What is a Veggie?
It’s easier to say what vegetarians don’t eat! No meat, fish or anything from a slaughterhouse such as gelatine and meat stocks. But vegetarians may eat dairy products and free-range eggs. A vegan avoids animal products entirely.
 
Ready, Steady, Cook
If you think about it – a lot of things in the store cupboard, fridge and freezer are veggie. You could walk into the kitchen right now and rustle up a great meal. There’s fresh and frozen vegetables; pasta, rice and potatoes; tinned beans, tomatoes and sweet corn; flour, herbs and spices, noodles, oil and margarine. This alone will get you going but with a little bit of additional shopping, you’re really in business.

 
 
All the old favourite foods are still on the agenda – pies and pasties, pizzas and paella, chilli and chunky chips, burgers and bangers, bacon and brilliant curries. The only difference is, there’s no meat in them. It’s obviously cheaper to cook these dishes yourself but ready-made versions are available everywhere. Supermarkets have a huge range but don’t forget your local health food shop for good advice and really tasty alternatives.
   
 
Lazy Daisy
If that’s you then get down to your supermarket or health shop because there’s all kinds of things in tins and packets – all you have to do is open them. There are pots of noodles, curries and chow mein, tins of spag bol, rigatoni and veggie ravioli. Pizzas, ratatouille, veg casserole with herb dumplings, stew – they’re all there. And don’t forget the humble baked bean – they even come with veggie sausages. Then there’s nachos, refried beans and tortillas – not to mention garlic mushrooms, vegetable chilli, provençal and goulash. Eat them on their own or as toppings for baked potatoes.