20+ Healthy Plant Based Recipes I Ate For Weight Loss (2024)

Plant Based Diet Recipes | Vegan Lunch Recipes

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This healthy plant-based recipes can help you reach your weight goals by being both tasty and satisfying. Keep in mind, many of these recipes are very versatile. If your dietary restrictions or personal tastes are different, you can swap ingredients out. I have included substitutions to help you make these tasty recipes all while following your own diet.

If you like these recipes, you’ll also like these healthy vegan buddha bowl recipes, as well as these lazy vegan recipes for quick weeknight meals.

1. Vegan black bean chili from scratch

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Vegan Black Bean Chili From Scratch (Smoky & Tasty)

This vegan black bean chili is vegan, tasty, and easy to make. Sauté the vegetables with a splash of water instead of olive oil to make it whole food plant-based. Experiment with your favorite veggies and spices and make a batch for the week ahead!

Check out this recipe

2. Quinoa Veggie Power Bowls

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Quinoa And Veggie Power Bowl

These quinoa and veggie power bowls are full of flavor and hearty ingredients to keep you full for a long time.

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3. 10-Minute Vegan Mango Salsa

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10-Minute Vegan Mango Summer Salsa

Salsa is a great way to dress up other plant-based dishes. I use this summery salsa to dress up vegan tacos or lettuce wraps. It's fruity and full of flavor!

Check out this recipe

4. Vegan Cabbage Soup

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Cabbage Soup Recipe (Vegan)

This vegan cabbage soup has always been one of my go-to recipes. I've made in the crockpot, as well as the stovetop. If you're avoiding oil, sauté the veggies with a splash of water and watch them closely. This recipe is so tasty and satisfying, and it's perfect for a chilly winter night!

Check out this recipe

5. Vegan Pumpkin Soup with Homemade Coconut Milk

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Vegan Pumpkin Soup With Coconut Milk

This vegan pumpkin soup is perfect for a night in the fall when pumpkins are in season. If you're avoiding oil, sauté the onion in a splash of water. You can use store-bought coconut milk, or make your own from scratch (it's easy!)

Check out this recipe

6. Healthy Carrot Cake Protein Bars

Healthy Carrot Cake Protein Bars

When the sweet tooth strikes, these carrot cake bars come to the rescue. Naturally sweetened with dates, there is no added sugar to these satisfying bars. It is recommended to add a small amount of oil to help the ingredients process, but I have made these many times without oil and they were just as good.

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7. Air Fryer Lentil Burgers

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Vegan Air Fryer Lentil Sliders Recipe

Throw these lentil burgers on a lettuce wrap instead of a bun, and you have a satisfying weeknight meal. I've also used the "lentil meat" in this recipe to make tacos and they were delicious.

Check out this recipe

8. Healthy Black Bean Soup

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Healthy Black Bean and Tortilla Soup (Vegan)

This recipe is delicious and easy to make WFPB. Simply skip the homemade tortilla chips (as they require oil to crisp up). You can dress this soup up with any toppings you like.

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9. Easiest Ever Black Bean Soup

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Easiest Ever Black Bean Soup (Vegan & Healthy)

This easy vegan black bean soup is simple while also being versatile. Enjoy this smoky and comforting soup as is, or mix up the flavors as you wish.

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10. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

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Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup

This creamy, tasty butternut squash soup is made in the slow-cooker for an easy weeknight meal.

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11. Vegan Roasted Beet Salad

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Vegan Roasted Beet Salad (With Fruity Dressing)

This vegan beet salad is fruity and "rooty". It's a healthy option as a side salad or it can be dressed up with protein for a complete meal.

Check out this recipe

12. Baked Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Baked Portobello Mushroom Burger (Easy & Vegan)

I love these mushroom burgers and make them anytime grilling season comes around. You can also bake them in the oven for a perfect texture. If you don't want to marinate them in oil & vinegar, try using hot sauce instead. You can also use rice vinegar and a variety of spices to mix up the flavor.

Check out this recipe

13. Easy Tofu Stir-Fry

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Crispy, Tasty Vegan Tofu Stir Fry

If tofu is in your diet, this is a great starting point for a tasty stir-fry. If you want to omit the sesame oil or soy sauce, try using date syrup and balsamic vinegar instead. You'll get that sweet and salty flavor for the sauce with all the satisfying crunch from the veggies. You can also use chickpeas instead of tofu if you're soy-free.

Check out this recipe

14. Healthy Vegan Chickpea Burgers

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Healthy Vegan Chickpea Veggie Burgers

These heathy vegan chickpea veggie burgers are packed with comforting flavors and filling ingredients.

Check out this recipe

15. Apple Cucumber Smoothie

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Apple Cucumber Smoothie – Through The Fibro Fog

This apple cucumber smoothie is light and hydrating, and perfect to make as a quick healthy breakfast or snack! Chia seeds will help you feel satisfied while apple and cucumber give a boost of flavor.

Check out this recipe

16. Smoky Chickpea Tacos

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Smoky Vegan Chickpea Tacos

Chickpeas are one of those magical, satisfying ingredients that work so well in a variety of recipes. I've even used them in baked goods several times! These smoky tacos are vegan and gluten-free. You can also leave out the oil or serve these on a bed of lettuce or a salad for an even leaner meal.

Check out this recipe

17. Peaches and “Cream” Dessert Popsicles

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Vegan Peaches and Cream Dessert Popsicles

There is nothing healthy about heavy cream, but these dessert popsicles use dairy-free milk to make a satisfying and creamy summer treat. Peaches are one of my favorite fruits, and these dessert popsicles are always a huge hit with vegans and non-vegans alike.

Check out this recipe

18. Air Fryer Mexican Potatoes

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Spicy Air Fryer Mexican Potatoes with Jalapeño, Tomato and Onion (oil-free) – Very Veganish

Spicy and flavorful, these Mexican-style potatoes with jalapeño, onion, garlic, tomato and cilantro are delicious and low in calories. Try this healthy, easy vegan, plant-based potato recipe by itself, as a side or as a taco filling.

Check out this recipe

19. Magic Cauliflower Cream Sauce

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Magic Cauliflower Cream Sauce

This magical cauliflower cream sauce puree is the perfect meal prep recipe for pasta, pizza, casserole, risotto, and soups all week long!

Check out this recipe

20. Easy Oat Milk Chia Pudding

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Easy Oat Milk Chia Pudding (With 3 Flavors)

You will love this oat milk chia pudding that is an easy breakfast that is great for on-the-go. Top with your favorite fresh fruit or try out one of the three fun flavors including Chocolate

Check out this recipe

21. Pound-O-Spinach Stir Fry

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One Pot “Pound-Of-Spinach” Stir Fry (Vegan)

This one pot meal uses an entire pound of spinach for a tasty and flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

Check out this recipe

22. Healing Broth Soup

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20 min Healing Broth Soup [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com

A quick clear broth soup with healing ginger, turmeric, garlic, lemon, health-boosting spices & herbs. Oil free + one pot + low calorie

Check out this recipe

23. Strawberry Blackberry Banana Smoothie

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Strawberry Blackberry Banana Smoothie | Savor The Spoonful

This strawberry blackberry banana smoothie is perfect for breakfast or after a workout. It is super healthy and easy to make at home! Yum!

Check out this recipe

24. Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Oatmeal

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Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Oatmeal With Turmeric | MomsWhoSave.com

What I love about this Pumpkin Oatmeal with Turmeric recipe is how easy it is to make and how good it is for you at the same time.

Check out this recipe

Honorable mentions

These recipes are worth including on this round-up because they’re tasty, healthy and satisfying. I’ll keep this list updated as I go to include my favorites.

I hope you enjoyed this round up of healthy, plant-based recipes! Be sure to leave a comment with your favorite recipes below. I’m always looking to mix it up in the kitchen and experiment with new ideas.

20+ Healthy Plant Based Recipes I Ate For Weight Loss (2024)

FAQs

Can you lose weight eating only plant-based foods? ›

A review of 12 studies that included more than 1,100 people found that those assigned to plant-based diets lost significantly more weight — about 4.5 pounds (lbs), or 2 kilograms (kg), over an average of 18 weeks — than those assigned to non-vegetarian diets ( 5 ).

How much weight can you lose in a month on a plant-based diet? ›

Vegan diet to lose weight

Studies have shown that a vegan diet can reduce your weight by an average of 5.6 pounds in 18 weeks, or less or more than a third of a pound per week!

How many calories do you eat on a plant-based diet? ›

Energy. Not surprisingly, the vegan diet had the lowest total energy intake, followed by vegetarians. Vegan diets did meet the WHO recommendation for energy intake, with intakes ranging from 1,672 and 2,055 calories per day. The main energy sources for vegans were carbohydrates and soy proteins.

Can you lose belly fat on a plant-based diet? ›

Plant-based diets can reduce body fat via a variety of mechanisms, which cumulatively lead to reduced calorie intake and increased energy expenditure. These mechanisms include reduced caloric density of the overall diet and improved satiety, in part due to increased production of SCFAs by the gut microbiota.

What is the downside of a plant-based diet? ›

Some studies have shown that those on a plant-based diet are found to have lower plasma vitamin B12 levels and higher levels of vitamin B12 deficiency than those who consume animal products. Vitamin B12 is an important cofactor in DNA synthesis, and deficiency can lead to anemia and severe neurological dysfunction.

How can I drop 20 pounds fast? ›

This can be done by either consuming less food, exercising more, or both. That said, while it's possible to lose 20 lbs in a month with a very low-calorie diet, this isn't the most sustainable way to lose weight and should only be attempted in consultation with your doctor.

Can you lose 20 pounds in a month? ›

Losing 20 pounds in 1 month may be easier than 2 weeks, but it's still unrealistic for most people. Once again, it comes down to your TDEE and simple math. To lose 20 pounds in 1 month, you'd need to create an average deficit of 2,500 calories per day for 4 weeks. This might be possible for larger men.

What happens the first week of plant-based diet? ›

The first few weeks

The first thing that someone starting a vegan diet might notice is an energy boost with the removal of the processed meat that is found in many omnivorous diets, in favour of fruit, vegetables and nuts.

Why am I getting fat on a plant-based diet? ›

It could be the way you're preparing the food. Unfortunately, plant-based foods doused in high-cal dressings and loaded with sugary sauces can lead to weight gain. Instead, you want to eat healthy, whole, clean foods with minimal sauces. That doesn't mean your meals have to be boring.

What are 3 plant-based diets? ›

Below is a summary of the more popular types of plant-based diets: semi-vegetarian or flexitarian, pescatarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, vegan, and whole-food, plant-based. Semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diets are primarily vegetarian but include a small amount of meat, poultry, fish, and seafood.

What are plant-based foods list for weight loss? ›

Vegetarian foods that may aid weight loss include:
  • Non-starchy vegetables: broccoli, bell pepper, cauliflower, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots, celery, and cucumber.
  • Starchy vegetables: peas, potatoes, corn, and winter squash.
  • Fruits: berries, oranges, apples, bananas, grapes, citrus, kiwi, and mango.

What foods are not allowed on a plant-based diet? ›

Conversely, you will eat less meat, processed meats, eggs, and dairy on a plant-based diet. Removing or reducing intake of these foods means that your intake of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium will likely decrease as these foods are more concentrated in these nutrients than plant-based foods.

Can I eat bread on a plant-based diet? ›

Vegans can eat bread that does not contain animal products or byproducts. This includes breads that only use some variation on flour, water, yeast, and salt including ciabatta, baguette, focaccia, sourdough, pita, and ezekiel breads.

Can I eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

What happens to your body when you only eat plant-based food? ›

Plants are high in fiber.

Eating a plant-based diet improves the health of your gut so you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fiber can lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar and it's great for good bowel management.

Can you lose weight on a plant-based diet without exercise? ›

“The take-home message is that a plant-based diet can help you lose weight without counting calories and without ramping up your exercise routine,” says Neal Barnard, M.D., lead author of the study, president of the Physicians Committee, and an adjunct associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University ...

Can you survive on a plant only diet? ›

Yes. A plant-based diet is considered to be nutrient-dense and packed with fiber, healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is a very healthy way of eating and can meet all of your nutrient needs.

Does not eating meat make you lose weight? ›

And people who don't eat meat, called vegetarians, generally eat fewer calories and less fat. They also tend to weigh less. And they have a lower risk of heart disease than nonvegetarians do. Research shows that people who eat red meat are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke or diabetes.

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