Benefits Of Raising Kids The Vegetarian/Vegan Way In The Greater Toronto Area

Vegetarianism is fast becoming an option for many families across Toronto, Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada and the world. While going vegetarian or vegan is a healthy proposition, many parents have concerns on the health implications over the physical and mental implications of a non-meat diet composed of vegetables,  veggie burger or veggie pizza for growing children. If you too are one such doubting Thomas, here’s the low-down on the benefits of introducing your children to the pleasures and benefits of Indian street food whose mainstay are vegetarian foods and vegan diets.

To begin this month’s article, it has been seen that consuming a vegetarian or vegan diet gives substantial health advantages to kids in comparison to those raised on a typical meat-rich diet. Exposing your growing children to these benefits will give them a head start in the healthy lifestyle stakes. Vegetarian diets are rich in fiber, short on saturated fat, brimming with essential minerals and vitamins. They are also bursting with plant protein and thus absolutely cholesterol-free.

Thanks to the abundance of processed meat-based foods, teenage obesity has become a fact of life today. Adolescents brought up as vegetarians, are seen to be effortlessly maintaining their BMIs. They also suffer less from typical teenage problems such as acne and gastro problems associated with meat-based foods. Coming to the specifics, lower incidence of life-threatening disease such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer, is seen in vegetarians than in meat-eaters.

Advantages of growing up vegetarian and vegan

By switching over to a vegetarian diet, your children automatically get the benefits associated with high-fiber foods. Expect your children to have better digestion and a higher metabolic rate. Their bodies are also better positioned to expel toxins and wastes produced during the metabolic processes. On a vegetarian diet, your kids will also maintain healthy fluid levels in their bodies. With a vegetarian diet, you can also expect your children’s eyes to be healthier and their eyesight sharper.  The net result is a healthy body that excels in getting the best out of life.

Nutrition apart, fatty acids are low in vegetarian food making it easier to absorb. This in turn contributes to maintaining a stable flow of blood sugar in the body – keeping diabetes at arms-length. Consumers of non-vegetarian fast foods are observed to have blood sugar levels that fluctuate erratically the moment they finish eating any meat-based fast food. It goes without saying that vegetarian fast foods that your friendly neighborhood Veggie Planet Indian street food restaurant in Mississauga, Brampton and the GTA dishes up, are a good option to head out to whenever your kids crave a quick bite.

It’s not just the body but also your child’s mind that benefits from going vegetarian early in life. Studies have shown that people who are vegetarians or vegans perform better on mood profile and depression tests. Further, the organic cultivation of vegetables is further adding to the health benefits that your children will enjoy when they adopt a vegetarian diet. All these factors are responsible for developing a positive outlook in your child towards life in general.

Summing up, since they are a storehouse of plant and grain-based ingredients, vegetarian fast foods are good for growing children because they get their supply of essential vitamins like C, E, and folic acid. And then, since vegetarian fast foods are high on magnesium, phytochemicals and unsaturated fats, your children will have lower cholesterol levels of cholesterol and consequently their blood pressure levels are also at the proper levels.

Introducing your kids to vegetarian In Mississauga, Brampton and the GTA

The first problem that parents face while introducing their kids to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle is the taste factor. It’s best to understand that taste is an acquired sensibility and with time and constant exposure, our taste buds learn to like the food they come across. But kids being kids, you will have to put on your innovative cap to come up with attractive recipes that are vegetarian but high on taste factor.

For example, oat waffles topped with maple syrup or fruit are a good breakfast option for budding vegan kids. Similarly, a lentil loaf lunch would have your kids literally begging you for seconds. What’s more, it is dripping with proteins and fiber, which are very essential for health and wellness. Similarly, hummus is a great option to introduce your kids to the benefits of vegetarian food. Kawa Nuggets and Kawa Drumstick serve at Veggie Planet are a tasty yet healthy option that you can explore along with your children. As you will see moving forward that your kids will gradually get used to vegetarian dishes and actually begin to prefer them when the health benefits begin to show up.

 

As a parent bringing up your kids the vegan way, you must expect and prepare your children to face many a social challenge too. This is because meat-eating families are still the norm rather than the exception. Especially when they are attending birthday parties and get-togethers where non-vegetarian food is on the menu, it makes sense to call up the hosts in advance and appraise them of your child’s preferences. It will give the hosts sufficient time to include veggie options such as veggie burgers, tofu crackers, vegan cakes, Naanza and Indian drinks such as jal-jeera. Better still, there are specialty vegetarian fast food outlets such as Veggie Planet in Mississauga where your kids can tuck into the Planet Special Poutine, to their hearts’ content.

Another area where your kids are likely to face challenges are during the lunch break at the school cafeteria. Get together with other parents in the locality, who share similar concerns, and try to persuade the school authorities on including a couple of vegetarian and vegan options in the menu.

Talking about Indian vegetarian fast food restaurants, the good thing about them is that they have successfully reinvented themselves for a global clientele. Your kids don’t have to forego taste for the sake of a healthy lifestyle. If you live in Mississauga, Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area, or passing through with your kids, step in for a quick bite of heavenly Naanza at Veggie Planet!

Veggie Planet offers convenient online ordering via website (https://veggieplanet.ca) and flexible delivery options, including delivery within a 15-kilometer radius available in Mississauga and Greater Toronto Area.

For in-restaurant pickups, Veggie Planet is located at 6985 Davand Dr Unit #1, Mississauga, ON L5T 1Y7 and can be reached at (905) 795-7950 for all vegetarian and vegan restaurant menu items.

Myths And Truths About Vegetarian Fast Foods, And Then Some More..

Veggie Planet Indian Street Food Mississauga and Brampton 6

The debate over food choices is an old one. With the growing interest and curiosity about vegetarian food, especially Indian food in recent times, votaries of non-vegetarian foods are coming up with theories that show vegetarian food in bad light. For example, it is commonly believed that vegetarian food is adequate for physically active people. How much truth do such assumptions hold? Let’s do a reality check on some of the most common allegations tossed at vegetarian food. Later on, we’ll also find out how to enjoy Indian street food in Brampton, Mississauga, Etobicoke and Greater Toronto Area even as we beat the health concerns associated with them.

 

Myth 1: Vegetarian Food Is Low On Protein.

Truth 1: Gone are the days when animal-protein was considered superior and essential for our health and physical development. Research has proved that plant-based food has sufficient protein for human requirements. Instead of eggs, you can try out protein-rich vegetarian food sources such as beans, lentils, tofu, cereals and whole-grain breads. What’s more, all these foods are ideal accompaniments in a variety of Indian vegetarian fast food recipes such as Kawa Nuggets and Kawa Drumstick that are tasty and exciting to try out.

 

Myth 2: Vegetarians Suffer From Iron Deficiency.

Truth 2: Yet another myth perpetuated about vegetarian foods, which has been shattered in recent times. Iron deficiency is a condition that is caused by a number of factors and can afflict vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. In fact, some vegetarian foods like beans, tofu and spinach are super-rich sources of iron. So, bite into your veggie burger in Brampton or Mississauga and stop worrying about iron deficiency.

 

Myth 3: Vegetarian Food Is Low On Energy.

Truth 3: A doubt that plays on the minds of athletes, sports persons and bodybuilders. Many famous sports personalities are endorsing the benefits of vegetarian foods today. In fact, they prefer vegan / vegetarian food because it is clean and does not pollute the internal workings of our body. A vegetarian diet is rich in protein, vitamins and vital minerals, and more than adequate for most high-energy sporting activities. So, don’t worry unduly if someone tells you that your vegetarian diet is insufficient to meet your energy requirements.

 

Myth 4: Vegetarian Food Is Not Pocket-Friendly.

Truth 4: Well, sorry to disappoint you but vegetarian food is actually more wallet-friendly than non-vegetarian dishes in Greater Toronto Area. Just check the menu at your local fast food joint and the truth will hit you in the face. In fact, you can buy and eat more veggie pizza for the price that you would normally pay for a meat or chicken dish. The best part is that while you can buy more of vegetarian fare for the amount that you pay for meat-dishes, you will not end up heavier!

 

Myth 5: Vegetarian Food Keeps You Hungry.

Truth 5: Research shows that vegetarian food stays comparatively longer in the human gut and also keeps it fuller. Vegetarian food also helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body, which in turn keeps hunger cravings at bay for longer. Actually, many of us confuse a lighter tummy with hunger. Vegetarian food is actually filling and stays longer in the food canal but since it is lighter than non-vegetarian food, some people tend to interpret it is hunger pangs. And there lies the truth behind this myth.

 

Myth 6: Vegetarian Food Offers Less Options.

Truth 6: Vegetarian foods are suitable for all kinds of cuisines. So whether it’s Mediterranean or Indian, you’ll discover that every country has a delectable range of vegetarian dishes that are tasty, filling, nutritious and pocket-friendly. Check out the planet special poutine and Naanza whenever you’re in Mississauga area.


Talking of health benefits that vegetarian foods bring to the table, let’s look at the unique features of Indian vegetarian fast foods:

The raita is a yogurt-based dip that is a common accompaniment to most Indian fast foods. Comprising basically of cucumber and mint, raita is a rich in calcium. It takes on the role of mayonnaise in western cuisine. Raita is available in different combinations and can give a unique taste to the food you relish in your favorite Indian vegetarian fast food restaurant.

Similarly, the sauces and chutneys used in Indian cuisine are mostly vegetarian in nature. Coupled with this are a variety of Indian drinks to choose from. You can choose form chaas, a flavored buttermilk that comforts the stomach after a delicious and heavy meal. You can also sip a cool glass of kaalajamoon juice that doubles up as a tonic for the digestive system.

Moreover, Indian street foods are low on saturated fats and high on fiber content, making them very health-friendly. If you’re fat-conscious, tandoori-based dishes are a good option as they are baked and not fried. All these qualities make Indian vegetarian foods a great idea to spend time over.

Finally, let us examine the precautions you may need to keep in mind when ordering Indian food. Play safe and stick to tomato-based curries or other vegetables. If you’re a bit too health-conscious, you can always ask the chef to go easy on the ghee or substitute vegetable oil.Brampton or Mississauga, you know that you can enjoy the best of Indian street food without worrying about hygiene and price.

We can clearly see that vegan / vegetarian food is in no way inferior to meat-based foods. In fact, Indian restaurants like Veggie Planet have taken Indian street foods to the next level. The next time you step out for a good time, remember the host of options and experiences that await you in the form of vegetarian food, especially Indian fast foods. Especially for folks staying in and around Brampton and Mississauga, the choices are many and you can either book a place for intimate get-together with family and friends. You could even schedule business lunch or a brunch comprising Indian vegetarian foods.

Veggie Planet offers convenient online ordering via website https://veggieplanet.ca and flexible delivery options, including delivery within a 15-kilometer radius available in Mississauga and Greater Toronto Area.

For in-restaurant pickups, Veggie Planet is located at 6985 DavandDr Unit #1, Mississauga, ON L5T 1Y7 and can be reached at (905) 795-7950 for all vegetarian and vegan restaurant menu items.

A Beginner’s Guide to Selecting the Best Indian Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants Food Menu in Mississauga, Brampton And Greater Toronto Area

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Indian cuisine is as diverse as the topography, climate and cultures that the vast subcontinental landscape encompasses. Indeed, we can consider Indian cuisine as a composite of many sub-cuisine cultures. From north to south and east to west, the food preferences and styles change as we shift location across India. But despite these apparent variations, there are a few commonalities that are evident in any Indian restaurant you may visit across world. For example, the fragrant spices, different varieties of breads, exotic sauces are all used creatively to conjure up a variety of dishes and Indian street food that appeal to vegetarian and vegan food lovers across the globe.

For Indians travelling abroad, and the vast Indian diaspora too, vegetarian restaurants are a necessity as it becomes difficult for them to stick to exclusively vegetarian fare amidst the largely meat-consuming countries like Canada. Fortunately for them, the mushrooming population of Indian restaurants serving up delectable vegetarian dishes, are literally a breath of fresh air. In fact, these restaurants are a haven for vegan foodies too. Indian restaurants like Veggie Planet In Mississauga, Ontario, Canada have shown that plant and dairy-based foods can be tasty, filling and enjoyable to eat. But along with taste, most vegetarian and vegan converts are concerned about the ingredients that make up Indian foods and street foods. It makes sense to know what you’re getting into, when you place your order for Indian street food such as a veggie burger or a samosa. Mississauga, incidentally, is home to some the best vegan restaurants in GTA.

 

Get Set For The Ghee Experience!

Indian food is famous for the generous use of ghee in most recipes. Apart from acquiring the unique flavor, food cooked in ghee doesn’t spoil fast too. In layman’s terms, ghee is nothing but clarified butter. Butter when heated to a simmer over a medium-low flame, slowly loses the water content. When the butter is totally clarified in this manner, you end up with ghee. While vegetarians relish ghee-cooked food, if you’re a vegan, you may want to avoid it. So, when you walk into one of the finer vegan restaurants, Mississauga is home to, and place an order there, check if ghee is used in the preparation. You can always ask the chef to substitute the ghee with a vegetable oil like peanut or sunflower oil.

Naan The Less!

Indian restaurants are famous for the choice of naans that they serve to patrons. For beginners, naan is a leavened bread that’s cooked in a tandoor stove. Some variants of naan use milk or yogurt instead of water while making the dough. So, check if the dough has dairy or water. If you’re wondering about vegan food near me, you can opt for unleavened whole wheat bread options such as roti. You could even order puri, a whole-wheat bread that is deep fried in oil.


Indian Foods That Are Vegan-Friendly

 

When it comes to appetizers, there are an entire range of vegan-friendly Indian food, Mississauga restaurants offer, such as samosas and pakoras. You also have a choice of onion, okra, cauliflower, aubergine fritters that are a spicy treat for the palate at the best Indian restaurant Mississauga is proud of.

The breads section of the menu in an Indian restaurant comprises of rotis, puris, parathas, and chapatis. While all these breads are made of wheat, sometimes they can be layered with a coating of butter or ghee. It therefore becomes important for vegan guests to be informed accordingly. Similarly, when it comes to the sauces, there are yogurt-based ones such as raita that Vegans must keep away from!

The entrées and side dishes in Indian menus usually comprise of saag- leafy greens, aloo – potato, chana – chickpeas, and dal – lentils. All these dishes are usually cooked in vegetable oils and can safely be relished by vegetarians and vegans alike. One of the major ingredients in Indian foods is paneer – cottage cheese. If you’re having vegan friends joining you for dinner, alert them to stay away from the dishes containing paneer or butter.

Indian Foods Are Antioxidant Rich

Indian cuisine is rooted in its rich use of local spices that are strong on flavor, aroma, antibacterial properties and rich in antioxidants. All this makes it the best vegetarian food in Mississauga too.

A hallmark ingredient in Indian recipes such as methi gobi, ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory properties and has the ability to fight stomach ailments.  Similarly, turmeric is a unique ingredient that imparts an yellow hue to Indian dishes. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Cinnamon is yet another spice that brims with antifungal, antibacterial properties.)

 

Protein-Rich Indian Foods

If you’re conscious about your protein intake, it makes sense to keep track of the dishes that are rich in protein. Typically, dishes that have dal – lentils, chana – chickpeas, rajma – kidney beans are rich in protein. Just one cup of dal contains as many as 18 grams of protein while a cup of rajma contains 15 grams of protein. The nutrients in rajma also protect us against coronary disease.

 

How To Enjoy Indian Food Without The Fat Threat

While it may be true that Indian food is rich in fats and can land you in weight troubles, there are ways to go around these hurdles.  Cut down on the fried and deep-fried savories such as pakoras and samosas. Similarly, puris are also deep-fried and you need to keep count of the numbers you consume while gorging upon this delicacy. The dollops of coconut milk used for imparting the unique flavor to some Indian dishes, also add weight to your waistline. So let moderation be the watchword while consuming such dishes.

The best part about Indian food is the tandoori cooking. The tandoor is an Indian clay oven in which the food is marinated and cooked. So, there’s practically no oil used in the preparation of food cooked in a tandoor. It means no fat accumulating in your body!

Remember, whether its vegan restaurants in Mississauga or vegetarian restaurants Brampton, you can have your fill of tasty, healthy food at Veggie Planet without worrying about adding unnecessary body weight.

Veggie planet offers convenient online ordering via website (https://veggieplanet.com) and flexible delivery options, including delivery within a 15-kilometer radius available in Mississauga and GTA.

For in restaurant pickups, Veggie Planet is located at 6985 Davand Dr Unit #1, Mississauga, ON L5T 1Y7 and can be reached at (905) 795-7950 for all vegetarian and vegan restaurant menu items.

 

Veggie Planet Indian Street Food And Vegetarian Options For Mississauga, Brampton And Greater Toronto Area Residents

Veggie Planet featured menu

There used to be time, not long back, when non-resident Indians (NRIs) would eagerly look forward to their next India visit, just so they could savor their favorite Indian street foods. Gulping down Paani Puris by the dozen or gobbling away plates of tasty Pav Bhaaji on Mumbai’s Chowpatty beach, was a dream to die for many Indian Canadians in Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto.

Today, it’s a different scene altogether as many a small family-run Indian restaurant dots the topography across Greater Toronto Area. Apart from catering to the taste buds of home-sick Indians, Indian restaurants like Veggie Planet are dishing out fusion food combinations that are tasty, healthy and conform to strict vegetarian beliefs of its customers in Mississauga.

Today in Mississauga, Brampton and other cities in Ontario, vegetarianism is taking grip and veganism is fast becoming a way of life. So, in addition to tasty food, people are now specifically looking for vegan restaurants like Veggie Plant that experiment with ingredients and styles to dish out dishes that are tasty, trendy and stick to pure vegetarian ingredients.

For the classic vegetarian dining experience in Mississauga, Veggie Planet of the best of the best to its customers. When you visit Veggie Planet current location in Mississauga Ontario, you’ll instantly be transported to a fascinating world where you’ll be lost for choice between Indian street food, Veggie Burger, Veggie Pizza, Planet Special Poutine, Naanza, Kawa Nuggets and Kawa Drumstick and host of Indian Drinks made the traditional way, and fusion food with a desi touch, you’ll find them here in a range of options – vegetarian, Jain, Swaminarayan and vegan.

The best part about modern Indian vegetarian restaurants in Mississauga and Brampton is their willingness to experiment with recipes and fine-tune them so that they appeal to contemporary tastes but retain their authentic traits. That’s why, at Veggie Planet, you shouldn’t be surprised if you find the menu displays pizzas with typically Indian toppings like Pav Bhaaji or Chaat or even Paneer.

There’s more waiting to thrill your taste buds. For instance, you can order a veggie burger, samosa burger, kawa burger or even noodles burger! And if it’s liquid pleasure that your taste buds hunger for, you can try out faloodas or mango shakes. What better way to end a satisfying meal at veggie planet, than Paan Kulfi or a Malai Kulfi? Or perhaps, you prefer to sip a Masala Soda or Chaas, the traditional Indian Butter Milk drink.

The world and Greater Toronto Area residents are slowly but steadily waking up to the health benefits of vegetarian food. Less cholesterol formation, lower risk of diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are just some of the benefits of opting for a pure vegetarian diet. Indian food with its inherent stress on pure vegetarian ingredients, is a tasty but healthy option for today’s food lovers. Be it a veggie burger or pizza, Mississauga residents know where to head to, when hunger pangs strike. Apart from tasty vegetarian food and comfort foods, the key takeaway from Indian vegetarian restaurants is the opportunity for people to spend quality time with family and friends.

Going a step beyond vegetarianism, the concept of Veganism is capturing the imagination of food lovers too in Brampton, Mississauga and Ontario. And Indian restaurant owners are losing no time in dishing out recipes to lure this new breed of food lovers.

At veggie planet, the menu has sufficient options for new Vegans as well as die-hard Jain and Swaminarayan food options that do not include even garlic and onion! So, you now know where to head for answers if the question on your mind is, ‘what are the great vegan restaurants near me?’ Thanks to the profusion of vegan restaurants, Mississauga and Brampton is a popular hangout for people who relish taste but are concerned about the vegan quality of their food. When you choose a vegan dish at Veggie Planet, you can be sure that it’s completely free of milk, dairy products and similar animal products. Here, a vegan food item is truly vegan, not vegetarian.

For people staying in and around Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto and wondering, ‘where will I find Indian food near me?’, all you need to do is find your way to Veggie Planet, the top-rated vegetarian restaurant boasts of as its own homegrown enterprise. In fact, it is also famous for contemporary western foods with a vegetarian twist. Be it a Veggie Burger or a pizza, Mississauga vegetarian food aficionados know where to find it. The best part is that these vegetarian restaurants are a labor of love for food enthusiasts who quit lucrative professions in other fields, to set up their vegetarian restaurants. The passion and commitment to creating food that is unique in taste is clearly visible when one scans through the menu options at Veggie Planet.

Thanks to the profusion of aromatic spices used in the food they conjure up, you can literally smell an Indian restaurant Mississauga from afar. Open during business hours, six days a week, veggie planet prefers to keep its doors open on Sundays for patrons. Instead, Monday is a holiday. So, you know where to brunch or gorge upon pure vegetarian and vegan Indian delicacies in Mississauga! What’s more, distance is no longer a problem for food lovers Brampton, Toronto and GTA.

With convenient online ordering via website and flexible delivery options, including delivery within a 15-kilometer radius available, getting your choice of vegan food is not a problem at all. In fact, when it comes to choosing vegan restaurants or an Indian restaurant, Brampton residents also make a beeline for Veggie Planet.

So, the next time you feel like giving yourself a treat, think Indian restaurant, think vegetarian restaurant, think Indian street food, think vegan, Veggie Burger, Veggie Pizza and Indian Drinks, remember that you only have Veggie Planet – where authentic Indian taste couples with contemporary expectations – to deliver drool-worthy dishes – a mélange of hot and spice, sweet and sour. But most importantly, giving top priority to your vegetarian sensitivities and preferences in GTA. With such tantalizing food options available at your doorstep in Mississauga, it really doesn’t matter whether one is resident in India or Canada! Veggie Planet is location at 6985 Davand Dr Unit #1, Mississauga, ON L5T 1Y7 and can be reached at (905) 795-7950 or Website veggieplanet.ca.