Smoky black bean burger
Charred at the edges, soft in the middle, with pickled beetroot and a lot of black pepper.
Under a tenth of the land of beef burger.
Start here
Try something, at your own pace
One dinner is a real step. So is a full switch. These guides are for whichever you are considering, without pressure to go further than you want to.
Start with dinner
If you would rather cook something than read about it, start here. Each dish carries the difference it makes against the meal it stands in for.
Golden dal with fried cumin
Soft split lentils finished with cumin seeds fried in oil until they crackle, poured over the top.
About 1.5 times the land of chicken curry.
Chana masala
Chickpeas in a dark, sour-sweet tomato sauce, sharpened with a squeeze of lemon at the end.
About 1.7 times the land of chicken curry.
Chilli peanut noodles
Twenty minutes, one pan, and a sauce of peanut butter, soy and chilli that clings to everything.
About half of the land of chicken noodles.
Getting started: pick a pace that fits you
You do not have to decide between everything and nothing. Here are the common starting points, from one meal to a full switch.
Replacing common foods
Straightforward swaps for the foods people find hardest to replace, and honest notes on where the swap falls short.
Protein basics
How much you need, where it comes from on a plant-based diet, and who should pay closer attention.
B12 basics
The one nutrient a plant-based diet cannot supply on its own, and the simple way to cover it.
Eating out and social situations
Practical notes on restaurants, other people's homes, and travelling, without making it awkward.
Does it cost more to eat this way?
It depends what you buy. Staples are among the cheapest foods there are; ready-made substitutes are not.
Looking for recipes?
We are not a recipe site. These are well-tested collections we are happy to point you to.
- BBC Good Food: vegan recipes ↗ — Large, well-tested collection.
- Minimalist Baker ↗ — Simple recipes, few ingredients.
- Forks Over Knives ↗ — Whole-food plant-based focus.
At your own pace
Explore at your own pace
Changing what you eat is not all or nothing. One meal is a real step. So is a full switch. Start wherever makes sense for you.
Understand
See what the evidence says about food, the planet, animals and health.
Compare
Put two foods side by side on emissions, land, nutrition and animals.
Try something
One meal, one day, or a bigger change. Practical guides without pressure.