One of the biggest misconceptions about veganism is that you are “giving up” your favorite foods or snack, and relegated to a steady “diet” of grass, sticks, tofu and ice cubes. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Just today (not that I expect everyone to follow my eating choices), I had some leftover potato chips and an apple with peanut butter for breakfast (really a hefty snack, but hey, my adult choice). My friend and I went to a diner for early lunch, and whether it was the cold NYC weather or what, I decided to eat a vegetable side dish of rice, onions, and spinach paired with a mixture of plain and curly fries for my meal. Guilt level? Zero. Zip. Nada. Why? I’m not paying for murdered animals to enjoy my gustatory pleasures, and the balance of my plant-based diet means I know what I can have and when, how much I can splurge and when to stick to more alkaline, simplistic foods. It all comes down to balance and “all things in moderation”.
Moderation all good and well, this is a short post on two of my favorite go-to snacks that are easy, and able to be enjoyed raw. The first are pistachios (obviously not healthy for those with a nut allergy) as they offer a buttery taste that is somewhere mysteriously between sweet and savory. Depending on where you go, price range can change a bit, but as always it is my goal to find not only the most ethical sources for food, but also sources mindful of those “balling on a budget”. Here I was able to locate a 16-oz bag for a respectable $6.49 at the local Aldi store. Buying a combo meal at a fast food joint is comparable, so why pay for poison in one hit when you can have a reusable snack bag boasting “containing 3 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, and 11 grams of heart-healthy fat per serving – about 49 nuts.” They also have about 20% daily value of copper and manganese, both vital in overall health for a myriad of reasons.
Next up, I was pleased to find an affordable bread that was wheat-free (I’m technically allergic to wheat itself, not gluten which is a bonding protein found in wheat, barley, oats, and rye) and treaded lightly in the areas where most breads lay on chemically-laden enriched flours, useless calories, and sugar.
My Three Grain Bread contains the following important nutrients:
* Dietary fiber: 6g
* Sugar: 0g
* Protein: 4g
* Iron: 15%For those who are not near an Aldi, as always, Amazon is a great secondary go-to for home delivery on all things healthy. You can purchase it here in single packs:
All in one slice of bread are those nutritional qualities, prior to dolling it up with peanut butter (i.e. more protein), coconut (you can always toast it for 5 minutes on medium low in your toaster oven), and some holistically-chosen spices.
So tell me, why is protein such a question for non-vegans? Is it a concern regardless of the chosen eating lifestyle you follow? Have you met a SINGLE person with a bonafide protein deficiency? Self education is key every time. A tiny toaster oven can do works in popping out snacks the same as the ease you receive by finding easy raw snacks that are great on the go and require no cooking. You’ll get the results of your own efforts 100% of the time.As always, Happy Snacking!
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