How to start with plant-based eating? My story & 5 practical tips
If you’re thinking about eating more plant-based but aren’t quite sure where to start — you’re definitely not alone. When I first made the shift myself, I had exactly the same feeling. I still eat meat and fish occasionally, but I had been feeling for a while that I wanted to approach food more consciously. Not out of obligation, but because it simply felt right.
My biggest motivation? The climate. Our food choices have a huge impact on the planet. By eating fewer animal products, you can significantly reduce that impact. On top of that, I noticed how much plant-based food was improving my health: fewer digestive issues, more energy. Of course, it’s not always easy — especially if your partner or kids haven’t quite made that mental switch yet. That’s why I’m sharing the five insights that helped me the most during the early phase.
Five tips to start eating more plant-based with ease
- Start small. You don’t have to go 100% plant-based overnight. Even just one or two plant-based days per week is a great way to begin. It gives you space to explore what feels right for you.
- Choose familiar dishes that are easy to make plant-based. Think chili sin carne, pasta with lentil Bolognese, coconut curry with chickpeas... You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to enjoy flavorful meals.
- Stock up your pantry. Legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, nutritional yeast, plant-based milk… Having a few basics at home makes cooking so much easier — and less overwhelming.
- Stay curious about new ingredients. My biggest challenge? Learning to bake with aquafaba, make sauces with nutritional yeast, and create good plant-based desserts. But honestly — it became the most fun part of the journey.
- Forget the classic lettuce-tomato-cucumber combo. Plant-based eating is so much more than raw veggies. Playing with spices, herbs and textures opens up an entirely new world in your kitchen.
What exactly is plant-based food?
Plant-based food includes everything that comes from plants: vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and plant-based oils. Some people choose to completely avoid animal products like meat, fish, dairy and eggs, while others just aim to reduce them.
For me, it’s not about perfection. It’s about conscious choices that are sustainable in the long run — for your body, your mind and the world around you.
What changed for me?
Since I started eating more plant-based, I feel lighter — not just physically, but mentally too. I experience more stable energy, better sleep, and my skin feels calmer. But above all: I feel more connected to the choices I make. That connection brings a sense of peace.
Want to give it a try?
To help you get started, I’ve created a simple beginner’s guide — including a handy shopping list with staple ingredients. Perfect if you feel overwhelmed or just don’t know where to begin. 📩 Just send me an email, and I’ll send the guide straight to your inbox.
Want to cook together?
Sometimes it’s just nice to step into the kitchen with like-minded people. In my plant-based cooking workshops, you’ll learn step by step how to create delicious, nourishing meals — with simple ingredients and no complicated fuss.
Curious? Feel free to send me a message if you want to know more via the contactpage .
Plant-based eating is not a goal in itself. It’s a way of living more consciously. Give yourself time. Be kind. And most of all, discover how incredibly tasty and nourishing this way of eating can be.
With love,
Annelies