For people who choose a vegan lifestyle later in life, giving up some foods can be harder than others.
TBH, you're better off not looking for substitutions for things like meat, eggs and cheese and instead focussing on finding new and exciting ingredients to cook with or even new and exciting takes on old favourites that you might not have considered in the past.
If there is one thing in particular you're struggling without though, there are a few alternatives out there which do a jolly good job of taking the place of what was once a staple for you.
Here's our faves.
Vegenaise®
If egg-based mayo was once a fave, give Vegenaise a go. It's made from canola oil, brown rice syrup, apple cider vinegar (yum) and is an excellent way to jazz up an otherwise sorry looking sandwich. Especially since the brand also do roasted garlic Vegenaise, barbecue (made with aged balsamic vinegar, and their new offering - which is the piece de resistance in anyone's eye - sriracha flavour. Nice.
Vegenaise is available at Planet Organic, Holland & Barrett and Whole Foods, or find another location near youhere.
Illustrated by Elena Boils.
Quorn Pieces
Not every Quorn product is vegan so deffos double check the ingredients before you buy. A personal fave from the range though is the vegan pieces which work wonders in a stew or casserole or curry if you're used to having chicken. In fact, as with the tofu (see next slide), they can actually work better as they're better at soaking up and retaining the juices from the dish. Even better, they're readily available and, compared to other vegan products, are super affordable.
Quorn Frozen Pieces are available from Ocado, £2
Illustrated by Elena Boils.
Taifun Smoked Tofu
It's no secret that tofu (or bean curd, depending on what you want to call it) makes an even better stir fry ingredient than chicken or beef but Taifun Smoked Tofu really is next flipping level. Not only does it do an excellent job of soaking up all the juices from the veg and sauce, the smoked element gives this guy even more of a kick. Check out the version with almonds and sesame seeds too.
Taifun Smoked Tofu is available from Waitrose, £3.19
Dragonfly Premium Marinated Tofu
Another tofu brand at the top of their game, Dragonfly do three types of tofu - natural, smoked and marinated. They're all great but it's the marinated you want to go for. Obviously anything that's been marinated is excellent but the fact that this has been marinated in tamari, ginger, cumin and garlic means this one is particularly top notch.
Dragonfly Premium Marinated Tofu is available from Ocado, £2.19
Illustrated by Elena Boils.
Sainsbury's FreeFrom "Cheese"
As anyone who has tried to eat vegan cheese alternatives knows, cheese-that-is-not-cheese is a very dodgy area. There are some seriously questionable imitation cheeses out there of which the tastes range from "meh" to "farts". Give Sheese a miss. Also, give the Sainsbury's FreeFrom Hard 'Cheeses' a wide birth. What is good though, is Sainsbury's Free From soft cheese which is made from coconut oil and is actually a bloody delight.
Sainsbury's Deliciously FreeFrom Original Coconut Based alternative To Soft Cheese is available from Sainsbury's, £1.80
Illustrated by Elena Boils.
Green Vie Grated Parmesan Style Cheese
It's tough to get hold of and, even for vegan products, is expensive enough to make you go "ergh" but Green Vie's parmesan knock off is the gold standard of faux cheeses. Made with coconut oil, it's excellent news for those whose vegan mince bolognaises are lacking a little something something.
Green Vie Grated Parmesan Style Cheese is available from The Cruelty Free Shop. Around£4.50 with shipping.
Illustrated by Elena Boils.
Coconut Collaborative Little Chocolate Pots
Made from coconut cream and dark chocolate, these little pots are a delicious alternative to those posh little potted desserts you're meant to have at the end of a meal during a fancy night in. Or, you know, for breakfast on a Monday when you need a little bit of a treat.
Coconut Collaborative Little Chocolate Pots are available at Tesco,£2.50/4 pack.
Illustrated by Elena Boils.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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