With the start of 2023 just around the corner, we can’t help but shift our minds to what the New Year will bring. New ambitions are set, fresh perspectives are nurtured, and most importantly, health goals are kicked into gear.
Shifting to a more vegan lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular, with hundreds of thousands of people opting for a more plant-based diet. And what better way to start a new vegan journey than with Veganuary, 31 days of no animal-based foods or drink?
You may be eager to opt into this new way of life but still have your hesitations. If so, then not to worry, as we have broken down everything you need to know right here.
What is Veganuary?
Let’s start with the basics and understand what Veganuary actually is.
Veganuary is the idea of trying out a completely vegan diet during the entire month of January and seeing how it suits you. This means cutting out all animal products such as meats, dairy and eggs.
Adopting a vegan diet for a month can be a great way of trying out new and delicious foods whilst learning more about veganism and exploring whether a plant-based diet is for you. It also gives you the time to reflect on how our everyday choices affect animals, the environment and our overall health.
Several people try out Veganuary as a New Year’s resolution to kick-start a healthier lifestyle, but it can be as healthy or unhealthy as you wish it to be – there’s no harm in having a bit of fun with it!
What are the health benefits?
- It can promote weight loss
- Reduces cholesterol levels
- Vegan diets provide more fibre and antioxidants
- Helps to promote healthier gut and bowel movements
- Rich in nutrients and low in saturated fats
- Improves heart health
- Better mental health
- It’s delicious!
What is the best way to try out Veganuary?
A lot of people simply do Veganuary solo and try it out on their own. There are resources, however, that can really help those looking for a bit more guidance and help. One of the most popular that many people sign up with is the UK-based charity Veganuary.
Veganuary is a non-profit organisation that helps guide hundreds of thousands of individuals wanting to explore a vegan diet and lifestyle. The main benefit of signing up for Veganuary, rather than doing it alone, is that you have a massive support system and community to help keep you motivated and on track.
You will receive daily emails with various information about veganism, as well as encouragement to keep you enthused about this new journey. They also send out tasty recipe ideas to inspire your palate and help you explore new and exciting dishes.
The best thing about Veganuary is that is it free to join and you can make a donation of any size. Kickstarting a new diet can be a bit daunting and challenging, so having a bit of a helping hand at the start can be valuable.
What difference does Veganuary make?
Veganuary runs surveys later in the year to assess the impact that initial month of veganism has had.
Here are some of the results from Veganuary 2021, from nearly 9000 respondents six months later:
- Over 80% said they significantly reduced the number of animal products in their diets by at least half, and 30% of respondents stayed vegan since doing Veganuary.
- More than 2/3’s of the people that stayed vegan experienced improvements in their overall health, including body weight, mood, skin appearance and energy levels.
- Over 50% of those that stayed vegan have been more active and influential in promoting veganism to others
Read the entire Veganuary survey here to find out more about last year’s results.
Time to make a change
If you are ready to take the leap and change your daily diet but want more of a tailored plan and help with nutritional guidance, then book a free consultation with us today and start a new health kick this New Year. Check out some of our delicious vegan recipes and tag us on socials with some of the meals you’ve created.
