Hi, I have been eating wfpb for 10 months now and I kind of miss sandwiches and burgers. Any ideas for something that would give me a similar eating experience (eating a food with layers, eating with my hand).

Ideas I have thought of are big crispy pieces of lettuce instead of bun and a big portobello mushroom for a burger. Anyone have any ideas for a bun that are softer and more bun like?

Any ideas for a sandwich? What to use for bread replacement, and what to use for fillings?

Edit: I don’t eat flour so conventional bread (including “whole” grain) is out

Edit: again I’m looking for whole (totally whole not ground or even minimally processed) foods that can be a replacement for bread. Like how some people swap out lettuce for bread but I don’t want to use lettuce all the time, im looking for other options. I’m getting a lot of bread recipes with ingredients like flour, date syrup, ground lentils, and other foods that I don’t eat because I really take the “whole” part of Whole Foods seriously.

The Ultimate Umami Flavour Bomb Demi-Glace Sauce | Whole Food Plant Based. Absolutely love this superb ‘Umami Demi-Glacé Sauce’, which is unprocessed and is an absolute flavour bomb.

I’ve been on a WFPB diet for 9 months now (new year resolution). I have a colonoscopy coming up and I’m nervous about modifying my diet. I don’t think a few days off the diet will have any detrimental health effects but my concern is triggering my old cravings.

The diet was really hard at first but over time the cravings for sugary salty processed food as subsided and every month it gets easier.

Starting 5 days before the procedure I’m supposed to completely quit nuts/seeds and stick to a lower fiber diet. Then the day before the procedure it’s a liquid diet so just juice broth, jello, etc. I have been pretty adamant about avoiding juice and pretty much any calories in liquid form.

Any advice for preparing for the diet and minimize how much I trigger my old processed food cravings?

I reached out to our wonderful Mods and got permission to start a post about our favorite WFPB recipe blogs, websites, channels, and books. LET’S ALL ADD TO THIS LIST! 

I will start by listing my favorites, and I’m hoping if this post gets enough traction we can have enough of a list to make it worthy of pinning to the top of the subreddit, or adding to the wiki. This will help all of us who are stuck in a recipe rut, as well as those new to this way of cooking.

Feel free to post individual recipes and let everyone know what you love about them, or any links to sites or books that you rely on for inspiration. 

I am not affiliated in any way with any of these sites. I dislike cooking and am grateful to folks who take the time to develop recipes! I have Celiac Disease, so most of my recommendations are entirely gluten free or the site can be sorted that way easily. 

WFPB FOOD BLOGS/WEBSITES

1. My most-used site is www.powerhungry.com. I don’t see this site mentioned much, but if you are missing bread, dinner rolls, buns, or any other baked treat, definitely check it out. Her use of psyllium husk, chia, flax, etc. is genius! Leans heavily WFPB and gluten free and very simple and easy to prepare. I can’t say enough great things about her recipes! 

   1A. 2 ingredient coconut flour tortillas. 2 Ingredient Coconut Flour Tortillas {vegan, grain-free} | powerhungry®

   1B. Sweet Potato Enchilada Bake Vegan Sweet Potato Enchilada Bake {Oil-Free, Grain-Free}

   1C. High Protein Lentil Bread  High Protein Lentil Bread (Vegan, GF, Oil-Free) | powerhungry®  These are even better on day two!

2. My 2nd favorite is https://plantbasedcookingshow.com/category/recipes/  There is a video (and YouTube channel) to go with every recipe, which is helpful. The only downside is that the recipes are not sortable for allergens.  2A. The creamy salad dressings and sauces on this site are incredible. I use them once a week. This Creamy Italian Dressing is amazing. https://plantbasedcookingshow.com/2020/01/26/oil-free-vegan-creamy-italian-dressing/  2B. Purple Sweet Potato Pancakes. Yum! https://plantbasedcookingshow.com/2024/01/14/vegan-purple-sweet-potato-pancakes/

3. https://nutritionstudies.org/recipes/  T.Colin Campbell's site, featuring Chef AJ and other WFPB Chefs. 3A. Apple Pie That Won’t Make You Die https://nutritionstudies.org/recipes/dessert/apple-pie-that-wont-make-you-die/ 3B. Autumn Harvest Plant-Based Shepherds Pie https://nutritionstudies.org/recipes/main-dish/autumn-harvest-plant-based-shepherds-pie/

4. Another good one is https://www.plantbasedcooking.com/  You can use the search bar to search gluten-free or soy-free, etc. 4A. Smokey Tempeh Bacon https://www.plantbasedcooking.com/recipe/smoky-tempeh-bacon/ 4B. Mushroom Burgundy Sauce over Polenta https://www.plantbasedcooking.com/recipe/mushroom-burgundy-sauce-over-polenta/

5. https://simple-veganista.com/ Not entirely WFPB, but the recipes are easy enough to modify and the recipe index is easy to sort.  5A. Moroccan Pumpkin and Chickpea Stew. https://simple-veganista.com/moroccan-pumpkin-chickpea-stew/#tasty-recipes-8507-jump-target 5B. Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup. https://simple-veganista.com/hearty-lentil-soup/#tasty-recipes-29555-jump-target

6. https://faithfulplateful.com/ The recipe index cannot be filtered, which drives me crazy. But you can use the search bar.  6A. Herby Potato Salad https://faithfulplateful.com/herby-potato-salad/#wprm-recipe-container-81824 6B. Soba Noodle Salad https://faithfulplateful.com/soba-noodle-salad-wfpb-gluten-free/#wprm-recipe-container-81688

7. https://monkeyandmekitchenadventures.com/recipes/ Entirely WFPB, Oil-free recipes.

8. https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/

9. https://www.theconsciousplantkitchen.com/ Definitely not WFPB, but you can sort the recipes by diet choices, allergens, meal, etc. This site is mostly desserts and baked goods.  9A. Flaxseed Tortillas. https://www.theconsciousplantkitchen.com/flaxseed-tortillas/#wprm-recipe-container-46222 9B. Lemon Blueberry Baked Oatmeal https://www.theconsciousplantkitchen.com/lemon-blueberry-baked-oatmeal/

10. https://thecheekychickpea.com/vegan-recipes/ Lots of oil-free and whole food options here. 

10A. Chickpea Salad Sandwich. I omit the ¼ cup mayo entirely. https://thecheekychickpea.com/cheeky-chickpea-salad-sandwich-recipe/#recipe 10B. Vegetable Chow Mein (vegan) I leave out the oil in this recipe. https://thecheekychickpea.com/veggie-chow-mein-recipe/#tasty-recipes-964-jump-target

11. www.cleanfooddirtygirl.com Lots of gems on this website. If you’re bored of your normal food rotation, check this one out for unusual ideas. 

11A. WFPB Pizza https://cleanfooddirtygirl.com/healthy-grocery-shopping-explained-whole-food-plant-based-pizza/ 11B. Vegan Gluten-Free Quiche Florentine https://cleanfooddirtygirl.com/vegan-gluten-free-quiche-florentine/

12. https://www.thegardengrazer.com/wfpbno/ 

12A. Fiesta Rice and Black Beans. https://www.thegardengrazer.com/cheesy-fiesta-beans-rice/ 12B. Lemon Asparagus Orzo https://www.thegardengrazer.com/lemon-garlic-orzo-with-asparagus/

13. I think everyone has heard of this site already. I actually don’t use it often because some of them are difficult to make WFPB. But here is the oil-free recipe index: https://rainbowplantlife.com/diet/no-added-oil/  

14. https://giftofhealth.org/recipes/ I’m surprised more people don’t use this site. Lots of great WFPB recipes here!

14A. Butter Tofu   https://giftofhealth.org/recipe/butter-tofu/  Hint: it has no butter.  14B. Potato Zucchini Cakes https://giftofhealth.org/recipe/potato-zucchini-cakes/ 14C. Plant Based Egg Bites  https://giftofhealth.org/recipe/plant-based-egg-bites/

15. https://www.everydayplant-based.com/recipes/ 

15A. Mozzarella “cheese” that melts  https://www.everydayplant-based.com/pizza-homemade-healthy/ 15B. Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce https://www.everydayplant-based.com/spring-rolls-with-peanut-dipping-sauce/

16. https://frommybowl.com/category/diet/oil-free/page/2/ Not WFPB, but easy to modify and you can sort by oil-free. 

17. https://thefirstmess.com/recipes/ A very sortable recipe index, which i love!

18. https://alternativedish.com/category/oil-free-recipes/ 

19. https://ohsheglows.com/recipe-search/

20. https://delightfuladventures.com/recipes/?fwp_by_diet=oil-free-recipes  Vegan, but not WFPB. You can sort by oil-free.

21. https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/recipes/  All recipes are vegan and gluten-free. You can sort by sugar-free, but not oil free, which is annoying. 

22. https://thevegan8.com/category/oil-free-2/

21A. Vegan Cheesy Mexican Tortilla Bake https://thevegan8.com/vegan-cheesy-mexican-tortilla-bake/#recipe

23. https://minimalistbaker.com/recipe-index/ This site is a big hit and is infinitely sortable. 

24. https://plantbasedrdblog.com/recipes/ 

24A. Peanut Miso Cucumber Crunch Sandwhich https://plantbasedrdblog.com/2024/08/peanut-miso-cucumber-crunch-sandwich/#tasty-recipes-13624-jump-target 

25. https://zardyplants.com/category/recipes/ All recipes are vegan and oil-free. You cannot refine further than that. 

26. https://www.veganricha.com/category/oil-free-option/ All vegan, but you can only sort by one criteria at a time. 

I’ve got a WFPB afternoon potluck coming up. The food will need to travel a bit. I normally do the PB but not so much the WF. Besides boring stuff like fruit salads, most of my food has oil, or tofu, or something. I’m at a loss.

What are some less boring WFPB dishes you like that are relatively easy, with not too many uncommon ingredients, cold (I don’t have a way to keep it hot besides the outside air), that can keep in warm air for an hour or two without getting soggy or weird? Also, it should taste good!

Mushrooms are right out, as I can’t taste test them, because I don’t even kind of like them.

Thanks herbivores!

Is shredead wheat cereal (unfrosted) considered wfpb?

How many times a day do u eat whole grains? Any unconventional preparation ideas? Tia

So I just made a great walnut, mushroom and lentil bolognese. Simmered on low for 3 hours or so, flavor was brilliant. Only problem is that it seems that I’m allergic to lentils. Has anyone mashed down extra firm tofu and simmered in a sauce to replace “mince” and found the consistency good? I’m thinking I’ll swap out the lentils next time but want to make sure to replace with something that replicates that bite if traditional bolognese. Mostly because I’m trying to get my kids to eat it as well and the closest I can get to a mince the better!

Tell me what kitchen tools makes WFPB prep easy...or exciting.

I make 99% of my meals, treats, desserts myself and entirely from scratch down to my own bread. However I do like to indulge in treats very sparingly with a WFPB snack. I avoid using oils in my food but I reserve that only for a couple of siete chips here and there. Lately I have been craving a fruit filled/soft baked bar but it seems that most of them that claim to be “healthy” are filled with seed oils and cane sugar. I got a free sample of a olyra raspberry bar and I tried a bite and hit the spot - but the ingredients did not. I don’t know why they had to put the palm oil and cane sugar since they already added coconut oil and agave inulin. I would even settle for a soft baked breakfast bar and I can put jam on myself but the only one I could find is simple mills and they use egg whites unfortunately.

I think it's time to just accept how entirely unhealthy I am. I've been in the ER 3 times in the last week, for various issues including being treated for sepsis and fainting. I've also seen my PCP 3 times in the last 8 days, and he now wants me to wear a heart monitor for 2 weeks. And that's just the tip of the iceberg considering the other, chronic conditions I have.

I have been so healthy on WFPB in the past! I lost over 50 lbs in a few months, my lab work was greatly improving, and I felt amazing! And I truly know that it's the healthiest lifestyle there is. I've read all the books, watched the documentaries, follow a lot of WFPB people on fb & ig.

I just cannot seem to stick to it. I have my go to recipes that I can eat all the time without getting tired of them. But I HATE cooking. I hate it so much. And I'm also a hot mess right now and can barely leave my bed, let alone cook a whole meal.

Another thing is I'm 98% sure my husband will never follow me into this lifestyle. So we'll always be eating different things and there will always be trigger foods in the house.

Where do I go from here? How do I just get back into it? Are there any easy, non cook meals for a relatively picky eater that I can start with until I'm feeling better?

I’ve only truly tried to heavily introduce kale into my household 3 times… from 3 different stores. And all 3 times: bugs crawling on plates… dried larva husks… aphids.

Do you accept their presence and just wash them off? - I feel like I’m missing a basic cultural education here.

EDIT: Incredibly snarky and socially illiterate as usual, reddit! -- For those keeping score: I got 2 people who chose of their own volition to ignore the question completely and pretend that I didn't know about "washing". (As if this perspective wasn't better voiced by the people saying, "I just accept that kale has bugs and take it upon myself to kill them.")

I got 2 people who literally didn't believe that bugs rode the kale home from the store in the first place, one of whom decided my post was unrealistic... (dispite it being a common problem.)

...the 3 reasonable people who basically said: Yes. I accept that there are bugs, and I kill them.

Annnnnnd... the generic protein joke that went stale 25 years ago.

ACTUAL ANSWER: Most of us just nuke the bugs in vinegar and move on... but some of us have never had bugs on kale leaves, and those of us who do get bug-free kale don't have the slightest clue how we're pulling it off (i.e. We're eating pesticides.)

CONCLUSION: I'm never going to be a kale person. And I just need to get right with that reality.

I love tater tots, but not the added oil. I’ve been experimenting with this technique for a while. They are so crunchy on the outside and nice and creamy in the middle and are great for dipping. The secret is pre-cooking in the microwave, then smashing, and then air frying.

Prep time is about five minutes, but they do need about 30 minutes of cooking time.

10-15 unpeeled new potatoes (1-2 inches in size), washed then 2-3 slices most of the way through and then turn each potato over and turn it 90 degrees and cut 2-3 slices most of the way through. The slices are perpendicular to slices on the opposite side.

Microwave potatoes covered for 10 minutes.

Smash each potato to about 1/2 inch thickness then put one layer in the bottom of your air fryer. If you have a metal shelf for your air fryer then you can put in the shelf and then add another layer of potatoes otherwise you can just cook a single layer at a time.

Air fry for 10 minutes at 375F. Turn over potatoes and air fry for 10 more minutes.

Enjoy!

For those who successfully went salt-free, did your taste buds adjust to allow you to enjoy foods that you used to enjoy with salt?

How long did it take?

I'd love your feedback, because I am considering this next step in my health journey.

the almond milk we have been consuming is Blue Diamond unsweetened vanilla milk. It has gellan gum, calcium carbonate, potassium citrate....... only thing that I think is not good is the gellan gum...... ?????

what are you all drinking??

Hi everyone,

I've been following a whole food, plant-based diet for a few months and enjoying its benefits. However, I'm losing more weight than desired, probably because i'm breastfeeding my 6-month-old baby.

I'd appreciate any tips on ensuring sufficient calorie intake, incorporating nutrient-dense foods, and to prevent excess weight loss while on this diet.

Thanks!

Weight loss isn’t my primary reason for doing WFPB but curious — if you have done weight to lose, does everyone lose it? Or do you need to also limit amount you’re eating? I don’t really ever hear about watching amount when people talk about losing weight. *I only have about 15 lbs I need to lose. Would love thoughts and experiences from others!

My best friend has typed two DB and is considering making the switch. So I need to find a book and get up to speed as quickly as possible. I want to have evidence as to whether or not WFPB is good for him.

EDIT: I'm ludicrously well versed on Greger and Bernard. Greger has NOT written a book on Type 2 DB, and Bernard's is nearly 2 decades old. So I'm looking for any alternatives to those two familliar staples.

All input welcomed and needed ! Ty!🙏

For a while now I've been eating 330 grams, nearly 12 ounces, of wild blueberries with breakfast every morning. Just wondering if there might be any downside—beyond the obvious stuff like cost and diminishing returns—to this level of consumption?