It's that time of the year again when many people will be setting resolutions and new, healthy habits for themselves!
Veganuary is a popular choice for people across the world, allowing anyone to try out veganism for a full month.
From trying to be a bit healthier to saving the planet, there are lots of reasons to check out a few vegan meals in 2023- and Veganuary can be a fantastic way to start off your vegan journey.
In this blog post, read your ultimate guide to Veganuary 2023, including my top tips to stick to your Veganuary goals this year.
What is Veganuary?
Veganuary is a combination of the words "January" and "veganism", encouraging people to follow a plant-based diet in January.
This plant-based campaign has grown in popularity throughout the years, with famous patrons such as Paul McCartney and Chris Packham. In fact, over 1 million people have been involved since 2014.
Veganuary is a great campaign to help get veganism on the map, raising awareness for the benefits of veganism.
Many businesses support Veganuary each year. 600+ businesses took part in the campaign in 2020, and over 1200 new vegan products and menus launched at this time too!
Why should you try Veganuary?
For those who are daunted by the prospect of turning vegan, Veganuary is a great way to try out a plant-based lifestyle without the pressure of sticking to it long-term.
After January, you might find that you enjoy the vegan diet- and you might want to continue with veganism full-time, or at least adopt some vegan meals in your diet.
Trying out Veganuary also allows you to join a community of other people, sharing ideas, meals, tips and suggestions during this campaign.
Veganuary is a great way to stick to a new habit at a time when many other people are also setting themselves goals for the New Year.
5 Tips to Stick to Your Veganuary Goals
I've put together 5 top tips to stick to your Veganuary goals!
This might be your first time trying out Veganuary, or you might just be finding it hard to stick to a new diet.
1. Make a list of foods you already eat
First things first, it can help to make a list of foods you already eat. Then, you can decide which ones are off limits for the month- and which ones you need to swap out for vegan alternatives.
Making a list of food and drinks can also help you understand what you can and can't eat during January. For many people just starting on their vegan journey it can be easy to slip up occasionally- and it's okay if that happens.
However, making a list of simple do's and don'ts for your vegan experience will make it a lot easier for you.
2. Stay healthy!
If you're trying out Veganuary for the first time, it's important to stay healthy.
There are a few ways to eat well as a vegan and it's so important to fill your body with what it needs for the day, helping you avoid low energy or any deficiencies.
This includes a healthy balance of carbs, protein, vegetables and more.
This will also keep you motivated, as you'll know that everything you're putting in your body is healthy and fuelling your body up.
3. Do your research
If you've never followed a vegan or vegetarian diet, you might find it hard at first to know what you can and can't eat. Do your research as much as possible, especially when you're out and about.
Luckily most menus will include clearly marked vegan options, but it's important to also read any food or drink labels and take a second before you buy something new.
You'd be surprised which foods are not vegan when you actually stop and think!
4. Find simple alternatives
You might feel daunted about starting your vegan journey, especially if you've been eating meat and animal products for your whole life.
Make your Veganuary experience easier by finding simple alternatives to your favourite foods.
From soya milk to vegan burgers, there are lots of ways to stick to your new diet while still enjoying the meals you eat.
You can even vegan-ise your current meals. I recently shared my vegan-ised Pollo Pesto recipe- my favourite dish from Pizza Express before I became a vegan!
By finding simple, delicious alternatives to your favourite foods, you'll make it a lot easier to stick to your Veganuary goals.
5. Speak to other people
The best thing about Veganuary is that lots of other people are doing it too! You can get support from the Veganuary community and receive help sticking to your goals.
You can also hear about new, tasty meal ideas or just get a bit of motivation when you're finding it hard to stay committed.
The vegan community is a lovely, supportive place too- so if you continue your vegan journey, make sure to speak to other vegans whenever you need help sticking to your diet or you need a bit of advice.
Do you have any tips for someone trying out Veganuary for the first time? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments!
Love, Sarah xoxoxo
