Plant-based / Plan the essentials
Eat in line with your values.
Plan for your needs.
People choose vegan eating for different reasons. Make the transition practical, and give nutrition the same attention as the foods you leave out.
Updated 28 September 2026
The essentials
Build variety
A well-planned vegan diet can provide the nutrients you need. Include a varied range of foods, with attention to nutrients that can be harder to obtain.
Plan vitamin B12
Reliable sources include appropriately fortified foods; a supplement may be needed. Do not assume that an ordinary plant-based meal supplies enough B12.
Check the details
Calcium, iron, vitamin D, iodine and selenium need consideration. Read labels on fortified alternatives and seek individual advice where necessary.
Choose your reason and your first recipe
Animal welfare and environmental concerns can shape a personal choice. You do not need a perfect slogan to begin. Our suggestion is to identify one reason that matters to you and one satisfying meal you would happily repeat.
A simple meal-building exercise
Try a bean-and-vegetable wrap, a lentil stew with bread or a tofu rice bowl. Adapt seasoning and ingredients to your budget. These are meal ideas, not complete daily nutrition plans; use the NHS guide below to review the wider diet.
Make a plan you can maintain
Keep a short shopping list, check what your usual fortified products actually contain and plan an alternative for busy days. If you have specific medical or nutritional needs, a registered dietitian can help you tailor the change. Vegan on the label is not, by itself, a guarantee of a balanced diet.