20+ Healthy Plant Based Recipes I Ate For Weight Loss (2024)

This healthy plant-based recipes can help you reach your weight goals by being both tasty and satisfying. Keep in mind, many of these recipes are very versatile. If your dietary restrictions or personal tastes are different, you can swap ingredients out. I have included substitutions to help you make these tasty recipes all while following your own diet.

If you like these recipes, you’ll also like these healthy vegan buddha bowl recipes, as well as these lazy vegan recipes for quick weeknight meals.

1. Vegan black bean chili from scratch

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Vegan Black Bean Chili From Scratch (Smoky & Tasty)

This vegan black bean chili is vegan, tasty, and easy to make. Sauté the vegetables with a splash of water instead of olive oil to make it whole food plant-based. Experiment with your favorite veggies and spices and make a batch for the week ahead!

Check out this recipe

2. Quinoa Veggie Power Bowls

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Quinoa And Veggie Power Bowl

These quinoa and veggie power bowls are full of flavor and hearty ingredients to keep you full for a long time.

Check out this recipe

3. 10-Minute Vegan Mango Salsa

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10-Minute Vegan Mango Summer Salsa

Salsa is a great way to dress up other plant-based dishes. I use this summery salsa to dress up vegan tacos or lettuce wraps. It's fruity and full of flavor!

Check out this recipe

4. Vegan Cabbage Soup

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Cabbage Soup Recipe (Vegan)

This vegan cabbage soup has always been one of my go-to recipes. I've made in the crockpot, as well as the stovetop. If you're avoiding oil, sauté the veggies with a splash of water and watch them closely. This recipe is so tasty and satisfying, and it's perfect for a chilly winter night!

Check out this recipe

5. Vegan Pumpkin Soup with Homemade Coconut Milk

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Vegan Pumpkin Soup With Coconut Milk

This vegan pumpkin soup is perfect for a night in the fall when pumpkins are in season. If you're avoiding oil, sauté the onion in a splash of water. You can use store-bought coconut milk, or make your own from scratch (it's easy!)

Check out this recipe

6. Healthy Carrot Cake Protein Bars

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Healthy Carrot Cake Protein Bars

When the sweet tooth strikes, these carrot cake bars come to the rescue. Naturally sweetened with dates, there is no added sugar to these satisfying bars. It is recommended to add a small amount of oil to help the ingredients process, but I have made these many times without oil and they were just as good.

Check out this recipe

7. Air Fryer Lentil Burgers

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Vegan Air Fryer Lentil Sliders Recipe

Throw these lentil burgers on a lettuce wrap instead of a bun, and you have a satisfying weeknight meal. I've also used the "lentil meat" in this recipe to make tacos and they were delicious.

Check out this recipe

8. Healthy Black Bean Soup

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Healthy Black Bean and Tortilla Soup (Vegan)

This recipe is delicious and easy to make WFPB. Simply skip the homemade tortilla chips (as they require oil to crisp up). You can dress this soup up with any toppings you like.

Check out this recipe

9. Easiest Ever Black Bean Soup

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Easiest Ever Black Bean Soup (Vegan & Healthy)

This easy vegan black bean soup is simple while also being versatile. Enjoy this smoky and comforting soup as is, or mix up the flavors as you wish.

Check out this recipe

10. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

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Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup

This creamy, tasty butternut squash soup is made in the slow-cooker for an easy weeknight meal.

Check out this recipe

11. Vegan Roasted Beet Salad

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Vegan Roasted Beet Salad (With Fruity Dressing)

This vegan beet salad is fruity and "rooty". It's a healthy option as a side salad or it can be dressed up with protein for a complete meal.

Check out this recipe

12. Baked Portobello Mushroom Burgers

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Baked Portobello Mushroom Burger (Easy & Vegan)

I love these mushroom burgers and make them anytime grilling season comes around. You can also bake them in the oven for a perfect texture. If you don't want to marinate them in oil & vinegar, try using hot sauce instead. You can also use rice vinegar and a variety of spices to mix up the flavor.

Check out this recipe

13. Easy Tofu Stir-Fry

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Crispy, Tasty Vegan Tofu Stir Fry

If tofu is in your diet, this is a great starting point for a tasty stir-fry. If you want to omit the sesame oil or soy sauce, try using date syrup and balsamic vinegar instead. You'll get that sweet and salty flavor for the sauce with all the satisfying crunch from the veggies. You can also use chickpeas instead of tofu if you're soy-free.

Check out this recipe

14. Healthy Vegan Chickpea Burgers

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Healthy Vegan Chickpea Veggie Burgers

These heathy vegan chickpea veggie burgers are packed with comforting flavors and filling ingredients.

Check out this recipe

15. Apple Cucumber Smoothie

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Apple Cucumber Smoothie – Through The Fibro Fog

This apple cucumber smoothie is light and hydrating, and perfect to make as a quick healthy breakfast or snack! Chia seeds will help you feel satisfied while apple and cucumber give a boost of flavor.

Check out this recipe

16. Smoky Chickpea Tacos

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Smoky Vegan Chickpea Tacos

Chickpeas are one of those magical, satisfying ingredients that work so well in a variety of recipes. I've even used them in baked goods several times! These smoky tacos are vegan and gluten-free. You can also leave out the oil or serve these on a bed of lettuce or a salad for an even leaner meal.

Check out this recipe

17. Peaches and “Cream” Dessert Popsicles

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Vegan Peaches and Cream Dessert Popsicles

There is nothing healthy about heavy cream, but these dessert popsicles use dairy-free milk to make a satisfying and creamy summer treat. Peaches are one of my favorite fruits, and these dessert popsicles are always a huge hit with vegans and non-vegans alike.

Check out this recipe

18. Air Fryer Mexican Potatoes

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Spicy Air Fryer Mexican Potatoes with Jalapeño, Tomato and Onion (oil-free) – Very Veganish

Spicy and flavorful, these Mexican-style potatoes with jalapeño, onion, garlic, tomato and cilantro are delicious and low in calories. Try this healthy, easy vegan, plant-based potato recipe by itself, as a side or as a taco filling.

Check out this recipe

19. Magic Cauliflower Cream Sauce

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Magic Cauliflower Cream Sauce

This magical cauliflower cream sauce puree is the perfect meal prep recipe for pasta, pizza, casserole, risotto, and soups all week long!

Check out this recipe

20. Easy Oat Milk Chia Pudding

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Easy Oat Milk Chia Pudding (With 3 Flavors)

You will love this oat milk chia pudding that is an easy breakfast that is great for on-the-go. Top with your favorite fresh fruit or try out one of the three fun flavors including Chocolate

Check out this recipe

21. Pound-O-Spinach Stir Fry

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One Pot “Pound-Of-Spinach” Stir Fry (Vegan)

This one pot meal uses an entire pound of spinach for a tasty and flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

Check out this recipe

22. Healing Broth Soup

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20 min Healing Broth Soup [+VIDEO] | MasalaHerb.com

A quick clear broth soup with healing ginger, turmeric, garlic, lemon, health-boosting spices & herbs. Oil free + one pot + low calorie

Check out this recipe

23. Strawberry Blackberry Banana Smoothie

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Strawberry Blackberry Banana Smoothie | Savor The Spoonful

This strawberry blackberry banana smoothie is perfect for breakfast or after a workout. It is super healthy and easy to make at home! Yum!

Check out this recipe

24. Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Oatmeal

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Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Oatmeal With Turmeric | MomsWhoSave.com

What I love about this Pumpkin Oatmeal with Turmeric recipe is how easy it is to make and how good it is for you at the same time.

Check out this recipe

Honorable mentions

These recipes are worth including on this round-up because they’re tasty, healthy and satisfying. I’ll keep this list updated as I go to include my favorites.

I hope you enjoyed this round up of healthy, plant-based recipes! Be sure to leave a comment with your favorite recipes below. I’m always looking to mix it up in the kitchen and experiment with new ideas.

20+ Healthy Plant Based Recipes I Ate For Weight Loss (2024)

FAQs

Can you lose weight eating only plant-based foods? ›

A new study finds that following a plant-based diet is more associated with weight loss for overweight adults than a standard omnivorous diet. It also concludes that the quality of such a diet makes a difference when it comes to how much weight is lost.

How much weight can you lose in a month on a plant-based diet? ›

Vegan diet to lose weight

Studies have shown that a vegan diet can reduce your weight by an average of 5.6 pounds in 18 weeks, or less or more than a third of a pound per week!

How to lose 20 pounds on a vegan diet? ›

5 Habits for Easy Vegan Weight Loss: How I Lost 20 lbs
  1. Consuming enough vegan protein. ...
  2. Eat enough Fruit and Vegetables. ...
  3. Make sure your meals are balanced! ...
  4. 80/20 Rule. ...
  5. Create a list of easy vegan recipes.
Feb 3, 2024

How to lose belly fat on plant-based diet? ›

Fiber-rich, gut-friendly foods like legumes, avocados, potatoes and berries could all help reduce visceral fat and opting for at least one vegan meal each day will assist you in ramping up your fiber intake with ease—along with complex carbs, healthy fats and other essential nutrients.

How did Kelly Clarkson lose her weight? ›

Clarkson credits her move to New York City for helping her get active. In an exclusive interview with People, she revealed that she's lost weight because she's now taking her wellness seriously and walking more. She's never shared whether she has a gym routine but said “Walking in the city is quite the workout."

Why am I not losing weight on whole food plant-based diet? ›

A whole food plant-based diet often leads to healthy weight loss, but if you're not seeing the scale move, these reasons could be why: You're still eating and cooking with oil. You need to eat more leafy greens (and fiber in general) You're going out to eat too much.

Can you lose 20 pounds in a month? ›

Though losing 20 pounds can seem like a challenge, you can do it safely by making changes to your eating pattern, exercise routine, and other eating practices. That said, losing 20 pounds in one month is unsafe and unsustainable. Instead, try losing between 4 and 8 pounds this month, and matching it the next month.

Why am I gaining weight on plant-based diet? ›

But while a steady diet of plant-based foods are thought to keep your body at a healthy weight, experts like registered dietitian Michelle Hyman, MS, RD, CDN, explained that replacing animal proteins with an excessive amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and vegan junk food, may actually result in unwanted weight gain if ...

How much weight can I lose in 2 weeks on plant-based diet? ›

Eating a vegan diet is associated with a decreased risk of diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. This vegan weight loss meal plan also sets you up to lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week.

How long does it take to lose 20 pounds naturally? ›

That said, many healthy weight-loss guidelines say you should aim to lose one or two pounds per week (whether you have five or 50 pounds to lose), that means it could take anywhere from 10 to 20 weeks to lose 20 pounds.

What plant-based foods are good for weight loss? ›

Vegetarian foods that may aid weight loss include: Non-starchy vegetables: broccoli, bell pepper, cauliflower, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots, celery, and cucumber. Starchy vegetables: peas, potatoes, corn, and winter squash.

What snack foods can vegans eat? ›

Try These Popular Vegan Snacks (Chips, Cookies, and More)
  • Vegan Rob's Chips.
  • Rivalz Extra Chedda' Mac.
  • Outstanding Foods PigOut Pigless Pork Rinds.
  • Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars—Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate.
  • Trader Joe's Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets.

How long does it take for your gut to adjust to a plant-based diet? ›

It may take some time for the microbiome, or gut bacteria, to adapt to a change in diet that emphasizes plant foods. In the beginning of your plant-based diet, you may experience some gastrointestinal discomfort. There are many who advise taking things slowly, as these symptoms can continue for weeks.

Why does my stomach hurt on plant-based diet? ›

Switching to a plant-based diet, especially if done abruptly, can lead to digestive discomfort. The increased fiber intake from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can cause gas, bloating, and changes in bowel habits as the gut adjusts to the new dietary pattern.

What should I eat to lose belly fat in 2 weeks? ›

Five foods that may help burn belly fat include:
  • foods with soluble fiber like fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
  • foods with protein like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy.
  • fatty fish like tuna and salmon.
  • foods with probiotics like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
  • green tea.

What happens if you only eat plant-based food? ›

Plants are high in fiber.

Eating a plant-based diet improves the health of your gut so you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fiber can lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar and it's great for good bowel management.

What is the average weight loss on a plant-based diet? ›

On average, people lost 7.48 pounds – an average that included people who did not keep to the diet. Among those who did keep to a vegetarian or vegan diet, the weight loss was just over 10 pounds. Fifteen studies were included in the analysis.

How fast will I lose weight on plant-based diet? ›

In studies published by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), average weight loss after switching to a whole-food, plant-based diet is about a pound a week.

Can you lose weight on a plant-based diet without exercise? ›

WASHINGTON (Jan. 22, 2015) — Adopting a vegetarian diet causes weight loss, even in the absence of exercise or calorie counting, according to a new meta-analysis published as an online advance in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on Thursday, Jan.

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