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What would a typical vegan meal be?

There is so much flexibility and diversity with vegan eating that there really is no "typical" vegan meal. Often new vegans just replace their old animal-based foods with cruelty-free versions and analogs. Others explore the vast range of vegan ethnic cuisines and incorporate a variety of foods from different lands and cultures. Some vegans eat quite simply, centering meals around whole grains, beans, and vegetables, while others are attracted to gourmet dishes and exotic specialty foods. There are clusters of vegans who practice a fish-free macrobiotic diet, or a "living foods" (mostly raw) diet, or a fruitarian diet. And, of course, there are those who fluctuate among all of these approaches and maintain continual variety.

The beauty of vegan eating is that there are no rules and no need to follow the antiquated pattern of meat, potato, and vegetable. Hence, being vegan can open the door to a world of unlimited culinary possibilities. Many vegans claim they never ate so well or with so much pleasure prior to becoming vegan. With certain foods off limits, vegans tend to become more open and creative with their meal planning and more willing to try new foods. In essence, each meal becomes an adventure, an opportunity to experiment with unusual ingredients and seasonings, and a chance to test out innovative ideas. A vegan meal can be as plebeian as a hearty soup with crusty rolls or as sophisticated as delicate pastries stuffed with imported mushrooms and savory smoked tofu.

All vegans have a different tale to tell about their favorite styles of eating, and the potential combinations are endless as well as exciting. There is no particular standard. The "typical" vegan meal begins and blossoms in each cook's imagination.