Your Guide to the Best Items to Shop for When Going Plant-Based or Vegan

|Updated Jan 30, 2020
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One of the first things you hear when someone is trying to go plant-based is: What do I buy? Next, they usually say that going into a large store or market is overwhelming. It's hard to know what to shop for when determined to eat a healthy plant-based diet, you first step into a big store such as Trader Joe's, BJ's Wholesale Club or Target. Of course, we want you to head over to the produce section and fill your cart with greens, vegetables, fruits, legumes, seed, nuts, and whole grains. And you know that you need to start to cook more home-made wholesome foods that look like you can recognize the ingredients: kale salad with chick peas and avocado, or a side of rice and beans. But we also know that reality means you'll likely need some prepared foods like meatless chicken to serve up when everyone's hungry and dinner has to get on the table -- fast. So we decided to take the guesswork out of it and assemble shopping guides to the big stores, so whenever you make the decision to start your plant-based eating lifestyle, you will have a handy guide as to what to buy, eat and serve your family and guests.

These items are so delicious and pleasing to your taste buds, even your pickiest eater or most doubting guest will be pleasantly surprised as to the flavor and real meat or dairy like the texture of these items.

We have to admit, we serve the Gardein Meatless Meatballs to everyone who comes over, and low and behold they are not hooked -- even those who are not practicing a plant-based lifestyle.

Check out these guides to some of the biggest stores in the country, then please go to The Beet Meter and enter your ratings and reviews to the products there. Don't see something you love or would recommend? Just send us a comment (here or at info@thebeet.com) and we will get a Beet Meter up and running to rate the packaged good on Taste, Health and you'll be able to add your review there too! The Beet is here for you. Let us know what we should add to this list and we will do it, pronto!

Coming Next: Your guide to shopping Erewhon Market, Los Angeles' best natural foods emporium. What do you like to buy there?