<p>Incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet can significantly improve your health, supporting gut health, reducing inflammation, and providing essential nutrients. Here at NuMi we recommend aiming for 30 portions of plant per week! However we do recognise that making a big shift to a more plant-centric diet can seem daunting. In this post, Gino, our in-house chef will share five simple swap-outs that make adding more plants to your meals effortless. Alongside this he shares tips and tricks to boost your plant intake by adding flavour.</p><p><strong>A Huge Fan of Pulses</strong><br>Gino is a huge fan of pulses, particularly lentils and dried peas. He always makes sure to soak them in the morning. One of his favourite tools for cooking pulses is a pressure cooker, which significantly speeds up the process—a handy solution, especially since the time it takes to cook pulses can often be a barrier to using them more frequently.</p><p><strong>Roasting Vegetables for Enhanced Flavour</strong><br>Vegetables don’t just have to be boiled, according to Gino. He loves roasting vegetables because the process caramelises them, enhancing their flavour and creating those crispy bits that everyone enjoys. When roasting, Gino doesn’t bother with heating up fat in a pan. Instead, he cuts up the vegetables, tosses them in a small amount of oil in a bowl to get an even coating, and then lets the oven work its magic to create those delicious, tasty edges that are synonymous with roasted foods.</p><p><strong>Breakfast Boosts</strong><br>Gino is all about starting the day right, and he recommends swapping out traditional cereals for a plant-based start to your day. One of his go-to options is overnight oats packed with chia seeds and topped with fresh fruits. This simple swap not only adds fibre but also provides a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, setting a healthy tone for the rest of the day.</p><p><strong>Lunchtime Enhancements</strong><br>When it comes to lunch, Gino suggests replacing regular sandwich bread with a whole grain wrap. Fill it with plenty of vegetables and one of his favourite rainbow dips (LINK TO RECIPES). This swap not only increases your plant intake but also provides a range of nutrients, including protein and fibre, making your lunchtime both delicious and nutritious.</p><p><strong>Dinner Delights</strong><br>Dinner is a great opportunity to introduce more plant-powered options into your meals. Gino loves to substitute or complement meat-based dishes with lentils. Whether added to a shepherd’s pie or a bolognese, lentils bring heartiness and richness, along with extra vitamins and minerals, to your standard recipes.<br><br>&nbsp;</p>