to get fit as a fiddle, however she's experienced serious difficulties restraining herself. She would truly profit by going to practice classes with the goal that she could make companions who could bolster her and consider her responsible.

      Reply
    4. EmmaMcGann says

      December 01, 2018 at 5:45 am

      I love how you bring up that practicing and eating well is so significantly less demanding when you have somebody to converse with and energize you en route. My sister-in-law needs to get fit as a fiddle, however she's experienced serious difficulties restraining herself. She would truly profit by going to practice classes with the goal that she could make companions who could bolster her and consider her responsible.

      Reply
    5. marryclaire says

      October 17, 2018 at 12:54 am

      I love this article. This is very well written. You have truly enriched me with some excellent knowledge.

      Reply
    6. marryclaire says

      October 17, 2018 at 12:54 am

      I love this article. This is very well written. You have truly enriched me with some excellent knowledge.

      Reply
    7. Carla Patterson says

      September 25, 2018 at 3:00 am

      Great post! I’m currently at my weight loss journey as well – although I try to keep myself relatively skinny throughout the year, so it’s only just for a few periods! Thanks for being such a great motivation though:)

      Reply
    8. Carla Patterson says

      September 25, 2018 at 3:00 am

      Great post! I’m currently at my weight loss journey as well – although I try to keep myself relatively skinny throughout the year, so it’s only just for a few periods! Thanks for being such a great motivation though:)

      Reply
    9. FirstSpencer says

      November 17, 2017 at 4:19 pm

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      November 17, 2017 at 4:19 pm

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    11. Brenna Truhe says

      December 10, 2016 at 12:52 am

      I have been wanting and attempting to transition to plant based eating for a while and have been looking for something exactly like this. I'm so glad I stumbled across this post. I'm going to continue to peek around your site. Thank you for such a great post!!

      Reply
    12. Brenna Truhe says

      December 10, 2016 at 12:52 am

      I have been wanting and attempting to transition to plant based eating for a while and have been looking for something exactly like this. I'm so glad I stumbled across this post. I'm going to continue to peek around your site. Thank you for such a great post!!

      Reply
    13. Alyssa says

      December 09, 2016 at 11:06 am

      I so love this! Your article really streamlines and simplified vegan meal planning better than any other I have read as of yet. As a busy active working mom (and the only vegan in my household) I am usually all over the place when it comes to my own nutrition and meals and therefore always end up reaching for junky processed food! Thank you for this, I am happy that I stumbled across this and at great timing! Will keep this in mind going into the upcoming year!

      Reply
    14. Alyssa says

      December 09, 2016 at 11:06 am

      I so love this! Your article really streamlines and simplified vegan meal planning better than any other I have read as of yet. As a busy active working mom (and the only vegan in my household) I am usually all over the place when it comes to my own nutrition and meals and therefore always end up reaching for junky processed food! Thank you for this, I am happy that I stumbled across this and at great timing! Will keep this in mind going into the upcoming year!

      Reply
    15. Tina C says

      September 10, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      Thank you for sharing this information! My doctor told me I needed to lose some weight, but didn't really tell me how. Then my chiropractor told me to try "vegetable based meals", then I stumbled upon your site on pinterest. My daughter invited me to a group page for weight loss/fitness challenge. This information is going to help me stay focused! I love the idea of cooking something new each week, and prepping snacks in advance. Looking forward to meeting my weight loss/fitness challenge!!!!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        September 10, 2016 at 9:48 pm

        I'm so happy that you've found the site & so happy you're excited to move forward! And I cannot agree more, cooking new things regularly keeps me curious and interested in the good food I'm putting in my body. Keep rockin, lady!

        Reply
    16. Tina C says

      September 10, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      Thank you for sharing this information! My doctor told me I needed to lose some weight, but didn't really tell me how. Then my chiropractor told me to try "vegetable based meals", then I stumbled upon your site on pinterest. My daughter invited me to a group page for weight loss/fitness challenge. This information is going to help me stay focused! I love the idea of cooking something new each week, and prepping snacks in advance. Looking forward to meeting my weight loss/fitness challenge!!!!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        September 10, 2016 at 9:48 pm

        I'm so happy that you've found the site & so happy you're excited to move forward! And I cannot agree more, cooking new things regularly keeps me curious and interested in the good food I'm putting in my body. Keep rockin, lady!

        Reply
    17. Jess says

      August 04, 2016 at 11:58 am

      Love this blog post Alexis! It really helps simplify pant-based meal planning! Really helpful for people like me who work full-time and need to always be packing lunch to go!

      Reply
    18. Jess says

      August 04, 2016 at 11:58 am

      Love this blog post Alexis! It really helps simplify pant-based meal planning! Really helpful for people like me who work full-time and need to always be packing lunch to go!

      Reply
    19. Evangeline Kennedy says

      August 02, 2016 at 9:25 pm

      This is such a helpful post! I love taking a peek into that food genius brain of yours. I want to make and eat it ALL!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        August 03, 2016 at 8:13 am

        Yay! I'm so glad you liked it 😉

        Reply
        • Sarah says

          November 25, 2016 at 10:01 pm

          My favorite vegan blog so far. I am newish to this way of life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

          Reply
          • Alexis says

            November 26, 2016 at 11:01 pm

            You're so sweet, thanks!!

    20. Evangeline Kennedy says

      August 02, 2016 at 9:25 pm

      This is such a helpful post! I love taking a peek into that food genius brain of yours. I want to make and eat it ALL!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        August 03, 2016 at 8:13 am

        Yay! I'm so glad you liked it 😉

        Reply
        • Sarah says

          November 25, 2016 at 10:01 pm

          My favorite vegan blog so far. I am newish to this way of life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

          Reply
          • Alexis says

            November 26, 2016 at 11:01 pm

            You're so sweet, thanks!!

    21. Meah says

      August 02, 2016 at 10:36 am

      I love this meal planning post! I currently don't have to meal prep since it's summer, but when the school year rolls around, I'm gonna have to get back into the prep groove. Definitely pinning some these recipes 🙂 !

      xxMeah

      Reply
      • SHERRI webber says

        January 26, 2017 at 1:12 am

        Love the 'look' of those Curate Bars...yummy! But after looking at the ingredients...way too much sugar for me. They would be great for an occasional dessert, but not for a regular snack.

        Reply
    22. Meah says

      August 02, 2016 at 10:36 am

      I love this meal planning post! I currently don't have to meal prep since it's summer, but when the school year rolls around, I'm gonna have to get back into the prep groove. Definitely pinning some these recipes 🙂 !

      xxMeah

      Reply
      • SHERRI webber says

        January 26, 2017 at 1:12 am

        Love the 'look' of those Curate Bars...yummy! But after looking at the ingredients...way too much sugar for me. They would be great for an occasional dessert, but not for a regular snack.

        Reply

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