For years, Bragg’s plant-based essentials have helped drive my mindful eating practices. When the opportunity presented itself to join their Scientific Advisory Board it was an incredible, full circle moment for me! Not only have I shared their product offerings far and wide across my recipe content and consultations, but I have truly integrated the brand into my daily life for almost a decade. I speak often about the important role that food plays beyond impacting our physical bodies at a cellular level. Incorporating delicious, flavorful components to your meals is a huge step towards living a happier, healthier life and Bragg has been a huge part of this journey for me.
My Mindful Nutrition Method is all about creating sustainable eating habits to help you maintain a balanced weight, develop a positive relationship with food, and experience all of the pleasures and joy that it has to offer along the way. The best first step in this process is to revamp your kitchen essentials, ensuring that your pantry is stocked with items that deliver key nutrients and add what I like to call a special “Flavor Factor” to your meals. When it comes to a plant-based pantry, Bragg’s product line spans a number of key categories that you should keep in consideration - from their classic Apple Cider Vinegar, one of the most diverse and beneficial wellness staples, to nutritional yeast (fondly known as NOOCH), liquid aminos, and more.
Below are my top Bragg picks to build your plant-based pantry and some of the ways that I have incorporated them into my lifestyle.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been among my go-to staples for years, mainly because of its incredible versatility. Whether you add a tablespoon to your water in the morning, use it for a marinade, or your favorite homemade salad dressing, ACV adds a wonderful flavor boost to any meal, while also delivering the clinically-backed benefits including helping to control appetite and manage weight gain, and helping to maintain healthy blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
Nutritional Yeast
Of all plant-based essentials, I have to admit nutritional yeast (nooch) might be my favorite! It’s the perfect vegan substitute for some cheesy goodness, and can be used in so many ways. Whether you use it for the base of a recipe or sprinkle it as a topping, it adds an incredible flavor boost to any meal or snack. To add to this, nooch is packed with B vitamins and delivers one of the only sources of complete protein for those on a vegan diet. Lately, I’ve been loving Bragg’s new flavored nutritional yeast - it’s available in Smoky BBQ and Garlic, adding an extra delicious touch to any recipe!
Liquid Aminos
For all of my soy sauce lovers, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos are the perfect substitute - made with non-GMO soybeans. I love to use this in stir fries to level up the flavor factor of the base, and then switch it up with a variety of amazing vegetables!
Bragg’s full range of plant based essentials also include salt-free seasoning blends, cold-pressed olive oil, acv refreshers, acv shots, salad dressings and science-backed Apple Cider Vinegar supplements - with the daily recommended dose of acetic acid necessary to deliver on its benefits!
McKel Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN
Founder of Nutrition Stripped, and creator of the Mindful Nutrition Method™
