Introduction to Vegan Alternatives

So as a vegan chef of 40+ years, I’m most known for making things healthy and from scratch. But, we all need vegan alternative products from time to time. This list is by no means complete as many new plant-based brands popup all the time. I apologize for anyone I left off the list.

Also, I attempted to list the companies with healthier options: no sugar added, lower fat content, simple ingredients. However, there are many listed on this list that I don’t consider that healthy but they made the list as they are leaders in plant-based alternatives.

Any item with a * are vegan foods that I use and believe to be the best in their class as well as on the healthier side. I have listed the items in each category in the order of my opinion as to their taste and secondarily their health profile. That said, all are processed foods which I believe are not as healthy as a whole foods, plant-based, clean, low fat, no sugar diet.

Vegan Chef Ronald Russell

Meat Substitutes

1. * Daring “Chicken” – Cleanest of the meat subs. Soy, very small amount of fat and spices. That’s it.
2. Beyond Meat – Plant-based burgers, sausages, and ground meat.
3. Field Roast – Grain meat sausages, roasts, and burgers.
4. Gardein – Wide range of plant-based meats like chick’n, fishless filets.
5. Tofurky – Plant-based deli slices, sausages, and holiday roasts.
6. Impossible Foods – Impossible Burger and other meat alternatives.
7. Quorn (some products are vegan) – Vegan chicken nuggets and fillets.
8. MorningStar Farms (select products) – Plant-based burgers, sausages, and meal starters.

Dairy Alternatives

1. * Miyoko’s Creamery – Vegan butter and artisanal cheeses. Butter is exceptional.
2. * Violife – Variety of vegan cheeses including shreds, slices, and spreads.
3. * Follow Your Heart – Vegan cheeses, mayo, and salad dressings.
4. Kite Hill – Almond milk-based yogurts, cream cheeses, and ravioli.
5. Daiya – Vegan cheese, dressings, and frozen pizzas.
6. So Delicious – Dairy-free ice creams, yogurts, and cheese shreds.
7. Alpro – Wide range of plant-based yogurts, desserts, and creams.

Snacks and Bars

1. * Organic Food Bar – Active Greens. Sweetened with dates.
2. * Bada Bean Bada Boom – Sweet Sriracha
3. LÄRABAR – Fruit and nut bars.
4. Hippeas – Organic chickpea puffs.
5. * The Daily Crave – Beyond Puffs
6. * No Cow Bars – No sugar, but has erythritol
7. GoMacro – Macrobiotic, vegan energy bars.
8. Nature’s Bakery – Fig bars, brownies, and oatmeal crumble bars.
9. Primal Spirit Foods – Vegan jerky.
10. The Good Bean – Chickpea snacks and crisps.
11. Clif Bar – Energy bars, some are vegan-friendly. Uses sugar.

Plant-Based Milks – I didn’t * any of these as I tend to make my own milks.

1. Oatly – Oat milk.
2. Almond Breeze (Blue Diamond Almonds) – Almond milk.
3. Silk – Offers soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and coconut milk.
4. Ripple – Pea protein-based milk.
5. Califia Farms – Offers a variety of almond, oat, and coconut milks.
6. Pacific Foods – Hemp and hazelnut milks.
7. Elmhurst – Range of nut milks including cashew and walnut.

Condiments and Sauces

1. Vegenaise (Follow Your Heart) – Vegan mayonnaise. The original and many people feel is still the best.
2. * Annie’s Naturals – Offers vegan salad dressings and condiments.
3. * Bragg – Nutritional yeast and liquid aminos.
4. Sir Kensington’s – Vegan mayo and special sauces.
5. Primal Kitchen – Vegan salad dressings and mayos.

Baking Ingredients

1. * Enjoy Life – Vegan chocolate chips and baking chocolate.
2. Ener-G – Egg replacer for baking.
3. Earth Balance – Vegan buttery spreads and baking sticks.
4. King Arthur Baking Company – Gluten-free and vegan baking mixes.
5. Wholesome Sweeteners – Organic, vegan-friendly sugars and syrups.
6. Namaste Foods – Vegan-friendly baking mixes and flours.

Frozen Meals and Convenience Foods

1. Sweet Earth Foods – Plant-based burritos, bowls, and pizzas.
2. * Lightlife – Plant-based hot dogs, deli slices, and tempeh.
3. Dr. Praeger’s – Veggie burgers, patties, and bowls.
4. Amy’s Kitchen – Vegan frozen meals and soups. (not 100% vegan)
5. Gardein – Assortment of meat-free meals and snacks.
6. Tattooed Chef – Vegan bowls, pizzas, and meal components.

Supplements and Protein Powders

1. * Orgain – Organic plant-based protein powders.
2. * Sunwarrior – Plant-based proteins and supplements.
3. * Nutiva – Hemp protein and other superfood supplements.
4. * Vega – Plant-based protein powders and supplements.
5. * Garden of Life – Vegan protein powders and meal replacements.

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