Meal planning
How to plan vegan meals: the plate model, a 7-day vegan meal plan with recipe links, a daily eating schedule, a shopping list and batch-cooking tips, plus the nutrients (B12 first) every plan should cover.
Quick answer: A good vegan meal plan builds each meal from vegetables and fruit, a wholegrain or starchy food, a protein food such as beans, lentils, tofu or tempeh, and a small amount of healthy fat — and adds a reliable vitamin B12 source every day. Planning a week at a time, batch-cooking staples and reusing leftovers keeps it cheap and quick. The 7-day plan, daily schedule and shopping list below are a starting point to adapt.
Key facts
- Plate model: about half vegetables and fruit, a quarter wholegrains or starchy foods, a quarter protein foods, plus a little healthy fat — a vegan take on guides such as the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate.
- NHS advice for vegans: at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, meals based on starchy foods, fortified dairy alternatives, beans and pulses, and omega-3-rich nuts and seeds such as walnuts daily (NHS).
- B12: fortified foods providing at least 3 µg a day, a daily 10 µg supplement, or a weekly 2,000 µg supplement (Vegan Society).
- Omega-3: the Vegan Society suggests one to two rich sources of ALA daily, such as walnuts, chia, ground linseed or hemp seeds (Vegan Society).
- Time-savers: batch-cooked grains, beans and sauces; planned leftovers; a stocked pantry.
Meal planning is the practice of deciding in advance what to eat over a period, typically a week. For people following a vegan diet, meal planning helps ensure that meals are nutritionally balanced, that key nutrients are covered, and that shopping is efficient. It is often recommended for people who are new to veganism (see how to go vegan).
Food groups
Most vegan meal-planning guides organise foods into a few broad groups:
- Vegetables and fruit – including dark green leafy vegetables, orange vegetables, berries and citrus fruits.
- Whole grains and starchy foods – oats, brown rice, wholemeal bread and pasta, quinoa, barley and potatoes.
- Legumes and protein foods – beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas, tofu, tempeh and seitan.
- Nuts and seeds – including walnuts, ground flaxseed, chia, hemp and pumpkin seeds.
- Fortified foods – such as plant based milks with added calcium, B12, vitamin D and iodine.
- Healthy fats – such as rapeseed oil, olive oil and avocado, in moderate amounts.
The plate model
A plate model is a simple visual guide to building a balanced meal. Several variations exist, including the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate and vegan adaptations of national food guides. A common vegan version divides a plate as follows:
| Portion of plate | Food group | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| About half | Vegetables and fruit | Broccoli, salad, roasted peppers, berries |
| About a quarter | Whole grains or starchy foods | Brown rice, wholemeal pasta, potatoes |
| About a quarter | Protein foods | Lentils, beans, tofu, tempeh |
| Small addition | Healthy fats | Seeds, nuts, avocado, a drizzle of oil |
A glass of fortified plant milk or a calcium-rich food can accompany the meal. The plate model is a general guide; individual needs vary with age, activity level and health. Children, athletes and people trying to gain weight may need more energy-dense foods (see vegan pregnancy and children and vegan athletes).
Covering key nutrients
Meal planning provides an opportunity to include nutrients that need particular attention on a vegan diet:
- Vitamin B12 – a supplement or fortified foods every day.
- Protein – a legume or soya food at most meals.
- Calcium – calcium-set tofu, fortified plant milks and low-oxalate greens.
- Iron – iron-rich foods paired with vitamin C sources.
- Omega-3 – a daily serving of ground flaxseed, chia, hemp or walnuts.
- Iodine and vitamin D – fortified foods or supplements as appropriate.
Example weekly plan
The following is an illustrative example rather than a prescription. Quantities should be adjusted to individual needs.
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Porridge with soya milk, berries and ground flaxseed | Turkish red lentil soup with wholemeal bread | Ginger tempeh stir-fry with brown rice |
| Tuesday | Wholegrain toast with peanut butter and banana | Quinoa tabbouleh with chickpeas | Black bean tacos with slaw and salsa |
| Wednesday | Tofu scramble with spinach and tomatoes | Hummus and falafel wrap with salad | Wholemeal pasta with lentil bolognese |
| Thursday | Fortified cereal with plant milk and kiwi | Leftover pasta and side salad | Coconut chickpea curry with brown rice |
| Friday | Berry chia overnight oats | Hearty minestrone with oatcakes | Roasted veg Buddha bowl |
| Saturday | Fluffy vegan pancakes with fruit | Baked potato with baked beans and broccoli | Miso ramen with tofu and greens |
| Sunday | Smoothie with soya milk, oats, banana and hemp seeds | Mushroom stroganoff with rice | Roasted butternut squash soup and crusty bread |
Egg-free pancake methods are described in egg substitutes. Snacks might include fruit, a handful of nuts, hummus with vegetable sticks, soya yoghurt or roasted chickpeas. All linked dishes are in the itsvegan recipe collection.
A sample daily eating schedule
Some people find a regular rhythm easier than planning each meal from scratch. One example:
| Time | What | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Breakfast with a fortified food and an omega-3 source | Oats with fortified soya milk, fruit and ground flaxseed |
| Mid-morning | Snack (optional) | Fruit and a few walnuts |
| Midday | Lunch with legumes and vegetables | Lentil soup or a bean salad with wholegrain bread |
| Afternoon | Snack (optional) | Soya yoghurt, hummus and vegetables, or a golden turmeric latte |
| Evening | Dinner with a protein food, vegetables and a grain | Tofu or tempeh stir-fry with brown rice |
| Daily | Supplements | B12 every day; vitamin D in autumn and winter (UK advice); iodine if not otherwise covered |
Timings are flexible: what matters most is the overall variety and amount over the day. People with diabetes, eating disorders or other medical conditions should follow the advice of their own care team.
Shopping list for a vegan week
| Category | Staples |
|---|---|
| Pantry | Oats, brown rice, wholemeal pasta, quinoa, red lentils, tinned beans and chickpeas, tinned tomatoes, peanut butter, tahini, stock, spices |
| Fridge | Firm calcium-set tofu, tempeh, fortified soya or oat milk, soya yoghurt, hummus |
| Fresh produce | Onions, garlic, carrots, leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, seasonal fruit, lemons |
| Freezer | Frozen peas, spinach, mixed vegetables, berries |
| Nuts and seeds | Walnuts, ground flaxseed, chia, hemp or pumpkin seeds |
| Extras | Nutritional yeast, iodised salt (if you use salt), vitamin B12 supplement |
Practical tips
- Batch cook staples such as grains, beans, soups and sauces at the start of the week.
- Plan for leftovers, using one evening’s dinner as the next day’s lunch.
- Keep a stocked pantry of tinned beans, lentils, tinned tomatoes, grains, spices and nut butters.
- Write a shopping list from the plan to reduce food waste and cost (see vegan on a budget).
- Rotate recipes to keep meals varied and cover a wider range of nutrients.
- Prepare components such as washed salad leaves, chopped vegetables and dressings in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a vegan meal plan?
Pick a few breakfasts, lunches and dinners you enjoy, check that each dinner has a protein food, a grain or starchy food and plenty of vegetables, then write a shopping list from the plan. Cook staples in bulk at the weekend and plan leftovers for lunches.
What does a vegan eat in a day?
A typical day might be porridge with fortified plant milk and fruit, a lentil soup or bean salad at lunch, and a tofu stir-fry with rice for dinner, with fruit, nuts or hummus as snacks and a daily B12 supplement.
How can I get enough protein on a vegan meal plan?
Include a legume or soya food — beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, tempeh or soya milk — at most meals, alongside grains, nuts and seeds. See protein.
Can vegan meal planning help me save money?
Yes. Beans, lentils, oats, rice and seasonal or frozen vegetables are inexpensive, and planning reduces waste. See vegan on a budget.
Sources
- NHS – The vegan diet
- The Vegan Society – What every vegan should know about vitamin B12
- The Vegan Society – Omega-3 and omega-6 fats
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Healthy Eating Plate
Individuals with specific health needs should consult a doctor or registered dietitian for personal advice.
Last reviewed: 31 October 2026.