Plant based eating has taken the world by storm. But don’t panic, plant-based does not mean meatless. It also doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing either. Plant-based is moving vegetables from a side dish, to the centre of the main plate, and Woolies is going to make this easier than ever this summer.

“We have seen a fundamental shift in customer’s habits towards a plant-based way of eating,” says Cindy Chin, Woolworths dietician. “It is a concept that appeals to a diverse range of customers, including meat-eaters, sustainable farming supporters and health advocates alike.”

There is no official or universally agreed upon definition of a “plant-based diet”. It encompasses a spectrum of eating patterns that focus on eating whole plants, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes, and eating fewer or no animal products. Research shows that eating a plant-based diet is linked to a lower risk for heart disease, and there is convincing evidence that increasing fruit and veg has beneficial effects on certain diseases like hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Plant-based eating covers all kinds of lifestyle choices: Flexitarian (those who occasionally eat meat or fish), vegetarian (usually those who avoid meat but not all animal products) and vegan (those who consume no animal products at all).

But making even the smallest lifestyle change can be daunting. Luckily with Woolworths on your side, this shift to the vegetable movement will be seamless (and delicious). Teeming with convenient and exciting solutions for every eating occasion, Woolies’ new plant-centric ranges will have you and your family enjoying vibrant veggie dishes that are full of flavour and satisfying.

Woolies has a variety of easy and on-trend meal solutions for every occasion:

  • Fuss-free breakfasts are the goal, and nobody does it better than Woolies. If you’re in the mood for granola, try the brand-new goji berry & beetroot or the cacao & almond.If porridge is more your style, opt for the delectable instant porridge options in vanilla almond or cacao – no preservatives or sugar added.
  • Snack on locally sourced and organic raw cacao kale chips, Ceres Valley-sourced and expertly dried Bon Chrétien pears or grab a smoothie from your freezer by picking one of Woolies’ red, green or yellow smoothie mixes.
  • Don’t let your lunch be average or over-complicated. Try one of the new salads, brimming with summery flavour, interesting toppings and zingy dressings.
  • Dig your teeth into the smokey four bean salad, fruit, giant couscous or the vegan coronation coleslaw, and top it off with the basil & white balsamic salad dressing. Yum!
  • Ensure dinner is easy and delicious by impressing the family with edamame beans as a starter and using the new vegan ready-to-eat ranges as building blocks for your quick and easy plant-based dinners. Choose from butternut & smoked paprika sausages, sweetcorn and bulgur burgers, a butternut & lentil layered cake or chilli cauli florets. And finish off with the heat-and-eat chickpea pilaf – ready in 90 seconds!
  • But if it’s outdoor cooking you’ll be opting for this summer, make sure your plant-based menu makes the carnivores drool with Woolies’ sweetcorn, apple & fresh coriander fritters and bulgur wheat & lentil salad.
  • And let’s not forget dessert! Indulge in chocolate coconut or granadilla coconut crème or pick one of Woolies’ new delicious lollies – made from only fruit and cold pressed fruit juice.

“In our plant-based offering, we have tried to cater for our diverse customers wherever they are on their journey and have therefore included animal products such as dairy and eggs in some products,” concludes Chin. “We are developing innovative products to support a plant-based diet and will continue to introduce more products throughout the year.”

Get your hands on these exciting plant-based options now! Available at Woolworths stores countrywide or visit www.woolworths.co.za to shop online.