Plant-Based Foods We Can't Live Without

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Eating a well rounded plant based diet isn’t as hard as some people think, but if you want a crash course in all-star plant based ingredients you’ve come to the right place. These are our dietary cornerstones that make healthy plant based living easy and delicious.

a healthy yogurt bowl with fruits, nuts, and seeds

Flax Seeds

Flax has endless uses both for utility in cooking and baking and for health. We use ground flaxseed as a binder in gluten-free baking and as an egg substitute in our recipes. It's high fiber, high in omega-3 fatty acids, and high in protein. The major boost of fiber from flax is great, but if you don’t have a high fiber diet already take it slow with introducing flax into your diet to avoid bloating and discomfort.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds hold the same palace in baking as flax, and have many of the same benefits. Besides making a great egg substitute, chia seeds are an easy and tasty way to add fiber and protein to your breakfast or snack.

a white bowl with a lentil curry and white rice

Lentils

In terms of vegan protein, lentils get you the biggest bang for your buck no question. Dried lentils will get you the cheapest meal, or you can do canned for convenience. Either way they’re super low cost and super versatile.

Melt Butter

Melt butter is what we use in all of our plant-based baking. Allergen free, certified organic, and with a super buttery taste and texture, it’s pretty unbeatable in the world of plant based butter. It’s a go to for any recipe that calls for butter, or just spread on a piece of toast.

Nutritional Yeast

We have a whole post about how much we love nutritional yeast, but to keep it brief: It's a vegan source of vitamin B12, it's a complete protein, and it adds a mouthwatering cheesy, savory flavor to any dish. Nutritional yeast is hugely versatile as a cheese replacement, and we use it at the bakery in our Vegan Gluten-Free Spinach Cheddar Quiche.

Chickpeas

Legumes are a great source of protein in a plant based diet, but chickpeas in particular have a versatility that makes them really shine. Besides being the star ingredient in a delicious hummus and making a great addition to any stew, they can be a huge asset to vegan and gluten free baking. Chickpea flour can be used as a binder in gluten-free baking or as an egg substitute, and the water from canned chickpeas, called aquafabia, can whip up into a vegan meringue.

Almonds

This spot really goes to nuts in general, but almonds are a personal favorite. They bring fiber, fatty acids, and protein in the easiest to get way- just snack on a handful. If you have a little more time you can make a fantastic granola or add some crunch to a breakfast or snack. Almond flour is also an excellent and nutritious component of gluten free baking, and a vital ingredient in some of our tastiest treats at the bakery.

Avocado Oil

If we’re cooking anything at high temperatures, we’re using avocado oil. It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which makes it perfectly suited for pan frying or oven roasting pretty much anything.

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the counter of a vegan cafe and market with vegan products and bakery case

GreenPot Cafe & Market

Jan 22, 2026

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