It’s the New Year, and you’ve decided to try a vegan diet. You’re excited. You’re raring to go. After all, there’s so much out there. Vegan chicken wings, sweets, tofu, tempeh, mushroom burgers - it’s a whole new world. But then it hits you. You realise how much meat and dairy you eat, and suddenly, becoming vegan is overwhelming.
That’s where Veganuary comes in. It’s a chance to try a vegan diet and lifestyle without committing for the rest of your life. So, if you want to give veganism a shot without going full-time, follow our tips for a successful Veganuary.
What is Veganuary?
Veganuary is a commitment to veganism during January (hence, Veganury). If you are vegan, you do not consume animal produce. That includes meat, fish, dairy, eggs and honey. You also avoid using anything that contains animal products or abuses animals. For example, make-up that tests on animals or clothing made from leather.
The Benefits of Veganuary
You may be interested, but think, ‘What’s the point of Veganuary?’ Well, trying veganism for one month has incredible health, wellness and environmental benefits.
- Short-term - Changing your entire diet is daunting. But Veganuary is perfect for anyone who wants to dip their toe into veganism without committing long-term.
- Helps restart veganism - Following a specific lifestyle is challenging, and you may have fallen off the veganism bandwagon. Veganuary is an opportunity to hit refresh and start again.
- Boosts your fibre intake - Veganism is a plant-based diet, so it naturally increases the amount of fruit, vegetables, beans, lentils, peas, and pulses you eat.
- Encourages you to try new things - Veganuary is a fantastic way to experiment with foods and products you have never tried. You may find that you prefer the taste of vegan sausages or love vegan sweets.
- Environmentally friendly - The booming population means we need a lot of animals to feed everyone. And that also means a lot of space. Animal products cause mass deforestation, killing wildlife and destroying green spaces. But this is reduced by switching to a vegan diet.
- Cruelty-free - Beauty products often use animal testing on mice, rats and bunnies and may contain animal fat. Many animals are also bred and raised in brutal conditions before reaching the supermarket shelves. But switching to veganism means all your produce and products are cruelty-free.
How to Do Veganuary
Maybe you’re on board with trying a month of veganism, but you don’t know where to start. If that sounds like you, keep reading for our Veganuary advice.
Look Up Veganuary Recipes
It’s January 1st, and you’re ready to go. But when you open your cupboards, you realise you don’t have a clue how to cook vegan food. The first place to start is looking up vegan recipes.
You can create a Pinterest board or invest in a vegan cookbook. If you have a friend who follows a vegan diet, drop them a message and ask if they have any recommendations. We advise starting with simple recipes, such as dahl or vegan pasta and sauce with veg.
You should also begin with foods you know you like. It’s normal to get excited, but trying too many things at once could overwhelm you. So, during the initial week, choose vegetables and fruits you enjoy. And good news - most carbohydrates like pasta, rice and bread are vegan. Just be sure to check for the vegan stamp of approval.
Read more: 5 Vegan Collagen-Rich Foods to Hack Your Hormones.
Make a Veganuary Mealplan
A challenge from a new diet is figuring out what to eat each day. You may feel motivated at first. But when tiredness or a busy lifestyle hits, you reach for your old comfort foods. After a tough day at work, you don’t want to cook a two-hour vegan meal you’ve never made before. And those beef burgers are looking pretty good.
A trick to prevent yourself from falling into this trap is meal planning. At the start of each week, write out what you’ll eat for every meal from Monday to Sunday. Make batches of food, so you’re not constantly cooking, and don’t plan a new recipe on the day you also have parents' evening, the gym and a deadline at work.
Oh - and don’t forget snacks! Being vegan isn’t about cutting out treats. There are plenty of vegan sweets, ice cream, chocolate and desserts.
Dine Out at Vegan Restaurants
Many restaurants offer vegan options, especially in cities. You can have anything from a portobello mushroom burger or butternut squash risotto to tasty lemon pasta. If you can, check the menu before you dine out. Each meal should have a sign showing it’s vegan, but you can ask the person serving you if you’re unsure.
Experiment With Vegan Products
A fun part about doing something new is that you get to experiment. You might try oat milk in your coffee and realise you prefer the taste. Or find that fried cauliflower with beans, rice, and Tabasco sauce is an instant hit in your house.
You could discover a vegan alternative for your shampoo and a world of beauty products you never noticed before. Maybe you like the vegan alternative, maybe you don’t. But the important thing is that you tried. And, remember, at the end of the month, you can always keep the things that worked and drop the ones that don’t.
Switch to Vegan Supplements
Many supplements contain animal products, and there’s no need for them! You can get vegan alternatives that do the same job (if not better). Arella Beauty’s liquid collagen supplement is vegan and completely cruelty-free. It’s made with VeCollal®, formulated from plant extracts to replicate the amino acids your body uses to naturally create collagen.
We’ve also packed our collagen supplement with beautiful plant-based ingredients. These include ginseng, hyaluronic acids, vitamin C and retinol to get glowing skin, grow glossy hair, and boost your heart health. All Arella Beauty supplements are vegan, so you can nurture your health while protecting animals and the environment.
Read more: 7 Incredible Benefits of Collagen Supplements
Embrace Veganuary With Arella Beauty
Veganuary is a way to do your part for the planet, even if it’s just for January. By the end of the challenge, you may decide to continue veganism, choose vegan alternatives more often or drop it altogether. It’s entirely up to you. But we encourage you to give it a go. After all, what have you got to lose? Go ahead and jump into Veganuary with Arella Beauty.
Read next:
- 5 Vegan Collagen-Rich Foods to Hack Your Hormones
- The Terrifying Truth Behind Animal Collagen and Deforestation
- VeCollal® Vegan Collagen: What is it, and how does it work?
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Written by Emma Carey for Arella Beauty.
Emma is a holistic beauty and wellness writer. She has three years of experience in the well-being industry and a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and Wellness. Check out her portfolio and follow her on Instagram.
