6 Week Vegan Diet Plan
Whether you're just trying out the vegan diet or looking to simplify your routine, this easy vegan diet meal plan has something for everyone. You'll find plenty of easy vegan recipes with simple steps and short ingredient lists. We focus on whole-food vegan ingredients like beans, nuts and quinoa, while limiting processed meat substitutes to keep things healthy and delicious.
We set the calorie level at 1,500 calories per day, which is a level where most people will lose 1 or 2 pounds per week, while also including modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories a day, depending on your calorie needs.
Vegan Diet Basics & How to Get Started
A vegan diet is a plant-based plan that excludes all animal products, like meat, fish, dairy and even honey. Its cousin, the vegetarian diet, is a bit broader and excludes meat and fish but includes dairy and eggs. Though the vegan diet has a ton of health benefits, just because something is labeled "vegan" doesn't necessarily mean it's a great choice. To reap the benefits of this eating lifestyle, focus on nutrient-dense whole-foods—think beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains and of course, plenty of fruits and vegetables.
While some may worry about getting enough protein when not eating meat or other animal products, it's completely possible to get plenty of protein on a vegan diet. Try to incorporate protein foods, like peanut butter, beans, lentils, tofu, seitan and nuts, at most of your meals to stay satisfied in-between meals. If trying the vegan diet seems intimidating, consider the flexitarian diet by including a few meatless days a week to start and go from there.
No-Cook Black Bean Salad
What to Eat on a Vegan Diet
- Beans
- Lentils
- Edamame
- Soy
- Tofu
- Nuts, seeds and nut butters
- Whole grains (oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, wheat bread)
- Seitan
- Tempeh
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Avocado
- Olives and olive oil
- Coconut
- Nutritional Yeast
How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals:
- Make Vegan Superfood Buddha Bowls to have for lunch on Days 2 through 5.
- Prepare Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette to have throughout the week.
Day 1
Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
Breakfast (290 calories)
- 1 serving Sprouted-Grain Toast with Peanut Butter & Banana
A.M. Snack (206 calories)
- ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
Lunch (360 calories)
- 1 serving Green Salad with Edamame & Beets
- 1 clementine
P.M. Snack (171 calories)
- 1 ⅓ cup edamame, in pods
Dinner (472 calories)
- 1 serving Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing
Daily Totals: 1,499 calories, 74 g protein, 184 g carbohydrate, 53 g fiber, 57 g fat, 1,311 mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: Change the A.M. snack to 1 medium peach and change the P.M. snack to 1 clementine.
Day 2
One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
Breakfast (255 calories)
- 1 serving Strawberry-Pineapple Smoothie
A.M. Snack (193 calories)
- 1 ½ cup edamame, in pods
Lunch (381 calories)
- 1 serving Vegan Superfood Buddha Bowls
P.M. Snack (206 calories)
- ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
Dinner (469 calories)
- 1 serving One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 serving Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
Daily Totals: 1,504 calories, 60 g protein, 160 g carbohydrate, 41 g fiber, 80 g fat, 1,024 mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: Change the A.M. snack to 1 medium orange and change the P.M. snack to 1 plum.
Day 3
Beefless Vegan Tacos
Breakfast (255 calories)
- 1 serving Strawberry-Pineapple Smoothie
A.M. Snack (272 calories)
- ⅓ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
Lunch (381 calories)
- 1 serving Vegan Superfood Buddha Bowls
P.M. Snack (106 calories)
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk yogurt
Dinner (509 calories)
- 1 serving Beefless Vegan Tacos
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 serving Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
Daily Totals: 1,523 calories, 51 g protein, 138 g carbohydrate, 39 g fiber, 96 g fat, 1,232 mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: Change the A.M. snack to 1 plum and change the P.M. snack to 1 clementine.
Day 4
vegan chickpea coconut curry
Breakfast (290 calories)
- 1 serving Sprouted-Grain Toast with Peanut Butter & Banana
A.M. Snack (225 calories)
- 1 ¾ cup edamame, in pods
Lunch (381 calories)
- 1 serving Vegan Superfood Buddha Bowls
P.M. Snack (134 calories)
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk yogurt
- ⅓ cup blueberries
Dinner (471 calories)
- 1 serving Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry
Daily Totals: 1,500 calories, 61 g protein, 187 g carbohydrate, 45 g fiber, 63 g fat, 953 mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: Change the A.M. snack to 1 plum and omit the yogurt at the P.M. snack.
Day 5
No-Cook Black Bean Salad
Breakfast (290 calories)
- 1 serving Sprouted-Grain Toast with Peanut Butter & Banana
A.M. Snack (193 calories)
- 1 ½ cup edamame, in pods
Lunch (381 calories)
- 1 serving Vegan Superfood Buddha Bowls
P.M. Snack (241 calories)
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk yogurt
- 10 dry-roasted unsalted almonds
- 1 medium peach
Dinner (418 calories)
- 1 serving No-Cook Black Bean Salad
- 1-oz. slice whole-wheat baguette
Daily Totals: 1,523 calories, 64 g protein, 191 g carbohydrate, 49 g fiber, 67 g fat, 996 mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: Change the A.M. snack to 1 plum and omit both the yogurt and almonds at the P.M. snack.
Day 6
a bowl of Quinoa Avocado Salad
Breakfast (255 calories)
- 1 serving Strawberry-Pineapple Smoothie
A.M. Snack (252 calories)
- 1 medium apple
- 1 ½ Tbsp. natural peanut butter
Lunch (387 calories)
- 1 serving Veggie & Hummus Sandwich
- 1 medium orange
P.M. Snack (193 calories)
- 1 ½ cup edamame, in pods
Dinner (414 calories)
- 1 serving Quinoa Avocado Salad
Daily Totals: 1,501 calories, 54 g protein, 181 g carbohydrate, 49 g fiber, 71 g fat, 980 mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: Omit the peanut butter at the A.M. snack and change the P.M. snack to 1 plum.
Day 7
Mediterranean Chickpea Quinoa Bowl
Breakfast (290 calories)
- 1 serving Sprouted-Grain Toast with Peanut Butter & Banana
A.M. Snack (129 calories)
- 1 cup edamame, in pods
Lunch (387 calories)
- 1 serving Veggie & Hummus Sandwich
- 1 medium orange
P.M. Snack (206 calories)
- ¼ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
Dinner (503 calories)
- 1 serving Chickpea & Quinoa Buddha Bowl
Daily Totals: 1,515 calories, 61 g protein, 191 g carbohydrate, 48 g fiber, 64 g fat, 1,116 mg sodium
To Make it 1,200 Calories: Change the A.M. snack to 1 clementine and change the P.M. snack to 1/4 cup sliced cucumber.
Source: https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7902516/vegan-meal-plan-for-beginners/