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Veganuary is another challenge set in January, just like Dry January. The main purpose of Veganuary is for individuals to try a vegan diet for a month to see how it can benefit their health and contribute to the broader aims of Veganuary. This guide tells you everything you need to know about Veganuary and our tips for success this January.
Veganuary is a non-profit organisation, established in 2014. The meaning of Veganuary is an amalgamation of the word vegan and January. The challenge is to try a vegan lifestyle for the whole of January. As of 2023, over 1 million people have signed up to Veganuary, showing its increase in popularity over the last 10 years.
Veganuary has several aims, including:
A vegan lifestyle is a form of diet that excludes the use of animal products for ethical, environmental, and health reasons. Vegans avoid consuming not only meat but also fish and any other animal-derived products such as dairy, eggs, and honey. Some vegans are stricter about their veganism and refrain from purchasing any animal products in clothing, cosmetics, and household items.
Veganism is a diet that avoids any animal products, so what can you eat on a vegan diet? A vegan diet has a variety of nutrients derived from different sources, including:
There are a few different benefits to trying a vegan diet. For example, having a more balanced and nutritious diet. Although a vegan diet may seem more restrictive, it actually broadens the range of foods you might consider eating. From legumes to whole grains, these are food items you may not think of choosing normally, but they are a key food source in a balanced vegan diet.
Studies have also shown a vegan diet can provide you with more fibre and Vitamin K. This is due to the broader range of food sources within a vegan diet. There are also other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes, minimising the risk of heart disease, lower fatty acids, and reducing cholesterol. This shows a vegan diet can be more beneficial than a traditional omnivore diet as your mindset may be changed, helping you make more informed decisions. Having restrictions means you can be more conscious about what you are eating and choose more nutritious foods.
On the other hand, there are some challenges that come with a vegan diet. Due to the restriction of no meat in a vegan diet, there is a chance you may become deficient in some other nutrients and vitamins. Meat contains a lot of Vitamin B12 and iron, so removing meat from your diet can be of concern. This can cause negative effects, as B12 deficiency can lead to anemia.
Additionally, a vegan diet can also lead to a lower intake of Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iodine, and iron. It is suggested that you should pay attention to these areas in particular if you are to change your diet to a vegan one. To help increase the level of these nutrients, you should eat a large variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other foods within a vegan diet as well as take supplements as and when needed.
Educating yourself before adopting a vegan diet is a good idea, as having a balanced diet is important for getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need, especially when there are restrictions to what you can and can’t eat. Finding new sources of Vitamin B12 and iron is essential when replacing meat in your diet.
It can be challenging to change your whole diet for just one month, but we have created a list of tips on how to do Veganuary successfully. Take a look at our list below!
It can be tempting to just buy any type of food when you’ve run out of vegan options at home. To avoid this, you should attempt to keep your fridge and shelves stocked with a range of vegan options. From fruit and vegetables to legumes and plant alternatives, it’s important to maintain a vegan mindset when joining the challenge of Veganuary.
To make life easier, you could try opting for a vegan delivery service. There are plenty to choose from, meaning you have a large selection of recipes that you can try without having the hassle of cooking them yourself. This allows you to try a range of new flavours and maybe even foods you have never tried before, helping you broaden your palette.
When you’re out and about, it can be appealing to buy a snack, whether it be vegan or not. To minimise the chances of you buying a non-vegan snack, why not try carrying some vegan snacks with you? Snacks to try this Veganuary include:
If you want to try a vegan diet this January, you can get involved by signing up on the Veganuary website. By signing up for the mailing list, you will receive emails containing recipe ideas, shopping tips and health and environment information, keeping you motivated and informed throughout January. You can even grab a Veganuary celebrity cookbook to help enhance your cooking skills.
At Home Health, we can support you throughout the challenge. We offer a range of supplements and testing kits that can help make your Veganuary a positive experience. From Vitamin D tablets to iron deficiency tests, we have everything you need for a successful Veganuary.
A vegan diet avoids the consumption of meat and fish, essentially any animal products. Some examples of a vegan diet include vegetables, fruit, grains, and nuts.
A vegetarian diet is where you avoid eating any meat, poultry, or fish, whereas a vegan diet is stricter and avoids the consumption of any animal products. This includes dairy, eggs, and any other items derived from animals. An extremely strict vegan lifestyle can also mean not purchasing any animal products in different areas, such as clothing, cosmetics, and household items.
There are approximately 1 million vegans in the UK, based on estimations. This makes up about 1-2% of the UK population. This number has increased from 2019, when only 600,000 individuals identified as vegan.
The key protein sources of vegans are nuts, grains, and legumes. Certain vegetables and seeds also contain protein, making a vegan diet well-rounded. Examples of vegan items with high protein include seitan, tofu, beans, and lentils.
Vegan diets have many health benefits, such as gaining more nutrients, having a higher intake of fibre and Vitamin K, and reducing the risk of a range of different health conditions. For example, a vegan diet can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Given the range of deficiencies you could develop from a vegan diet, there are a range of supplements you can take. From Vitamin D, iron, and calcium supplements, there are various tablets you might have to take. You should consult with your doctor before taking any supplements to ensure you are taking the best ones for you. At Home Health, we can also help by offering you a range of different tests. For example, our iron deficiency test will enable you to see if you require iron tablets in the future, helping you monitor your health.
Modern-day veganism became popular in 1944, but it wasn’t until 1949 that a definition of veganism was created. However, the initial ideas of veganism have been around for thousands of years. For example, the Greek philosopher Pythagoras adopted some form of vegetarian diet, and a few thousand years later, Percy Bysshe Shelley avoided eating eggs and dairy products.
Alcohol itself is 100% vegan-friendly, meaning if you try Veganuary, you can still drink alcohol. You should read the label before consuming any alcohol to ensure the product is 100% vegan, as non-vegan products can be added. However, many brands of hard liquor, such as whiskey, vodka, and gins, are vegan.
What on Earth is Veganuary and What are the Benefits?
