Do you have questions about eating a vegan diet? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions asked about going vegan.

Enjoy a delicious vegan meal from Beyond Sushi! On the menu, you’ll find globally inspired dishes that will leave a lasting impact on both your palette and the planet. Order Now

What Is A Vegan Diet?

A vegan diet eliminates all meat and animal-derived products. This includes red and white meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, dairy products, eggs, honey, gelatin, and other additives. 

View our blog, Vegetarian vs Plant-Based vs Vegan Diet for more information!

Is It Hard To Be Vegan?

Eliminating meat, dairy, eggs, fish, and other animal products is a lot easier than it sounds. This is especially true if you thoroughly research how to transition to a vegan diet and have the right mindset. It also helps that vegan foods are becoming more popular and mainstream, which makes it easier to shop and dine out at restaurants. If you’re still on the fence about eating a vegan diet, consider doing a trial run by going vegan for a week!

Is A Vegan Diet Healthy?

There are so many health benefits to a vegan diet, and research proves this! When you eliminate meat, dairy, and eggs, you significantly reduce your chances of developing chronic diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and more.

Can You Get Enough Protein Eating A Vegan Diet?

“Where do you get your protein?” is probably the most popular question asked by new vegans and non-vegans alike. The good news is, as long as you eat a variety of whole foods, you’ll be able to meet your daily protein needs on a vegan diet. 

View our blog, How To Get Protein on a Vegan Diet to discover the top sources of plant-based protein. 

Is Following A Vegan Diet Expensive?

You can absolutely eat a vegan diet on a budget or without spending a lot of money. While vegan junk foods and specialty vegan items can be pricey, other foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, grains, tofu, and canned beans are very affordable. Meat prices are on the rise, so you’ll probably end up spending less money on groceries over time.

Can I Still Be Vegan If There Aren’t Any Vegan Restaurants Or Stores Near Me?

Absolutely! While vegan restaurants and grocery stores can make life easier and are more convenient, neither of them are required to eat a vegan diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, plant-based milk, spices, and other pantry staples can all be found at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. 

Most vegan items sold at specialty grocery stores are usually heavily processed and should be seen as a treat. When it comes to dining out, you may have to modify your order and ask your waiter how items are prepared and if they can be made vegan. You could also try eating at Indian or Asian restaurants, which tend to be more vegan-friendly. If you need help navigating your local vegan restaurant scene, try downloading the Happy Cow app, which locates vegan dining options near you.

Can You Lose Weight On A Vegan Diet?

You can certainly lose weight on a vegan diet. New vegans often notice they’re able to lose a significant amount of weight without trying. But even when you’ve hit a plateau, there are many ways you can keep the number on the scale moving.

Is Honey Vegan?

This question is a hot debate topic for many vegans. While it’s easy to place meat, eggs, and dairy in the “not vegan” category, honey isn’t as easy to define. That being said, many vegans don’t consider honey to be vegan because of the way it exploits bees. The good news is, honey can easily be substituted with other vegan sweeteners, such as agave nectar, pure maple syrup, or date syrup.

Is Alcohol Vegan?

Most alcohol is vegan. Some alcohol may not be vegan because they are filtered with animal products such as isinglass (made from fish bladders), egg whites, or gelatin. Unfortunately, these ingredients won’t end up on the product label, making it hard to know if it’s vegan or not. If you’re worried your favorite beer, wine, or liquor may not be vegan-friendly, there’s an app for that! Barnivore is a vegan alcohol directory with over 53,000 beer, wine and liquor products.

Visit Beyond Sushi in NYC

We hope you enjoyed learning the answers to the most common questions asked about going vegan. If you’re ready to enjoy a delicious vegan meal, visit Beyond Sushi today! We’re best known for our innovative, plant-based offerings and a globally inspired menu that will leave a lasting impact on both your palette and the planet. Dine-in with us or order takeout or delivery today!

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When most people think of a typical college student’s diet, visions of pizza, boxed macaroni-and-cheese, and microwave noodles come to mind. But what do you eat if you’re vegan? Whether you’re a rising college freshman or a current student, use these tips on how to be vegan in college. These suggestions will make life a little easier and a lot more delicious!

Enjoy your favorite vegan dishes at Beyond Sushi! On the menu, you’ll find globally-inspired dishes that will leave a lasting impact on both your palette and the planet. Order Now

Do Your Research

If you’re in the early stages of applying to college or are looking to transfer to a new university, do your research and see if the schools you want to apply to are vegan-friendly:

• Check out PETA’s Vegan Report Card. Every year, the animal rights organization releases a survey of more than 1,400 colleges and universities’ dining programs across the United States. For each school, they share details such as if they offer non-dairy milk options, have an all-vegan station, and label vegan entrees. PETA also includes how satisfied students are with the school’s vegan offerings as well as student reviews.
• Review meal plan information. Most colleges have information about their dining hall options online, including menus. You may also want to look into how flexible the school’s meal plan options are. Some plans may only let you eat in a dining hall while others might allow you to use your account balance at other on-campus dining spots.
• Look at the surrounding area. Not living on campus? It’s still a good idea to see how vegan-friendly your college town is and what vegan options are available at local restaurants. It may not be essential, but it’s always good to know for social situations or when you need some vegan comfort food while studying for finals.

On-Campus Dining

Thanks to the rise in plant-based diets and more students becoming aware of how their food choices impact the planet, vegan options are now more common on college campuses. In fact, 70% of colleges offer at least one vegan option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Even if your college doesn’t provide dedicated vegan options, it doesn’t mean that you can’t follow a vegan diet—you’ll just have to get a little creative with what’s available to you. For example, you can make easy meals like oatmeal, salads, grain bowls, and veggie sandwiches out of your dining selections.

Pro tip: Always be nice to the dining hall staff. Better yet, talk to them about your dietary needs. They’ll be able to tell you more about how certain items are prepared and how they can be modified to be vegan. Also, if they know that more people are asking for vegan options, they may make changes to future menus.

If you live off-campus and aren’t eating in the dining halls, see what other options are available on campus. Most colleges have popular fast-food chains or other casual restaurants in the student union. More often than not, they’ll have at least one vegan option that can tide you over when hunger strikes.

The Vegan Dorm Room

Dorm room living and cooking is a far cry from what you’re used to at home. Most colleges have strict rules about what kind of appliances you can and can’t have in your dorm room due to fire hazards. So unless your dorm has a kitchen or access to a community kitchen, you’ll have to make do with just a microwave and a mini-fridge.

Here are some tips for eating vegan in your dorm:

• Purchase a dedicated mini-fridge. It may be tempting to want to share one fridge between you and your roommate, but with limited space, it can fill up fast. This also ensures that your roommate doesn’t put tempting non-vegan options in your space.
• Stock up on vegan-friendly snacks and staple foods. For instance, some basic vegan items include oatmeal, plant-based milk, nut butters, canned beans, crackers, bread, hummus, fruits, and veggies.
• Keep easy, dorm-friendly recipes on hand when you want a quick meal. For example, you could easily make overnight oats, veggie sandwiches or roll-ups, salads, and grain bowls with microwave rice or quinoa.

Connect with Other Vegans

Food is one of the easiest ways to connect with people. It’s also a great way to make a large campus feel smaller. Check with your school to see if there are any vegan clubs or groups. In addition, if you see other students in the dining hall eating vegan food, sit down next to them and start a conversation.

Visit Beyond Sushi in NYC

When you properly prepare, going vegan in college is easier than you think. If you’re ready to fuel up on a nutrient-rich, vegan meal, choose Beyond Sushi as your vegan restaurant of choice. We’re best known for our innovative, plant-based offerings and globally-inspired menu that will leave a lasting impact on both your palette and the planet. Dine-in with us or order takeout or delivery today!

Order Now

You’ve probably heard the phrase “go green” when it comes to environmentally-friendly practices, but what should be said is, “go vegan!” That’s because a vegan diet isn’t just good for your own health, but it’s also good for the health of the planet. According to a 2018 study conducted by the University of Oxford, going vegan is, “the single best way” to reduce your impact on the environment. Read on to learn more about why a vegan diet is better for the planet!

Enjoy your favorite vegan dishes at Beyond Sushi! On the menu, you’ll find globally-inspired dishes that will leave a lasting impact on both your palette and the planet. Order Now

Vegan Diets Reduce the Impact of Climate Change

Climate change is a hot topic in current times, and for a good reason. If we don’t start making changes now, the results could be catastrophic. While many people are switching to electric cars or solar powered energy, swapping what you put on your plate is a better way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Research from the American Association for the Advancement of Science shows that cutting meat and dairy products from your diet could reduce your carbon footprint by up to 73% from food. Even one vegan meal a day makes a difference. Suzy Amis Cameron, author of “One Meal a Day: The Simple, Plant-Based Program to Save Your Health, Save Your Waistline, and Save the Planet,” writes, “by switching one meat- or dairy-based meal a day, we can slash our personal water and carbon footprint by about 25 percent.” 

Not convinced? Let’s take a closer look at how animal agriculture fuels climate change:

Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. While these gases let sunlight pass through the atmosphere, they prevent the heat that the sunlight creates from escaping. Greenhouse gases are necessary because without them, the planet would be too cold and life would cease to exist. However, certain human activities are adding large quantities of these gases to the atmosphere, and as a result, are causing the Earth’s temperature to rise at an alarming rate.

According to a 2019 report published in The Lancet, food production is responsible for up to 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions. The biggest contributor is animal products, which accounts for about three-quarters of the greenhouse effects. Here are just a few ways food production, especially practices from the meat and dairy industries, impact the environment through the creation of greenhouse gases:

• Methane. Livestock production contributes to a large amount of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. The biggest offender? Cows, which contribute to over 60% of the sector’s emissions, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. More specifically, cows release methane—a greenhouse gas that’s nearly 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide—through their manure and “eruptions,” aka natural gases.
• Carbon Dioxide. Trees capture greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, and prevent them from accumulating in the Earth’s atmosphere. When trees are cut down to make way for agriculture production, they release stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These trees are then usually burned or left to rot, which releases even more emissions. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, cattle ranching is responsible for up to 80% of deforestation and the release of 340 million tons of carbon to the atmosphere every year.
• Nitrous Oxide. It’s not just the animals that create greenhouse gases either. Nitrogen fertilizer, which is used to grow food for the livestock, produces nitrous oxide. This type of greenhouse gas causes nearly 300 times more warming than CO2 and depletes the ozone layer.

Remember that 2019 report from The Lancet? It also found that “vegan and vegetarian diets were associated with the greatest reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions.” A similar journal titled Climate Change concluded that if every American switched from beef to beans, the United States could achieve 46-74% of the greenhouse gas reduction targets set in the Paris Agreement.

Vegan Foods Require Less Water

Not many people are aware of how much water it takes to produce their food. In general, plant-based foods require less water than animal foods. For example, a 2015 New York Times article states that it takes nearly 1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, 880 gallons for a single gallon of dairy milk, and 53 gallons for a single egg. To put that in perspective, it takes 486 gallons of water to produce one pound of beans and lentils and 84 gallons of water to produce almond milk.

Vegan Diets Reduce Water Pollution

Factory farms produce a large amount of waste and pollution in the form of manure, pesticides, fuel, and fertilizer. This waste often ends up entering rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, as well as drinking and groundwater, through runoff. 

Animal manure contains phosphorus and nitrogen, and once it gets into freshwater, it causes algae to grow. These algae “blooms” cut off the oxygen supply to underwater plants, a condition known as eutrophication, and leads to massive die-offs of marine life.

And then there’s fishing. The biggest source of plastic pollution in the oceans come from commercial fishing with an estimated 640,000 tons of fishing gear discarded every year, according to The Guardian. The results are deadly, killing hundreds of turtles and suffocating birds, small fish, and crustaceans.

Vegan Diets Require Less Land

Compared to fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy production requires a lot of land. Out of all of the habitable land on Earth, half (or 51 million kilometers) is used for agriculture, according to an article published by One Green Planet. And of the 51 million kilometers, 77% or 40 million kilometers is used for livestock. The remaining 23% is used for crops (minus the feed required to feed the livestock).

If everyone stopped eating meat and dairy, a University of Oxford study found that global farmland use could be reduced by 75%, which is an area equivalent to the size of the US, China, Australia, and the EU combined!

Visit Beyond Sushi in NYC

Now that you know why a vegan diet is better for the planet, visit us at Beyond Sushi in NYC! We’re best known for our innovative, plant-based offerings and globally-inspired menu that will leave a lasting impact on both your palette and the planet. Dine-in with us or order takeout or delivery today!

Order Now

There are a lot of details that go into planning an event, including the guest list, venue, decorations, music, and more. But the food you serve is by far the most important selection, and it can make or break any event. Whether you’re throwing a wedding reception, business meeting, or family reunion, here’s how to plan the perfect catering menu so your next event is a success.

If you’re searching for the best catering in NYC, Beyond Sushi is the perfect choice. We offer a variety of catering services, an extensive vegan menu, and a friendly staff that’s ready to serve you!

View Sample Menu  Get A Quote

Set Your Budget

Before you meet with your caterer, determine your budget for the event. You don’t have to know the exact number, but you should have a range in mind. This will help your caterer design a menu that’s not only delicious, but also affordable. If you’re not sure what your budget should be, your caterer should be able to give you a general idea on costs to help you create a catering menu that’s right for you and your event.

Know Your Guests and Their Preferences

If you want your event to be a culinary success, it’s important to know who’s on your guest list. Here are some questions to ask when coming up with your guest profile:

• What is the professional level of your guests?
• What is the age range of your guests?
• What types of food might your guests be expecting at your event?
• Where are your guests from/where do they live?

Once you know your guest profile, you can use that information to create a crowd-pleasing menu. Below are some guidelines to take into consideration when making food selections:

• Older guests may prefer mild menu options.
• Younger guests may be open to more adventurous foods.
• Health-conscious guests may prefer a menu with fresh and lighter options over a heavy meal or fried foods.

Choose Your Service Style

From sit-down meals to buffets to boxed meals, there are plenty of ways to serve your guests. Whatever you choose, you want to make sure both the service style and menu fit the event and work with your timeline. If your guests only have a limited time to eat, a full meal service that can take up to two hours probably doesn’t make sense. But if your event is more formal, providing a boxed meal probably won’t impress your guests.

Provide a Variety of Options

You may not be able to please everyone, but your menu should have a couple of different (and tasty!) options so no one leaves the event with an unsatisfied stomach. Here are some general guidelines to consider when planning your catering menu:

• Entrees: Offer two to three options.
• Salads: Provide three or more salad dressing options.
• Condiments: Serve on the side to accommodate guest preferences.
• Dessert: Provide two options. Ideally, select one indulgent dessert and one healthy dessert.

Accommodate Those with Dietary Restrictions and Allergies

Whether you’re planning a wedding reception, birthday party, or work event, you always need to ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions or food allergies. Some common allergies and dietary restrictions include:

• Nut allergy
• Soy allergy
• Lactose intolerance
• Gluten intolerances (Celiac)
• Religious requirements (Kosher) 
• Vegetarian
• Vegan

Knowing this information ensures that all of your guests will have something to eat. It’s also important for your caterer so they can prepare food that’s safe and avoids cross-contamination.

Take the Venue into Consideration

Not all venues are designed to serve every size party and every type of meal. Talk to your venue ahead of time to figure out how the food can be stored (especially food that needs to be chilled or refrigerated), where the food can be heated up, and how much space you need to serve guests. You can also ask the venue what they’ve done for past events. However, if you work with an experienced caterer, they should be able to tell you what kind of facilities they need to serve different menus.

Do you need an event space to host your gathering? Beyond Sushi has several modern, eco-friendly establishments across Manhattan that are perfect for private events. Learn More.

Work with a Dependable Caterer

If you want to feel confident about the food you’re serving, it’s important to work with a caterer that’s both professional and dependable. Here are some questions to ask when meeting with potential caterers:

• How long have they been in business?
• Do they specialize in certain types of food?
• Are they knowledgeable in dietary restrictions and food allergies?
• Are they fully insured?
• If you plan to serve alcohol, are they fully licensed to provide and serve alcoholic beverages?
• What’s included and what’s not included in their packages?
• Can they provide references from previous clients?
• When do they need to know the final guest count?

Cater Your Event with City Roots by Beyond Sushi!

Now that you know how to plan the perfect catering menu, get started today! Full-service catering from City Roots makes it easy for you to serve and enjoy amazing vegan cuisine at your event. With many delicious vegan options to choose from, assistance from our staff from start to finish, and great event spaces to enjoy your get-together, you’re sure to impress your guests when you work with us. Contact us to get a quote for your next event!

View Sample Menu  Get A Quote

Are you interested in going vegan, but worried that it will eat away at your bank account? If so, you’re not alone. But what many people don’t realize is that going vegan can be a real money-saver when done thoughtfully. In fact, research shows that not eating meat can actually save you up to $750 a year! So, if you want to enjoy these savings, this guide on how to eat vegan on a budget will introduce you to some easy, money-conscious strategies.

Enjoy your favorite vegan dishes at Beyond Sushi! On the menu, you’ll find globally-inspired dishes that will leave a lasting impact on both your palette and the planet. Order Now

Cook Your Own Vegan Meals

Vegan or not, dining out and ordering takeout can get expensive. The average American spends over $200 every month eating meals that weren’t prepared at home. That said, it’s not surprising that the best way to save money is to focus on making your own vegan meals.

One of the best ways to do this is to meal prep. When you prepare your meals for the week in advance, you’ll be less inclined to eat out. Whether you pay for a meal planning service or do all of the planning yourself, you’ll certainly save time and money.

That’s not to say you should never eat out. There are benefits to that too, like supporting your local vegan restaurants and businesses. Even if you cut the number of times you dine out or order takeout in half, you’ll still save a lot of money.

Keep It Simple

Vegan dishes don’t have to be filled with a variety of expensive ingredients to taste great. In fact, making your own vegan meals doesn’t have to be complicated at all. The simplest dishes such as a grain bowl or salad are often the most satisfying. These can be made with minimal ingredients and items you already have on hand, which is great for cutting back on spending. Remember, simple also doesn’t have to mean boring. You can always spice things up by adding different seasonings, sauces, or dressings to a meal.

Shop Around

Shopping at specialty, vegan-friendly stores may be convenient, but it’s not always the cheapest option. Most vegan-pantry staples like beans, grains, and produce can be found at any chain grocery store for a much more affordable value. You can also find fantastic food bargains at international markets. Many of their products—especially produce—tends to be less expensive than Western grocery store chains, and you’ll also find a lot more variety. Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons and shop around at a few different stores in search of the best deals.

Only Buy What You Need

As they say, failing to plan is planning to fail — and shopping for groceries is no exception. If you’re trying to eat vegan on a budget, only buy what you need to create your favorite dishes. The best way to do that is to create a detailed grocery list and stick to it.

If you recently transitioned to a vegan diet, you might be tempted to buy every vegan item you can spot. However, with some careful planning and research upfront, it’s easy to find meals you’re sure to love and purchase only the ingredients they require.

In addition, as a general rule, you should never shop when you’re hungry. Doing so can lead to a lot of impulse buys and a higher grocery bill.

Stick with Vegan Staples

One of the main reasons people believe it’s expensive to go vegan is because items like vegan butter, non-dairy cheese, non-dairy ice cream, and meat substitutes often come at a price. But these aren’t the only foods that make up a vegan diet.

Purchasing fresh produce that’s unprocessed is healthy, delicious, and very cost-effective. To save even more on produce, simply avoid buying pre-cut fruits and veggies that charge a price for convenience. Other vegan staples such as grains and beans are also extremely affordable. While specialty vegan items are nice to have on occasion, it may become expensive if they make up a large part of your diet.

Buy in Bulk

Buying foods like oats, grains, nuts, and seeds in bulk is usually less expensive than purchasing individual, pre-packaged foods. However, don’t assume that every bulk bin is always cheaper. To determine which product is less, look for the price per unit. This will tell you the exact cost per ounce or pound. In addition, you don’t have to limit yourself to the bulk products available in-store. There are plenty of websites that offer great deals on bulk food items and pantry staples.

Eat Seasonally

Eating fruits and vegetables when they’re in season has its benefits, especially for your wallet! Fresh produce is cheaper when it’s in season because it’s more abundant. Plus, seasonal produce tastes better and has more nutrients.

It’s also a smart idea to shop local! When you buy produce that’s grown locally, like from a farmer’s market or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), the travel and storage expenses are less, which reduces production costs.

Buy Frozen

Want to freeze your spending? Then consider buying frozen produce! Some people think that frozen produce isn’t as nutritional as fresh produce, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Fruits and vegetables are picked at peak ripeness, which is when they’re most nutritious. Once they’re harvested, they’re cleaned, cut, and frozen within a few hours, which preserves the nutrients.

In addition to having a near-identical nutritional profile to their fresh counterparts, frozen produce can save you time, because all the trimming, washing, and chopping is already done. Plus, the shelf life is much longer, so you’ll never have to worry about throwing away old produce that you never got around to eating, hence saving you money.

Visit Beyond Sushi in NYC

We hope this guide on how to eat vegan on a budget assists you! However, when you become tired of cooking at home, choose Beyond Sushi as your vegan restaurant of choice. We’re best known for our innovative, plant-based offerings and globally-inspired menu that will leave a lasting impact on both your palette and the planet. Dine in with us or order takeout or delivery today!

Order Now