Eating right

A vegan diet is not automatically a healthy one. Chips (crisps) and sweets can be vegan, but a diet based on junk food obviously isn’t nutritious. However, a well-planned vegan diet can contain all the elements of healthy eating.

Make sure you consume high-fibre, low-kilojoule foods such as fruit, vegetables, grains and legumes balanced with some high (good) fat foods such as oils, nuts, avocados and dried fruit. Eat lots of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables; less colourful bananas and potatoes are useful sources of protein but lack important nutrients. Also make sure there are plenty of starchy foods (potatoes, rice, grains, bread) and beans and pulses in the mix.