Published in December, 2024
Fourth edition of VfL’s magazine exclusively for older vegans and vegetarians.
Preview only. For a paper copy of the magazine, please visit our online shop.
This publication is aimed at older vegans and vegetarians.
Published in December, 2024
Winter 2024 edition of Vegetarian for Life’s electronic magazine.
This publication is aimed at older vegans and vegetarians and those who cater for them.
Published in October, 2024
Vegan recipes and presentation techniques for chefs looking to enhance care home menus. From flavourful plant-based entrées to indulgent desserts, you'll find practical ways to meet your residents’ dietary needs and preferences.
You can purchase a copy here, or by calling 0161 257 0887.
The publication primarily provides advice for professional chefs and those catering for older people.
Published in May, 2024
This vegan and vegetarian care home menu book was created to assist people in the care sector to communicate with their residents. The book is designed to help residents to express their menu preferences if communication is a challenge.
By being able to point at dishes, residents can make clear choices about their meal selection and have more control over what they are eating.
You can purchase a copy here, or by calling 0161 257 0887.
This menu book has been created to assist people within the care sector with communication challenges.
Published in April, 2024
These menu cards are designed to be used to aid and encourage residents to prepare their own snacks with staff support, to help promote choice and independence.
You can purchase a copy here, or by calling 0161 257 0887
The cards are designed for care home residents with support from staff.
Published in October, 2023
Vegetarian for Life and the Care Inspectorate have collaborated to produce guidance on good care for vegans and vegetarians.
The Health and Social Care Standards set out what people should expect when using health, social care or social work services in Scotland. The standards have been developed to make these services better for everyone so that every person is treated with respect and dignity, and their human rights are upheld.
For a physical copy of the guidance, please visit our online shop.
The guidance in Good care for vegetarians and vegans will be useful for inspectors to inform an inspection and for care services looking for best practice points.
Published in December, 2022
A collection of vegan and vegetarian recipes, perfect for vegans, vegetarians or those with egg or milk allergies, who need a texture-modified diet.
You can purchase a paper copy here, or by calling 0161 257 0887.
The publication primarily provides advice for professional chefs and those catering for older people.
Published in May, 2022
Top tips and simple, tasty recipes for lunch club caterers.
This publication is aimed at care caterers and those who may wish to introduce a lunch club to a social or communal setting.
Published in January, 2022
Catering for vegans and vegetarians (veg*ns) needn’t be difficult. You don’t need to serve completely different dishes. This guide contains recipes for 14 classic, traditional dishes, which can be made vegan with a few simple swaps. You'll also find useful tips and shortcuts, such as how best to cater for veg*ns when preparing a Sunday lunch or a BBQ.
You can purchase a paper copy here, or by calling 0161 257 0887.
The publication primarily provides advice for professional chefs and those catering for older people.
Published in October, 2021
This guide shows how to use vegan, dairy-free alternatives to add calories and protein to meals.
It includes a variety of light meals, mains, puddings, snacks, and drinks, with calories and protein counts for each recipe. You’ll also find a table of protein-rich ingredients and tips for fortifying snacks and drinks.
Chef Ollie Bragg says: “These recipes help boost calories without compromising on taste, even when dairy isn’t an option.”
You can purchase a paper copy here, or by calling 0161 257 0887.
The publication primarily provides advice for professional chefs and those catering for older people.
Published in May, 2021
This guide will help you identify hidden animal products and explain more about what to consider when shopping and caring for a veg*n, ensuring that you can provide exceptional person-centred care at all times.
This publication is aimed at those caring for a vegan or vegetarian.
Published in May, 2020
Discover how to create a range of tasty vegan bakes – from light, airy sponges, to traditional puddings, and eggless meringue.
To purchase a hard copy of the guide, please click here.
The publication primarily provides advice for professional chefs and those catering for older people.
Published in November, 2019
Having ready meals delivered directly to your home has become an increasingly popular choice for many people across the UK – particularly those who are more frail. Veggie Meals to your Door shows it’s possible to enjoy the convenience of these meals without having to compromise your vegetarian or vegan principles.
An estimated 350,000 older people in the UK are vegetarian or vegan. While most of these are in glowing health and still cook for themselves, others may be more vulnerable. Vegetarian for Life’s 2019 survey suggests that around 7,000 older vegetarians and vegans live in care homes. Others rely on community meals services, such as ‘meals on wheels’, as a lifeline to living independently.
The versatility and convenience of the meals featured in this guide will also appeal to individuals who don’t need support with meals. Available either chilled, frozen or even freeze-dried they easily can match your lifestyle – less waste and less strain on your budget!
Update July 2023 - The following organisations are no longer offering the services listed in the publication: Easy Living; First Choice Catering Co.; Sodexo; New Norm; Ofishial Food. The following companies have amended contact information: Gourmet Meal Care - 01384 76995.
Published in May, 2019
A guide to catering for people with allergies, intolerances, and religious, philosophical and cultural dietary beliefs.
To purchase a hard copy of the guide, https://vegetarianforlife.org.uk/shop/publications.
We can also provide half-day equality, diversity and inclusivity training in-house for your care setting. The training covers in more detail what a ‘special’ diet is, the 14 allergens, the law around protected beliefs, where to find alternative products such as gluten- and dairy-free and a practical cookery demonstration using some of our favourite ‘free-from’ products. To find out more, please contact us.
This publication is designed to make it easier to cater for any service users who require a free-from or special diet.
Published in December, 2018
Our brand new Festive Delights recipe guide has nine delicious festive-friendly recipes to choose from, including a warming carrot, ginger and orange soup, angelic mince pies that everyone will love, and a Snickers pie. We have also included some great tips on how to prepare vegan- and vegetarian-friendly dishes.
Published in May, 2017
The recipes in Take V were specially created by Vegetarian for Life’s Roving Chefs, Maggie and Ollie. With only five ingredients they’re low-cost, quick, and easy-to-make – without lacking flavour or nutrition.
Published in January, 2017
As a commemoration of the life of the poet Robert Burns and his contribution to Scottish culture, Burns Night is celebrated annually around the world. Why not make this Burns night on 25 January a memorable one, by cooking our Haggis Wellington? And the perfect end to a rousing evening just has to be a baked raspberry cheesecake. We suspect that you’ll be tempted to make this all year round!
Shortly after Burns Night, love is in the air, with Valentine’s Day on 14 February. We have the perfect meal to mark the romance and sweetness of the day; rounded off with a luxurious Valentine’s Day beetroot chocolate cake.
This booklet is aimed at anyone celebrating Burns Night or Valentine's Day. For many older people in a care setting, such occasions can help rekindle warm and comforting memories from their younger years. Additionally, they can help people to build warm memories of their new home and friends.
Published in September, 2016
If you are about to begin catering for an older vegan person you might be feeling slightly apprehensive and have many questions running through your mind. We have put together this Vegan Rescue Pack to support you. We’re sure that in no time at all you will feel confident and become a happy vegan cook!
You can purchase a paper copy here, or by calling 0161 257 0887.
Published in March, 2016
The first of March is the feast day of St David, the patron saint of Wales. In Wales and all over the world, Welsh men and women gather together and celebrate St David and all things Welsh through concerts, dinner and processions. Historic tales suggest that St David was a vegetarian who ate only bread, herbs and vegetables and who just drank water. For this reason he is known as the patron saint of vegetarians and vegans! So, to help you celebrate St David’s Day and the early days of Spring we’ve put together some delicious heart-warming vegetarian recipes.
Published in October, 2015
Cooking for one is often the reality for many older people. So we have developed this recipe booklet especially for senior vegetarians and vegans who cook for themselves. Most of these ‘no-fuss’ recipes are easy to make. As well as recipes, we’ve included a sample menu planner, and a section on ingredients that might be unfamiliar to some readers. There’s also a refresher on nutrition, a guide to useful equipment, and some useful resources, including details of our grants scheme.
This publication is aimed at older vegetarians and vegans or those who cater for them.
Published in March, 2015
All around the world Easter is celebrated as a time of new life and fresh beginnings. We hope that we have captured this feeling of optimism with some delicious and refreshing recipes to help all of your residents celebrate Easter and the arrival of Spring.
Published in May, 2014
32-page practical guide for care homes, retirement schemes, and others catering for older people. Outlines why anyone becomes vegetarian or vegan and contains catering tips for busy cooks and a 4-week menu planner.
The publication primarily provides advice for those catering for older people. It includes an introduction by Rose Elliot, our patron, lots of practical advice, recipe ideas, a menu planner and a section on health and nutrition.
