When I ate that way, I look towards cultures that already ate that way before American and similar companies capitalized on the idea by creating chemical alternatives.

Ex: Rastas in Jamaica, Jains in India, certain sects of Buddhism and Taoism in East Asia, etc. They've been eating vegan/vegetarian before it was cool in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe, yet they don't eat a lot of processed foods, or none at all. Their meals aren't centered around creating a meat alternative per se. They're often one pot meals (curries, stews, grain based dishes with many things inside, or meals that consist of a serving or 2 of many things).

I also think having a Jamaican mother that grew up in the countryside, where meat consumption isn't huge and using natural herbs was norm, also made it easier on figuring out how to eat and supplement nautrally.