Wanna avoid the Freshman 15? Or maybe you’ve already been through that (Leung is guilty) and want to get back on track. Learn to prepare simple meals from scratch to fuel your brain and body with the nutrients it needs to succeed while sparing your bank account from further damage.
First, stock up your kitchen with healthy ingredients. Here’s a guideline for how to build a vegan kitchen. Having a pantry and refrigerator with plant-based essentials will not only prepare you to make many of the recipes from Radiant Rachels, but also help you make better choices. If the junk food isn’t staring at you each time you open the cupboard, you’ll be less likely to eat it. Out of sight out of mind!
Spend a bit of time over the weekend planning out what you want to eat in the coming week, especially dinner because that’s likely the meal you’ll spend time cooking, and the meal that will save you the most money (compared to dining out). We usually cook a big batch, enough for 2 to 4 servings, so that leftovers can be eaten for lunch and/or dinner later in the week. Go out to the grocery store and purchase the ingredients, primarily produce and refrigerated goods, that you’ll need for just that week. I’ve discovered that one person doesn’t need much! Excess food bought on a whim makes my wallet wince and it often goes bad before I get to eating it.
Here is a round up of all 8 recipes from our college series, covering breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. We’ve also included 21 other healthy vegan recipes to keep meals interesting throughout the year. Now eat well, work hard, and conquer this school year!
Breakfast
1. Creamy Coconut & Berries Oatmeal
vegan, gluten free, no added sugars
The creamiest and fluffiest hot oatmeal you’ll ever come across, that also happens to cost less than your latte. Don’t have time to cook in the mornings? Try the overnight version!
2. Black Rice Pudding with Mango Puree or Trail Mix
vegan, gluten free, no added sugars
A grab ‘n go breakfast that looks fancy but really is dirt cheap. Like less-than-50-cents type cheap.
vegan, gluten free, no refined sugars
Dubbed as My Favourite Overnight Oats, this decadent breakfast has received endless love from readers.
vegan, gluten free, no refined sugars
Did you know making artisan granola from scratch is suuuuper easy? This homemade granola is free from all nasty ingredients and is a fraction of the cost of anything you’ll find at the store.
Vegan, no refined sugars
More caramel apple goodness for breakfast.
6. Nut Butter & (no) Jam Toast
vegan, no added sugars
There’s no need for jam when you have fresh fruit.
7. Basic Sweet & Savoury Crepes
vegan, gluten-free, no refined sugars
Walk into class with a crepe in your hand. You’ll make lots of friends if you bring extras.
Lunch
8. Strawberry Basil Balsamic Crostini
vegan option, no added sugars
Don’t throw that stale bread away! Crisp it up in the oven and top it with fresh berries and herbs.
vegan
Crispy turmeric tofu makes any avocado toast better.
vegetarian with vegan options, no added sugars
Pick one or two for a well-rounded meal that can be put together in minutes. Toasts are quadruple-duty and are just as acceptable to eat as breakfast, snack, or dinner.
11. Avocado Chickpea Salad with Pesto
vegan, gluten free
The lunch that will make everybody drool around you.
vegan, gluten-free
Made with red peppers, tomatoes, almond milk, and tahini, this soup is described as “silky smooth, lightly creamy, and refreshing”.
vegan
Kumara is just the fancy name for sweet potato, and sweet potato is joyous.
14. Kale Persimmon Pecan Salad
vegan, gluten free
Salad inspiration. Get yo greens in.
Snacks
vegan, gluten free, no refined sugars
Fight midday hanger attacks in fall style.
16. Walnut Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies
vegan, gluten free, no refined sugars
The best oatmeal cookies you’ll ever eat. Period.
vegan, gluten free, no refined sugars
Snack smart by nibbling on a handful of nuts. 4 ingredients and 10 minutes are all you’ll need to make these sweet and salty pecans.
18. Crustless Mini Pumpkin Pies
vegan, gluten-free, no added sugars
Satisfy your pumpkin cravings with this banana-sweetened pumpkin pie without the hassle of making a crust.
vegan, gluten-free
One of the quickest snacks to make when you need that instant energy boost (don’t grab that energy drink; eat a few of these and you’ll be all set!)
20. Beans on Toast
vegan, gluten-free option
Light, refreshing, and packed with plant protein. What can be a better snack?
21. Pumpkin Spice Roasted Chickpeas
vegan, gluten-free, no refined sugars
A good ol’ crunchy snack packed with protein and holiday flavours.
22. Mint Chocolate Sunflower Bites
vegan, no refined sugars, gluten-free option
Perfect if you’re allergic to any nuts!
Dinner
23. Butternut Squash Mac ‘n Peas
vegan, gluten free option, no added sugar, no added sodium
Put down that boxed mac and cheese and make a nutritious squash pasta sauce instead!
vegetarian with vegan option, gluten free, no added sugar, low sodium
Easier than take out. And a tenth of the price too.
vegan option, gluten free, no refined sugar, no added sodium
This Korean staple is a cinch to make and is also has the health benefits of fermented foods! Quinoa is a protein-rich alternative to rice and works just as well in this dish.
vegan, gluten free, no added sodium
As the weather outside gets chillier, warm up with a bowl of…chilli. Wait, I’m confused. Anyways, 20 minutes and you’ll have a hot meal in front of you.
vegan, gluten-free
Potato and chickpea based tater tots… low cost and easy to make!
28. One-Pot Lentil Tomato Curry
vegan, gluten-free
So easy you will make it over and over again.
vegan
Impress all your family & friends with this one with minimal effort (pretty much my approach to life).
vegan, gluten free option
A creamy, dreamy, savoury pumpkin pasta dish.
Wow, so much tastiness! ♥♥♥ Thank you very much for including my crepes!
Thanks for including my date bites! These recipes all look so good!