The whole food, plant-based diet is probably the healthiest and most natural way to eat.
It includes nutritious, fiber-rich and micronutrient-abundant plant foods and excludes all the controversial and unhealthy animal and processed products. Plant-based food is so colorful, appetizing and full of natural aromas.
By getting rid of all the unhealthy ingredients in our diet, we leave space for such a variety of tasty foods that are much more enjoyable. And healthier. Cheaper. Eco-friendly.
Is Plant-Based the Same as Vegan?
Eating plant-based usually means vegan, although some people might add honey and a bit of animal products. Most people use plant-based and vegan interchangeably, though.
What is a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet?
Whole food, plant-based basically means eating plant foods as they are in nature and minimally processing them:
Whole foods or unprocessed foods, natural foods that are not refined in any way. Basically the food is not altered in any significant way like transforming beets into sugar or olives into oil (you can blend your kale and banana into a smoothie or grind your flax seeds).
Plant-based, meaning the food comes only from plants and no animal products such as meat or dairy are used.
What to eat on a whole food, plant-based diet
The main food groups in a whole food, plant-based diet are:
- whole grains
- legumes
- root vegetables
- leafy vegetables
- nuts & seeds
- fruits
Follow our guide about how to feel satiated with whole plant foods.
Sugars are condiments
You should avoid sugars, even ‘natural’ ones like maple syrup and agave since these have little fiber and act as sugars in the body. Use them as condiments. Eating a whole wheat cookie with a bit of maple syrup (or even sugar) in it is better than feeling deprived and giving up all together.
Oils should be avoided
Oils are liquid fat, they increase the risk of obesity, heart problems, hormonal problems (fat cells produce hormones), skin issues and are overall bad for you. Read why it is imperative to eat oil-free for great health here.
Ready to enjoy a great taste and healthy life. Here are our 55 whole food, plant-based recipes we picked for you.
Easy Vegan Bean Tofu Scramble
Delicious Bean Tofu Scramble that is so aromatic, contains zero cholesterol, and is a much healthier alternative to those scrambled eggs.
Ready in less than 10 mins it is perfect for a healthy, plant-based, protein-rich breakfast.
Healthy Whole Wheat Vegan Crepes
Delicious healthy Whole Wheat Crepes that are nutritious, easy, made with simple whole food ingredients. They make a cozy breakfast that the whole family will love
The Easiest Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
Flavorful vegan Butternut Squash Soup that is so creamy, warm, and nourishing. Seasoned with fresh ginger and turmeric this is one perfect immune-boosting recipe! It is easy and simple to make, ready in just 30 mins and is naturally gluten-free.
This recipe is healthy, plant-based (dairy-free, egg-free), and oil-free.
Sweet Potato Quinoa Burger
This is one delicious homemade burger recipe that is packed with healthy plant protein and is so flavorful. This Sweet Potato Quinoa Burger is gluten-free, baked (not fried), made with simple pantry ingredients. It is easy, satisfying, and totally yummy!
Alfalfa Sprouts Salad, Oil-Free Plant-based
This delicious Alfalfa Sprouts Salad features fresh and juicy alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, carrot, shredded sweet apple, and corn. All that is topped with a magic oil-free garlicky dressing for a complete mind-blowing taste!
Easy & Healthy Pumpkin Dessert
Super delicious pumpkin combined with some raw cashews and raisins topping. Tasty raspberries in between for extra freshness and juiciness! Definitely one comforting and healthy dessert!
This is a plant-based recipe that is so easy to prepare with only whole plant food ingredients that will keep you healthy and trim!
Easy Creamy & Light Zucchini Spread | Whole Food Vegan
This is the best zucchini spread that is so creamy and light. It has a perfectly silky texture and is full of flavor. The recipe is plant-based (no eggs, dairy-free), oil-free, naturally gluten-free, and ready in just 15 mins.
Easy Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry
whole food + oil-free + sugar-free + plant-based + healthfully cooked
This coconut lentil curry is creamy, hearty, nourishing, and full of flavor!
It is also plant-based, whole food, oil-free, can be made gluten-free.
This is one truly healthy and easy recipe that is packed with plant protein and fiber.
Hearty & Fresh Broccoli Chickpea Soup | Whole Foods Vegan
This hearty and warming 1-pot Chickpea Broccoli Soup is loaded with all kinds of healthy veggies for extra nutrition. It is plant-based (no eggs, dairy-free), free of oil and other processed ingredients, can be made gluten-free. It is also easy to make and comes together in less than 30 mins!
Healthy Lentil Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
These baked Lentil Meatballs are tossed in a simple tomato sauce to create this delicious and comforting plant-based meal. These meat-free lentil balls are healthy, oil-free, packed with protein, and easy to make.
Quick Universal Cashew Sauce
Really quick and easy nut sauce recipe! Super creamy texture! And superbly healthy with whole natural plant foods only, no oils or sugar! | VEGAN!
Healthy Oat Balls Soup
This Oat Balls Soup is warm, hearty, nourishing, and packed with flavor! It requires only simple ingredients and is a delicious blend of flavors that is ready in about 30 mins. It is perfect for a healthy, rich, and comforting dinner or lunch!
Easy Curry Mushrooms With White Bean Mash
These rich creamy mushrooms are seasoned with curry powder, garlic, and soy sauce served over delicious soft and fluffy white bean mash. A comforting plant-based meal that is creamy and hearty, perfect for any time of the day.
Easy and Healthy Zucchini & Walnut Dip | Whole Plant Foods
This easy and healthy zucchini dip is made with walnuts, red onion, garlic, lemon, dill, and mix of seasoning! Ready in less than 20 mins, this is the perfect zucchini recipe for this season! It is plant-based, gluten-free, and oil-free.
Sweet Potato Quinoa Burger Patties
These burger patties are homemade, loaded with plant protein. They are also easy to make, ready in 30 mins.
Baked, not fried. Make a great healthy family lunch or dinner.
Raw Power Booster
Healthy and delicious goji berries, coconut
shreds, chia seeds, cocoa powder, and naturally sweet dates packed into these no-bake, power-boosting bars.
Easy to make with only 5 simple ingredients.
Quick Dairy-free Parmesan | Whole Plant Foods
Make your own dairy-free parmesan cheese at home to add a salty and cheesy flavor to everything from pasta dishes, salads, pizzas to sauces, or baked veggies.
It is ready in just 5 mins with a few simple ingredients. Plus, it is healthy and nutritious.
Creamy Vegan Chickpea Curry with Buckwheat, Oil-free Vegan
This chickpea curry is so creamy and rich, perfectly seasoned, and full of flavor! It is also easy to make with simple staple ingredients.
This is one comforting and satiating meal.
Healthy Carrot & Curry Cream Soup
This super healthy cream soup is delicious and nutritious. Whole natural plant ingredients and completely oil-free!
Not to mention how easy and quick it is to prepare.
A saver when you don't have many ingredients in the fridge! And a super tasty saver, it is!
The slightly sweet taste of carrots mixes perfectly with the curry powder taste and aroma.
Easy & Healthy Party Dip
This is the easiest wholesome creamy dip that is so rich, smooth, and flavorful.
The recipe is plant-based (dairy-free), naturally gluten-free, and ready in just 10 mins!
Whole Wheat Veggie Pizza
Super delicious homemade Veggie Pizza with healthy whole wheat dough.
Topped with tomato sauce and lots of colorful veggies, corn, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, mushrooms, olives, cherry tomatoes. Loaded with healthful green arugula and broccoli florets!
Oriental Oven Baked Chickpeas
These Oriental Oven-Baked Chickpeas are so nutrient-dense, loaded with healthy plant protein and flax seeds.
It is seasoned with a great variety of eastern herbs that boost this healthy meal even more!
Easy and Healthy Sunflower Seeds Soup
A refreshing combination of raw sunflower seeds and super detoxifying cucumber that is super healthy!
This is one vegan soup that is made with only simple whole food ingredients.
Quick & Healthy Purple Oatmeal
A colorful combination of rolled oats and berries that is so healthy and flavorful! Topped with some fresh and juicy apple makes the perfect breakfast!
Easy 5-ingredient Balls
Raw sesame seeds, coconut, dates, and oats wrapped into these easy soft and chewy no-bake balls. A superb healthy whole food snack or dessert!
Soft and Chewy White Bean Nuggets
Softly cooked white beans are mixed with rolled oats, carrot, onion. All that seasoned with a variety of aromatic spices to create these soft and chewy white bean nuggets!
Enjoy them with this easy, rich, and creamy 5-minute Cashew sauce for extra flavor!
Healthy Vegan Sunflower Seeds Dip
Raw sunflower seeds, garlic, lemon juice, and some spices are blended together into this smooth and creamy dip.
Quick & Healthy Energy Breakfast
A raw and creamy blend of nutritious berries, oats, banana, and chia seeds! All that sweetened with fiber-rich dates for a super healthy start of the day!
Easy & Quick 3-ingredient Cranberry Snack Bites
Rich and flavorful cranberries mixed with raw walnuts and sesame seeds to create these chewy and sweet no-bake bites. Ready in just 10 mins and full of nutrition!
Easy Vegan No Oil Baked Zucchini Sticks
Crispy zucchini sticks seasoned with onion, garlic, and other aromatic spices. Baked without any oil to create this super fresh and juicy snack or side dish.
Quick & Easy Vegan Bean Dip
Creamy white beans, seasoned with garlic, cumin, dried onion, nutritional yeast, and coriander to create this smooth and fluffy vegan bean dip.
Enriched with ground flax seeds for extra nutrition. Ready in no time and soo delicious!
Easy Oat Pumpkin Cookies | Vegan
Easy and healthy Oat Pumpkin Cookies!
Rich pumpkin flavor oat cookies, naturally sweetened with dates and enriched with chia seeds. A splendid blend of orange and cinnamon fills the air. This is one really fantastic pumpkin cookies recipe!
Vegan Healthy Oats Apple Pie
Delicious apple and walnuts with the inviting scent of cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, combined with oats and natural sweetness of dates make this apple pie the perfect treat for you and your family!
Cauliflower Couscous Stew
This is a wonderful plant-based, oil-free recipe that is prepared with only whole food ingredients.
A delicate mix of cauliflower, celery, carrot, and other healthy bright vegetables, seasoned with paprika and garam masala. An enchanting taste of sweet, hot and savory ingredients with a creamy and rich texture.
Quick & Easy Mushroom Noodle Soup
A warm and comforting soup loaded with healthy mushrooms and other veggies to keep your immune system sharp! So rich and flavorful plant-based recipe! It is oil-free, rich in fiber, can be made gluten-free, and is ready in less than 30 mins.
Raw Chocolate Avocado Bowls | Vegan
An excellent combination of ground raw cashew nuts, dates, and coconut shreds, topped with the most amazing avocado banana cream.
All that mixed with some fresh fruits for a perfect sweet temptation.
A plant-based recipe prepared with only whole food ingredients which is also oil-free.
Curried Sweet Potato Beans | Vegan
Soft and creamy beans combine perfectly with the sweet potato and oriental spices to create this fantastic aromatic meal with a taste of sweetness.
Prepared with only whole plant food ingredients and no oil!
Curried Sweet Potato Parsnip Soup
A smooth blend of sweet potato, parsnip, and onion for a naturally sweet and delicious flavor. Made with only 5 simple ingredients and ready in just 20 mins.
This is one easy, warming, and comforting soup you should try!
Avocado Chickpea Sandwich Spread
Fresh avocado mashed with some garlic, basil, turmeric, and other aromatic herbs. Combined with soft chickpeas for the most creamy and tasty spread ever!
This homemade recipe is prepared with only whole plant food ingredients and is absolutely oil-free!
Almond Raspberry Snack Bars
An easy and quick plant-based recipe that is 100% vegan and oil-free! Only whole food ingredients are used!
These almond raspberry snack bars are super healthy and chewy. Raw almonds are combined with fresh raspberries and coconut flour, sweetened with dates for a complete taste sensation!
Easy Pumpkin Pie | Vegan
Easy and healthy plant-based pumpkin pie recipe!
Homemade pumpkin pie with only whole food ingredients. 100% vegan!
Pumpkin, walnuts, vanilla and cinnamon aroma, all that mixes so well together.
This pumpkin vegan pie is so delicious and easy to prepare! Just try it!
Broccoli & Tofu Green Salad
A super fresh and colorful salad made with only plant-based ingredients. Absolutely oil-free! Green salad, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, green onions all mixed together with super nutritious broccoli and delicious tofu cubes!
Broccoli Miso Soup
One super easy and tasty soup with a great variety of healthy vegetables
in it! Truly healthy meal requiring minimal fussing around in the
kitchen. Without any added oils with only whole plant ingredients.
Easy & Tasty Broccoli-rich Casserole | Whole Food Vegan
Vibrant green broccoli florets mixed with potatoes and seasoned with basil, garlic, turmeric, fresh dill. All that covered with the creamiest vegan cashew sauce ever!
Light & Easy Strawberry Dessert
Superb recipe for a Light & Easy Strawberry Dessert!
It is made with plant-based ingredients and is free of oil, yet super tasty.
Creamy raw cashews, chia seeds, coconut flakes, lemon juice, oats all mixed with the most aromatic and flavorful fruit strawberries.
Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pasta
Butternut squash mixed with onion and garlic, seasoned with basil, rosemary, turmeric, and other magnificent spices makes this creamy vegan pasta even more delicious.
A whole food meal with natural plant ingredients that will keep you healthy, satiated and satisfied!
Easy & Healthy Bulgur and Spinach Recipe
A truly healthy recipe that is free from oil, processed ingredients, and animal products.
Tastes amazingly with hearty bulgur and fresh herbs, onions, and spinach.
Completely whole foods plant-based, this vegan meal is great for the health-conscious or those looking to lose weight.
Quick & Easy Holiday Strawberry Bites Vegan
A nutritious soft combination of strawberries, dates, coconut flour and nuts. Just a small amount of chocolate to make them even more irresistible. So tasty, comfort food!
Healthy Bean & Leek Casserole
Healthy Bean & Leek Casserole that is super nutritious.
The perfect combination of the superfood that beans are and antioxidant-rich veggies.
With only whole natural plant ingredients, this is a dish that is truly healthy and delicious.
Creamy Parsnip & Cashew Soup | Vegan
Boiled parsnips, carrot, onion, and potatoes are then pureed with some raw cashew nuts and vegetable broth into this creamy and tasty warm soup!
This is one homemade soup recipe, that is oil-free and prepared with only whole plant food ingredients.
Quick & Satiating Green Peas Soup
Green peas, chickpeas, onion, and garlic are blended into this creamy and flavorful soup. It is easy and quick to prepare. This is one satiating and comforting soup!
Super Nutritious Vitamin Salad
Fresh and colorful Raw Vitamin Salad!
An extremely healthy and flavorful mix of raw beet, carrot, radish, kohlrabi, and sweet corn. And all that seasoned with fresh garlic and lemon juice sprinkled with some nutritious hemp seeds!
A vitamin-rich bomb ready to nourish your body! Juicy and full of freshness. With whole natural plant foods.
Sugar-free Vegan Avocado Truffles
Super simple and tasty vegan recipe. These creamy avocado and dates balls combine perfectly with the cocoa powder to create a real truffle taste with whole plant food ingredients.
These truffle balls taste like an exquisite dessert while being perfectly healthy. You can even use them as breakfast or an afternoon snack with no guilt!
Enjoy!
Easy Vegan Tofu Scramble
This is one hearty and filling Vegan Tofu Scramble Recipe. It is packed with protein and makes a healthy vegan breakfast or lunch. So flavorful!
Juicy & Refreshing Peppers in Tomato Sauce | Whole Food Vegan
A delicious and fresh Peppers in Tomato Sauce recipe!
Only with whole plant food ingredients. No oil is used!
The tomato sauce is prepared with fresh tomatoes for better nutrition and fresh taste! Thanks to the mashed beans in it you will stay full for longer!
Red Lentils & Quinoa Stuffed Squash
A delicious and easy stuffed squash recipe.
Prepared with simple whole plant food ingredients, without any oil.
The rich, sweet flavor of the squash pairs perfectly with the slightly sour taste of the sun-dried tomatoes. Enjoy!