The best vegan Instagram accounts to follow and apps to download right now

We can all agree that the quickest way to contribute to a cooler Mother Earth is to adopt a more plant-based diet.

While it’s impossible and unrealistic to think that everyone in the world is about to go vegan and vegetarian, we can work towards incorporating more plant-based foods in our diets – and maybe forgoing that chicken burger for a meal or two. “But where do I even start?”, you ask? The good news is, if you’re reading this, you’re already off to a decent start because we’ve compiled a list of Instagram accounts, apps, and YouTube channels that could help you. The accounts below are so helpful in showing you how to make easy flavourful meals – pretty much, now!

Our favourite apps

Deliciously Ella

If you’ve watched Zac Efron’s Down to Earth with Zac Efron on Netflix, then you’ve probably seen the delicious looking curry that Ella makes on an episode she’s featured in. Having tried it myself, I can assure you that it is, in fact, very, very delicious. This app gives you a long list of recipe ideas for you to choose from should you ever need inspiration. You can create a shopping list for the recipes that you choose and plan out your meals for the week. And as if that wasn’t enough, there are also exercise videos, blog posts, and links to the Deliciously Ella podcast. The app costs R17,99 per month or R179,99 for a yearly subscription.

Abillionveg

This app is a small community of vegans and plant-based folks who are interested in local vegan restaurants and stores to shop at. Every time you post a review on this app, abillionveg donates to one of their partner organisations that support conservation and diet change. And the reviews don’t get lost in the abyss. Every review you make gets sent back to the business so by doing so, you’re also supporting local. The app will show you the vegan restaurant or shop nearest to you at any given time and you can follow fellow reviewers for extra inspo.

Our favourite Instagram accounts

@The_Green_Dietician

Jessica Kotlowitz is a registered dietician and certified IG Queen! Not only does her page provide you with some yummy meal ideas, she also gives sound advice on the nutritional value of the food you’re eating. The quickest way to stick to any life change or adjustment is to find your “why”. If you’re “why?” for eating a more plant-based diet is for your health, then following this account is the best gift you can give yourself.

@cape_town_vegan

The great thing about this account is that it is filled with vegan finds that are delicious and affordable. As someone whose favorite foods used to include a lot of meat and dairy products, you can count on @cape_town_vegan for recs on foods that will help you along as you try to make the transition to eating more plant-based. Bonus: If you’re in Johannesburg, follow his nemesis @joburgvegan (but don’t say I sent you).

@veganfriendlycapetown

Just because you’re trying to eat more plant-based, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious restaurant meal or treat now and then. This account, run by Talya Goldberg, is a great source for when you’re looking for recommendations for the best vegan donuts, pizza, or cafés. This is not to say that Talya does not show off some delicious greens as well. For some lunchtime inspo Look out for her homemade veggie bowls and salads.

@Ratilekalakala

Rati Lekalakala’s Instagram page is a dream destination for lifestyle, fashion and vegan content. Her foodstagrams make you forget that you’re even following a vegan page – it all just looks so good! She also gives great cruelty-free makeup and skin-care recs so your animal-friendly journey doesn’t have to stop at food. Following her makes you feel like not only is a plant-based lifestyle very doable but also, dare I say, glamourous!