What Is Veganuary?
In 2014, a UK non-profit organisation of the same name coined the campaign Veganuary to encourage people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the whole month of January. The charity was inspired by the huge success of Movember, and they wanted to raise the same amount of awareness for veganism.
While January is the most common time of the year for people to make big changes to their lifestyle, you don’t need to wait until then to lead a plant-based lifestyle.
Considering taking part this year? We’ve summarised everything you need to know about Veganuary and veganism below!
How Popular Is Veganuary?
In 2022, over 620,000 people from 228 countries and territories took part in the event, with thousands continuing to adopt plant-based lifestyles after the campaign ended.
What Are The Benefits Of Veganuary?
Veganuary is no longer just a trendy food challenge - it’s now one of the most-talked-about international health campaigns, and for good reason too.
Veganism itself has soared in popularity within the last decade. To date, it’s estimated that there are now 79 million vegans worldwide!
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest reasons for the rise in taste for vegan diets is the huge environmental benefits. A plant-based diet provides a wealth of powerful benefits for our planet, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the conservation of water, wildlife protection of endangered species and so much more. It’s never been more important to live kindly, and veganism seems to provide us with the perfect starting point.
The equally powerful long-term health benefits of going vegan are often enough to encourage people to try out Veganuary. Research has revealed that those who follow a plant-based diet are less likely to develop serious illnesses such as heart disease.
Those who choose to lead a plant-based lifestyle can also expect some great short-term benefits too, including boosted mood, healthier-looking skin, and an improved quality of sleep.
What is a vegan diet?
A vegan diet includes foods that come from plant origins, for example; fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, lentils, beans, and grains. Vegans avoid foods from animals such as meat, milk, yoghurt, eggs, and cheese.
For many, veganism is far more than just a diet. Many people also choose to only buy sustainable products that reduce the environmental impact of the animal industry, such as vegan-friendly clothes and make-up. Another great example of this is our plant-based Omega 3 algae supplements, which are derived from algae oil rather than fish.
Are Plant-Based Diets High In Protein?
Yes, plant-based diets can be very high in protein. There’s a common misconception surrounding veganism that it can be difficult to consume enough protein with a diet that’s entirely free of meat. Alongside natural sources such as nut butters, kidney beans, chickpeas, pulses and tofu, modern innovations in the food industry have allowed people to enjoy a wide range of high-protein alternatives to meat.
Can Veganuary help me lose weight?
Many vegans tend to find it easier to lose weight due to the lower-calorie foods found in plant-based diets. According to the Veganuary website, 75% of those who participated in the challenge reported an average loss of 6lbs after only one month!
Easy Plant-Based Diet Swaps