Vegetarian for Life

VfL Publications

eBites Winter 2023

eBites Winter 2023

Published in December, 2023

Winter 2023 edition of Vegetarian for Life’s electronic magazine.

Primary Audience

This publication is aimed at older vegans and vegetarians and those who cater for them.

Vintage (issue 3)

Vintage (issue 3)

Published in November, 2023

Third 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.

Primary Audience

This publication is aimed at older vegans and vegetarians.

Good care for vegetarians and vegans

Good care for vegetarians and vegans

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.

Primary Audience

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.

Vegan Texture-Modified

Vegan Texture-Modified

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.

Primary Audience

The publication primarily provides advice for professional chefs and those catering for older people.

Lunch Club Catering for Older Vegans and Vegetarians

Lunch Club Catering for Older Vegans and Vegetarians

Published in May, 2022

Top tips and simple, tasty recipes for lunch club caterers.

Primary Audience

This publication is aimed at care caterers and those who may wish to introduce a lunch club to a social or communal setting.

Veganising Classic Dishes

Veganising Classic Dishes

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.

Primary Audience

The publication primarily provides advice for professional chefs and those catering for older people.

Food Fortification for Vegans

Food Fortification for Vegans

Published in October, 2021

A comprehensive guide showing how to use vegan, dairy-free alternatives to fortify food with calories and protein.

This colourful 24-page guide equips caterers with the knowledge they need to fortify foods for someone following a vegan or milk-free diet.

Packed with recipes, including light meals, mains, puddings, snacks and drinks, there are plenty of ideas and inspiration for fortifying dishes without dairy.

You’ll find the calories and protein calculated for each recipe; a table of protein-rich ingredients that can be used to fortify foods; and ideas for dairy-free fortification of snacks and drinks.

Chef Ollie Bragg who developed the recipes said: “Ensuring residents get enough calories and protein when appetite is low can be tricky. This can seem even more challenging when your go-to dairy fortification methods can’t be used. These delicious recipes will show you how to increase calories without compromising on taste.”

You can purchase a paper copy here, or by calling 0161 257 0887.

Primary Audience

The publication primarily provides advice for professional chefs and those catering for older people.

Veg*nism: More Than Just a Diet

Veg*nism: More Than Just a Diet

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.

Primary Audience

This publication is aimed at those caring for a vegan or vegetarian.

Nutrition Guidelines

Nutrition Guidelines

Published in September, 2020

Ideal for care home and hospital caterers, this BDA-endorsed publication answers frequently asked questions concerning older vegetarians and vegans, such as:

  • how to stimulate appetite or boost nutrient intake
  • good sources of protein for those on texture modified diets
  • a daily menu plan
  • suggested vegan fortification agents, finger foods, and even vegan options that may be suitable for lower-fibre diets

Published in September 2020 and updated here for 2023 to reflect the latest scientific evidence.

Protein, page 3, 'You don’t need to combine specific protein foods at each meal because your body can store amino acids until needed.

This sentence should now read: 'You don’t need to combine specific protein foods at each meal.’ 

Iodine, page 9, 'Therefore a supplement containing iodine is the most reliable source for vegans.

This sentence should now read: ’Therefore a supplement containing iodine may be the most reliable source for vegans.’ 

To purchase a hard copy of the guide, please click here.

For V for Life’s position statement on vegetarianism and veganism, please click here.

Primary Audience

  • Older vegans and vegetarians who would like to know more about nutrition.
  • Those catering for older adults, for example in care homes and hospitals.
Vegan Baking

Vegan Baking

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.

Primary Audience

The publication primarily provides advice for professional chefs and those catering for older people.

Veggie Meals to your Door

Veggie Meals to your Door

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.

Primary Audience

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 October 2022 - The following organisations are no longer offering the services listed in the publication: Easy Living; First Choice Catering Co.; Sodexo; New Norm; Ofishial Food.

Dietary Diversity in the Care Sector

Dietary Diversity in the Care Sector

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, please click here.

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.

Primary Audience

​This publication is designed to make it easier to cater for any service users who require a ‘free-from’ or ‘special’ diet’.

Festive Delights

Festive Delights

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.

Primary Audience

  • Existing vegans and vegetarians.
  • Meat-reducers.
  • Care caterers.
Take V

Take V

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.

Primary Audience

  • Existing vegans and vegetarians.
  • Meat-reducers.
  • Care caterers.​
Celebrate Burns Night and Valentine’s Day

Celebrate Burns Night and Valentine’s Day

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.

Primary Audience

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.

Vegan Rescue Pack

Vegan Rescue Pack

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.

Primary Audience

  • Chefs working in the care sector.
  • Community carers working in domiciliary care.
  • People looking after an older family member.
  • People who are keen to cater well for an increasingly diverse range of diets.
  • Individual older vegans.
Celebrate St David’s Day

Celebrate St David’s Day

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.

Primary Audience

​This booklet is aimed at anyone celebrating St David’s Day, the arrival of Spring, vegetarianism, and all things Welsh!
Cooking for One

Cooking for One

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.

Primary Audience

​This publication is aimed at older vegetarians and vegans or those who cater for them.

Easter Treats

Easter Treats

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.

Primary Audience

Older vegetarians and vegans and those who cater for them.
A Taste of South Asia

A Taste of South Asia

Published in October, 2014

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus in Britain and all over the world, and also by Jains and Sikhs. We are pleased to provide a few South Asian recipes to mark the occasion. We’ve given them a healthy twist so they can be enjoyed all year round.

Primary Audience

Recipe guide that offers vegetarians and vegans a delicious and healthy way to celebrate Diwali.
Catering Guide

Catering Guide

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.

Primary Audience

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.

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