More and more studies are showing that plant-based diets are increasing by the year. Many people are diving headfirst into a new lifestyle to health and are really utilizing these eating habits to further maintain their weight and glowing health.

There are still a lot of people who are intimidated by going plant based for a number of reasons: assuming that you won’t consume enough protein; that eating plant based means eating bland meals; that you will be limited with what you can eat and cook; and fear of always being hungry.

Well, one of my missions is to show you that you can feel full and satisfied from eating plant based, and that you can make tasty meals that are packed with protein and full of flavor. But to start, I want to share some tips on going plant based (vegan or vegetarian). I truly hope that those of you who are intimidated by the thought will warm up to the idea and start experimenting!

1. Add at least one extra side of vegetables with each meal.

If you like the idea of eating plant based but still feel like you need meat at least once a day, try adding an extra side of vegetables or a grain like quinoa to your meal (and don’t be wimpy! Make those side dishes a nice and hearty serving size!). Eat the veggie sides first before the meat. You might realize that you feel satisfied without the meat, and this could be an indicator that a plant-based diet could be right for you.

2. Experiment in the kitchen.

Play with different seasonings and vegetable combinations. You will find that trying out different recipes will lead to awesome veggie entrees that are just as, or even more satisfying than, a piece of steak! You can get a lot of inspiration from browsing different plant-based recipe communities such as: Tasty Kitchen, Yummy Plants, and of course, Pinterest.

3. Get the proper kitchen essentials.

If you want to start your day off with a fresh juice or smoothie, find a good blender or juicer. If you are going to invest in one, I would choose a blender, since it is more versatile and can puree soups, blend smoothies and help concoct nut milks. I wouldn’t spend as much on a juicer since you most likely won’t use it every day, and it has only one purpose: to make juice. Other than that, a food processor and salad spinner will be of GREAT help when you want to cook healthy, yet save time on a busy schedule!

4. Keep snacks handy, always.

When eating plant based, a lot of meals require preparation, and many recipes include preparing the foods from scratch. In between cooking, keep a variety of snacks available for munching or if you are on the go. My go-tos: apples with cinnamon; berries in Greek yogurt with chia seeds; a handful of almonds or walnuts; cucumber with hummus; banana and almond butter on a rice cake; avocado with hot sauce; and popcorn, to name a few!

5. Be generous with serving sizes.

Once you have started incorporating an extra veggie side dish with your meals, start making those side dishes in large quantities. Who says you can’t have an entire bunch of sautéed kale to yourself for dinner with a side of quinoa and mushrooms? You will get a boost of vitamins and minerals, and you will likely be extremely satisfied! A heaping bowl of spinach with pecans, beets, a chopped apple and goat cheese will also fill you up since greens are packed with fiber. I say the larger the salad, the better!

6. Speaking of serving sizes, make a huge macro bowl.

Make a big bowl of veggies for lunch, like this one from Whole Hearted Eats, this one from Spring Vegan, or this one from Nourish The Roots, and see how you feel after you eat it. If you are still hungry, grill up a piece of chicken. Remember, you are not cutting out certain foods, you are simply adding more plant-based foods. If you feel satisfied and full after a big ole’ bowl of veggies, then you are good to go until hunger strikes again!

Remember: I am not telling you to cut out meat completely and just eat salads. Finding balance is all about incorporating more healthy foods into your diet instead of depriving yourself. You will find that the more vibrant and nourishing foods you add, the less you will crave junk foods and sweets. Give it a try for a week and see how you feel; maybe you will have more energy and clarity. You have nothing to lose by adding more plant-based meals into your life!