More of us than ever are going meat free – it's estimated that more than 1.2 million people are vegetarian in the UK, while the number of vegans has risen by 360 per cent in just a decade. But whether taking part in Veganuary for the month or maintaining a plant-based diet long term, it can be challenging to find the right balance of nutritious, convenient and – most importantly – exciting foods to make mealtimes quick and easy.
That's where a new breed of subscription boxes come in: delivered straight to the door and packed with fresh ingredients, unusual snacks and recipe inspiration, they leave little excuse not to stay on track. Here, we take a look at some of the best available in the UK.
Mindful Chef
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This recipe-box service focuses on healthy, gluten-free fare. Each meal is devised by co-founder Myles Hopper, who draws on his expertise as a personal trainer and nutritional coach to create a varied menu that makes the most of its locally sourced produce, as well as being carefully designed for even the most inexperienced of home chefs. Simply select the dishes that take your fancy – there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options to choose from – and wait for the ingredients to arrive. They deliver on Mondays nationwide or for those within the M25 they handily deliver on a Sunday.
From £6 per portion; mindfulchef.com
Vegan Tuck Box
Animal-based ingredients can crop up in the most unsuspecting food items, with gelatine and many types of sugar and colourants among the worst offenders.
Thanks to this, sweet treats in particular can be a minefield for vegetarians and vegans, making services such as the Vegan Tuck Box all the more reassuring. Each monthly parcel is packed with a selection of snacks, and 10p from the sale of each box goes towards vegan outreach and animal sanctuaries.
From £9.50 per month; vegantuckbox.co.uk
The Goodness Project
Often, going vegan is not just about the health benefits – it's a commitment to living a greener and more ethical lifestyle too. This is where subscriptions such as The Goodness Project come in handy: the monthly boxes mainly contain an assortment of guilt-free snacks, but also the occasional lifestyle product. It's a great way to sample a wide selection of new brands knowing they've been sourced with strict cruelty-free criteria in mind.
Vegan Goodness Box starts from £9.95 per month; thegoodnessproject.co.uk
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