Eat Vegan Like Game of Thrones Star Nathalie Emmanuel!

Actress Natalie Emmanuel may be known for her role as Missandei, former slave of Astapor turned Daenerys Targaryen’s trusted adviser, multi-lingual interpreter, and love interest of commander of the Unsullied, Grey Worm, on the HBO hit fantasy series “Game of Thrones,” but the star is on our radar for more than just her on-screen appearances. In real life, she’s a proud vegan!

“I will be have been vegan for five years in September this year I worked out the other day,” Emmanuel Tweeted out in July.

Emmanuel’s Instagram is brimming with multiple vegan food photos that have us drooling; they’re colorful, varied, and definitely prove that a plant-based diet is anything but boring.

Just check out how delicious her Tofu and Jackfruit scramble looks! Emmanuel incorporated avocado and veggies, and to make this scramble bright and energizing.

We’re also feeling pretty inspired by the Sweet Potato and Kale Cakes she made, with a side of Mango Salsa. 

Additionally, Emmanuel is a Speedo ambassador, which means she likely knows how to eat a balanced plant-based diet to maintain optimal physical performance so she can stay fueled and energized on and off-set. Luckily, following a healthy eating plan doesn’t mean eliminating treats!

Emmanuel topped her gluten-free, vegan pancakes with maple syrup and fruit and berries to keep her meal balanced.

But remember: it’s okay to go all-in on your favorite desserts, like this thick and creamy dairy-free shake, from time to time.

Emmanuel Cooks a Lot to Stay Satisfied on a Vegan Diet

“I started eating a vegan diet about four years ago and even after a week I felt amazing,” Emmanuel told Glamour. I had so much more energy. I don’t trust the food industry, I don’t trust what they put in our food — it makes me feel sick actually. I cook a lot and my signature dish is a vegan version of a Caribbean dish called ackee and saltfish.”

Don’t fret if you have trouble finding a plant-based version of one of your favorite snacks. Just make your own, like Emmanuel did with this vegan granola!

Make Your Own Vegan Food Too!

If you’re inspired by the joy Emmanuel clearly gets from whipping up her own plant-based meals, then why not try some vegan cooking out for yourself? We searched through the archives of our Food Monster App and found some plant-based Carribean recipes so you can cook Emmanuel’s favorite cuisine from the comfort of your own home.

This gluten-free Caribbean Jerk Chili from Vegan: The Cookbook pops with color and flavor. Enjoy it during the winter and the summertime! 

This Carribean Paella by Charlene Harris is making us hungry for dinner right now!

Paella is a traditional seafood dish from the Valencia region in Spain. This version of paella takes the original dish and turns it on its head using only plant-based ingredients and a Carribean twist, just like Emmanuel likes. This Caribbean-style paella is full of color and flavor, with bell peppers, mushrooms, pumpkins, saffron, and just a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Don’t forget to learn how to make this gluten-free Caribbean Essential: Green Seasoning Paste by Nita Ragoonanan.

This paste is the key ingredient to making your plant-based Caribbean dishes taste authentic? While you can find jarred green seasoning in stores, it’s easy to make at home — and it tastes fresher, too! All it really takes are scallions, peppers, cilantro, ginger, garlic, thyme, onions, and fresh lime juice to keep the color a vibrant green. Throw it all in a food processor or blender and you have fresh green seasoning. Use it in rice dishes or with plant-based proteins like tofu, tempeh, and seitan.

If you’re interested in learning more about plant-based cooking, or are just on the hunt for even more vegan Carribean recipes, then we highly recommend checking out our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 8,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to ten new recipes per day. Check it out!

Lead image source: Tinseltown/Shutterstock