When I first tried eating vegetarian more than 10 years ago, appropriate foods were very hard to find. In the small Southern town where I lived, there were not much offerings for meat substitutes, for example, and nothing for dairy alternatives. Thankfully today, many large supermarkets understand the wants and needs of many of their patrons and offer more brands for vegetarians, allergy-sufferers, diabetics, and those just wishing to be more health conscious.

Meat Substitutes

The most obvious place on the plate that seems “missing” with vegetarians is the (formerly meat-based) entrée. Today, the freezer section is filled with burger, ground beef, hot dog, and chicken substitutes.

Morningstar Farms was probably the first company to go mainstream and nationwide with its wide variety of meat substitutes. The burgers alone now come in 11 different flavors from classic flavor to black bean or mushroom styles. One of my favorites is the “Griller,” a ¼ pound soy version that is a little bigger and has a grilled taste. There is also a Vegan Griller that does not contain egg or milk (the original version contains both). The Chik’n products by Morningstar Farms area also excellent. They come in nuggets or patties, breaded or grilled flavors. They even have “Buffalo Veggie Wings.”

Boca Foods is another company that has offered products for many years to vegetarians. Their products are even offered in some chain restaurants as a substitute for a traditional burger patty. Boca Burger is one of those names like “Kleenex,” where almost everyone knows what you are talking about, but the company also offers chik’n, breakfast foods and frozen entrees. The Original Vegan Burger and the Spicy Chik’n Patty are two of my personal favorites.

A little harder to find, but oh-so-worth-it, is Gardein garden protein products. Both the classic style buffalo wings and the seven grain crispy tenders are delicious and contain no trans fat. In the freezer section, the company also offers homestyle beefless tips and marinara chick’n good stuff.

Breakfast Substitutes

At first glance, a meat-free, egg-free, dairy free breakfast seems hard to accomplish without becoming a slave to oatmeal or cereal with soy milk.

Morningstar Farms comes through again with veggie sausage links and patties and “bacon strips.” I like the pretend-sausage better than the bacon, particularly the veggie sausage links. Boca also makes a maple sausage-style link.

I first discovered Van’s Waffles because my daughter is allergic to eggs. There are 14 different varieties, including Belgian multigrain, blueberry, and a selection of gluten free versions. Van’s All Natural Foods also offers a dairy-and-egg-free French Toast, which also happen to be wheat free. Earth’s Best also offers fun egg-free mini waffles for kids in original and blueberry flavors.

Dairy Substitutes

Liquid milk products are now very widespread in supermarkets across the country, but when it comes to other milk-based product substitutes, alternatives are a little more difficult to find.

I just can’t say enough about Tofutti, which has given me back my nighttime ice cream indulgence. The nondairy frozen dessert comes in eight flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate Supreme, Wildberry Supreme, Vanilla Almond Bark, Vanilla Fudge, Chocolate Cookie Crunch, and (my personal favorite) Better Pecan. They are not low-calorie, but make for a delicious treat. The company also makes “Cuties,” which are dairy-free dessert sandwiches. For those looking for sour cream or cream cheese substitutes, they have that too!

So Delicious also makes nondairy “ice cream” sandwiches which taste amazingly like the real thing. The company also offers a really good coffee creamer alternative made from coconut milk and two versions of dairy free yogurt – one made with coconut milk and the other with soy.

Many of these products are more expensive than the “real thing”, and most are not geared toward being low-calorie for the person who desires weight loss. But they make vegetarian living so much more delicious!

This is a part of my ongoing series, 10 Minute Vegetarian. I’m busy, you’re busy. We want to be healthy, but we don’t have a lot of time. In the 10 minutes it takes you to read this article, you can learn something about the health benefits of the vegetarian diet and how to implement it in your own hectic schedule.