FitSugar

Hit the Grill With These Vegan-Friendly Burgers

Lizzie Fuhr — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:09:32 PDT

There's nothing better than some grilled goodness on a sunny Spring day. If you've taken on a vegan or vegetarian diet and you're tired of those prepackaged burgers, you're in luck. I've got you covered with nine vegan burger recipes that are bursting with flavor. There's something to tempt every vegan regardless of their preferences, from white bean to black bean to portobello. No one-size-fits-all here! Click through to get inspired for backyard BBQ bliss or a weeknight supper.

Dairy-Free Ways to Get Your Chocolate Fix

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:29:20 PDT

If dairy products don't sit well with your belly or you choose to eat a vegan diet, then you can still satisfy your chocolate cravings. Although milk chocolate is made with dairy, many dark chocolate products are not. Just be sure to read the label before indulging in any chocolatey treat. I've done the legwork for you and gathered a list of my favorite dessert products and recipes that don't contain a drop of milk, butter, or cream.

Use vegan chocolate chips and whip up a batch of vegan chocolate mouse made with this simple three-ingredient recipe.
Endangered Species makes a few varieties of dairy-free dark chocolate including Dark Chocolate With Cranberries and Almonds, Dark Chocolate With Mint, Dark Chocolate With Blueberries, and Dark Chocolate With Espresso Beans.
Get baking and prepare these decadent vegan brownies made with a secret ingredient: spinach. Top with fresh fruit puree or enjoy it on its own.
If you prefer a crunchy cookie, then bake up a healthier, vegan version of Thin Mints.

See more dairy-free chocolate ideas after the break!

Staying Vegan on the Big Day: Wedding Menu Options

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:15:45 PDT

Even though wedding meals typically include bacon-wrapped scallops, filet mignon, and wedding cake smothered in buttercream frosting, you can still enjoy a delicious vegan menu if you, your partner, or your guests follow this animal-free diet. A little creative planning is all it takes, and since many venues, caterers, and bakers are being asked more about vegan options, chances are your venders will be able to accommodate your needs. When planning your own wedding, here are some tasty ideas for your vegan meal.

Cold Hors d'Oeuvres

Crispy sweet-potato pancakes topped with apple cinnamon chutney
Mini shot glasses of roasted red pepper hummus with carrot and celery sticks
Dates filled with soy cheese and wrapped in crispy portobello strips

Warm Hors d'Oeuvres

Tomato oregano risotto cakes topped with dairy-free pesto
Roasted veggie skewers with cardamom ginger dressing for dipping
Falafel balls with tzatziki sauce

Salads

Baby spinach with golden beets, candied walnuts, and raspberry vinaigrette
Mixed greens with ripe pears, edamame, sunflower seeds, and an avocado ginger dressing
Cucumber, tomato, and basil salad with cubes of baked tofu and balsamic vinaigrette

See vegan options for the main course, dessert, and brunch course after the break!

Dainty Vegan Teatime Cookies

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:21:48 PDT

Warmer months mean lazy afternoon tea parties, and these thumbprint cookies are a dainty treat to add to the table. For added crunch and flavor, try rolling the crisp, crumbly shortbread in toasted, slivered almonds. Although vegan, the smooth, dark chocolate "buttercream" imparts rich, tart notes to the otherwise delicate cookie. Take a look at the fast and easy recipe.

A Reader Recipe: Walnut Pecan Pate

Fit Community — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:18:44 PDT

FitSugar reader Figandfork posted an inventive appetizer in our Healthy Recipe group. With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you can make it too.

A healthy, super-quick vegan dip!

See the full recipe for this walnut pecan pate at Fig and Fork, then share your own delicious recipes in our Healthy Recipe group. We may feature your post on our homepage!

15 Vegan Lunches You Can Take to Work

Leta Shy — Mon, 07 May 2012 07:08:16 PDT

Whether you forgo animals only on Meatless Monday or you're a vegan through and through, it seems like more and more of us have tried an animal product-free diet. While going vegan may take a bit more thought and effort than an unrestricted diet, with a little pre-planning - like checking ingredients in store-bought breads and stocking up on vegan pantry essentials - you can still enjoy delicious, exciting meals no matter what time of day. To start your work week, we've found 15 tasty vegan lunches that are perfect for brown-bagging to work. Click through for the recipes!

How Carrie Underwood Gets That Blown Away Body

Michele Foley — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:13:07 PDT

She may be tiny, but Carrie Underwood is one strong and toned woman - I mean, check out the legs on the cover of Carrie's new album, Blown Away. Since leaving American Idol almost eight years ago, Carrie has transformed herself through a healthy diet and regular fitness routine. Learn more about what the vegan star eats and the exercises that get her through the day!

3 Ways Going Vegan Helps You Lose Weight, 3 Ways It Makes You Gain

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:24:16 PDT

Celebs like Alicia Silverstone, Alanis Morissette, and Olivia Wilde all benefit from a vegan diet - now add actress Mischa Barton to the list. The 26-year-old actress showed off her slim and healthy figure on the set of Oasis singer Noel Gallagher's new music video. Mischa told Us Weekly, "I've been running like three miles a day," and added she also loves juice cleanses and vegan food.

Vegan diets are becoming more associated with weight loss these days, and while omitting animal-derived products like meat, dairy, and eggs can help achieve weight loss, going vegan doesn't instantly drop pounds from the scale. Check out how ditching animal products from your diet can help you lose weight, but how it can also cause you to gain.

How a Vegan Diet Encourages Weight Loss

Hamburgers, hot dogs, steak, sausages, barbecue chicken, ribs - meat tends to be high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and waist-expanding calories. In comparison, meat-free alternatives like tofu, veggie burgers, tempeh, and seitan are much lower in calories, but still high in protein, making them diet-friendly foods.
Butter, whole milk, and cheese are also high on the caloric scale, and if you're ditching them, that means skipping out on a slice at the pizzeria down the street and saying no to a cone at the local ice cream parlor. Of course there are still plenty of vegan alternatives to dairy products, but as long as you're not overindulging in them, you'll most likely still lose weight.
Going vegan encourages eating a primarily plant-based diet, which includes tons of veggies like kale, carrots, broccoli, and spinach. They're low in calories and high in fiber, so they make you feel full without busting the calorie bank. And since your hunger is satiated, you'll end up consuming less calories throughout the day.

Keep reading to find out how a vegan diet can lead to weight gain.

Vegan Is Love - Having Heart and Taking Action: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding Me?

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:21:10 PDT

Alternative diets may be all the rage, but how early should they be introduced to tots? Sure, some kids have to eat wheat-, nut-, or dairy-free diets due to allergies, but a growing number of families are opting to raise their lil ones vegan because that's how mom and dad eat - and we're not just talking about celeb tots who follow alternative eating plans.

Ruby Roth, a children's book author who became a vegan as an adult, is hoping to show children that choosing a vegan lifestyle is not only healthy, but brave, too. Her latest book, Vegan Is Love: Having Heart and Taking Action won't be released until next week, but it's already generating criticism from parents and dietitians who fear that after reading the book, kids may choose to give up meat and dairy without proper nutritional planning. What do you think?

Is It Vegan or Not So Much? The Quiz

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:32:46 PDT

While sticking to a plant-based diet may be the mantra of health-conscious vegans, sometimes deciphering the long list of ingredients on prepackaged goods can be a little bit of a bother. While it's not necessarily a testament to just how healthy all these products are, sometimes a surprise or two can sneak up on you when you're first kicking off a vegan plan. How much do you know about the ingredients on your supermarket's shelves? Take this quiz and see!

Question 1 of 8

Lisanatti SoySation Cheese