Thinking of going vegan this year? If you are, Danish-born Bettina Campolucci Bordi – author, plant-based chef and founder of Bettina’s Kitchen – believes it’s not just about what goes on in the oven, but what goes on between your ears, as your mindset is crucial to your vegan journey.

In her new book, 7 Day Vegan Challenge, Bettina tries to take on much of the heavy lifting for you by including three different weekly menu plans (The Easy Peasy Way, For The Planners and Fast & Fresh) to accompany the recipes. The rest is up to you.

Bettina explains: “Take one day at a time. The recipes are so easy that it won’t be overwhelming and you have three weekly planners to choose from, or mix and match to suit your lifestyle. Enjoy the variation and discover a whole new world of opportunities.

“Rather than thinking about what you can’t have, think about all the new options that you are about to find out about.”

This approach means making a vegetable the hero item on your plate. Rather than your chosen legumes merely being the moons that orbit around a steak, for example, instead promote the mighty mushroom to A-list status.

“I started experimenting with plant-based food and cooking seven years ago when I entered the wellness industry running health retreats in Spain,” says Bettina.

“Generally in the UK, we lack knowledge in how to make the vegetables the hero ingredient on our plates. I would highly suggest transitioning into eating seasonally, wherever you are based. The fruits and veggies that are in season always taste better, which helps. Also, don’t be afraid of cooking and experimenting with food – we have access to so much around us!”

Balance, admittedly, does enjoy an occasional bit of meat. However, this whole vegetable-as-hero aspect is something we can really get behind. Indeed, if superhero fatigue is setting in (although we still can’t see it), perhaps it’s the turn of a new hero.

And Bettina adds: “I hope people reading this will get new ideas on how to include more veggies into their everyday life. Cook from scratch, make vegetables the hero ingredient on the plate by easy, fuss-free recipes that also don’t take ages to make.

“The idea is to inspire as many people as possible to include more vegetables into their diet. Whether it’s a few days a week or forever – that is up to the person who embarks on the 7 Day Vegan Challenge.”

For more information on becoming vegan visit bettinaskitchen.com

7 Day Vegan Challenge is out now (Hardie Grant Books; £15)