Vegetarian Food is not like it used to be, it is simply awesome now! Especially fresh from your Garden.

Vegetarian dishes are super tasty and jam-packed with healthy seasonal veggies! Best thing of all you could be growing your very own food right in your backyard from your very own veggie garden, we’ll show you how.

No matter if you are a vegetarian, stopped eating meat, or simply want to mix your usual dinner with vegetarian recipes, I got your back.

I have listed some of the best vegetarian recipes you can try at home. The recipes are yummy, flavorful, and healthy. You will love preparing meatless meal as much as I like sharing them with you.

But before we get started, let’s understand the benefits of vegetarian meals, types of vegetarian diets, and more.

Types of Vegetarian Diets

It’s normal for people to think of meatless meals when they imagine vegetarian dishes. Recipes that do not include fish, poultry, or meat. While it’s true, vegetarian recipes vary in the foods that they include and exclude:

• Lacto-vegetarian: It excludes diets with meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. But it includes dairy products, like butter, milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Ovo-vegetarian: It excludes meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy products but includes eggs.
• Lacto-ovo vegetarian: It excludes poultry, fish, and meat but includes eggs and dairy.
• Pescatarian: This diet excludes eggs, dairy, meat, and poultry but includes fish.
• Vegan: It excludes meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, fish, and poultry but allows foods that contain these products.

A few people even follow a semi-vegetarian diet, a plant-based diet that occasionally includes fish, eggs, dairy, meat, and poultry in small quantities.

How to Plan a Healthy Diet with Vegetarian Meals

To have a healthy vegetarian diet, you must include a variety of plant-based foods, like legumes, nuts, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables. Additionally, cut back on unhealthy items like refined grains and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Do not have a restrictive diet, as it can be challenging to follow. Also, it can make it difficult to get all the nutrients. This way, you cannot lead a healthy lifestyle. It’s better to consult a dietitian instead of creating your healthy diet plan.

Make sure that your diet includes the following nutrients mentioned below:

#1 Calcium and Vitamin D

Your diet must include calcium because this helps build and maintain bones and teeth. The main source of calcium is dairy foods and milk.

Dark green vegetables like broccoli, kale, turnip, and collard greens and food sources like soy milk, tofu, soy yogurt, juices, and cereals are rich in calcium.

Just like calcium, vitamin D is also known to help maintain bone health. Always check the food label to ensure you get the right amount of vitamin D.

#2 Vitamin B-12

Vegan diets are typically high in folate, which can conceal the lack of Vitamin B12. However, vegans must supplement their diet with vitamin supplements and fortified soy products to ensure they get enough Vitamin B12.

#3 Protein

Your options for protein from plant-based sources include legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

#4 Omega-3 Fatty Acids

With regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, you can have good heart health. But if your diet does not include fish and eggs, your body might have difficulty getting omega-3 fatty acids.

You can, however, increase the consumption of ground flaxseed, walnuts, soy oil, olive oil, and canola oil to get the essential fatty acids.

#5 Iron and Zinc

Food items rich in iron include whole-grain products, vegetables, dried fruits, cereals, lentils, dark leafy greens, beans, and peas.

You can eat vitamin C-rich foods, including citrus fruit, cabbage, tomatoes, and strawberries.

Like iron, your body also needs zinc. But it cannot be easily absorbed from plant sources as it comes from animal products. If you eat dairy products, have cheese for a balanced zinc level in your body.

Vegan options include soy products, wheat germ, legumes, whole grains, and nuts.

#6 Iodine

Iodine is an important component of thyroid hormones that helps regulate the metabolism and growth of key organs.

New Vegetarian Recipes to Try at Home

Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas

Vegetarian enchiladas with black beans and organic veggies like sweet potatoes, bell pepper, zucchini, and corn taste delicious. It is easy to prepare, healthy, and gluten-free adaptable.

Indian Shepherd’s Pie with Lemon Juice

You can give a vegetarian twist to the classic Shepherd’s Pie by preparing it with veggies, black lentils, and mashed potatoes. You can add lemon, fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, and olive oil for a yummy flavor.

Easy Baked Tacos

Easy-baked tacos make a great breakfast. Loaded with refried beans, cheese, and toppings of your choice and topped with sour cream, tomato sauce, and black beans enhances the flavors.

Pad Thai with Tofu and Vegetarian Chili

Another easy-to-prepare dish is Pad Thai with tofu. It’s a noodle dish that is prepared with simple ingredients. It tastes delicious and is quite healthy.

You can also make vegetarian chili, cilantro lime rice, roasted cauliflower,

Conclusion

Whether you are a vegetarian or want to try meatless recipes, you have many options. No matter what recipe you choose, it should have all the essential nutrients, so your body does not develop a deficiency.