Experts explain how to go vegan this Veganuary and stick to it

03/01/2024

Veganism might have once been deemed a fad, but now, as global meat consumption levels fall, there’s no denying that the rise of the plant-based diet is unstoppable. In fact, some [1] have predicted that plant-based food sales are expected to increase fivefold by 2030. As the new year chimes in, many Brits will be making resolutions – some of which may entail going vegan for ‘Veganuary’.

In light of Veganuary, the completely vegan, natural family care company Faith In Nature [2] – which has been creating fully vegan products since 1974 – surveyed 2000 Brits to understand how the rise of veganism has influenced the nation. It said the survey revealed that around a quarter (24%) of Brits said they would consider going vegan for the month of January. A further one in six (15%) Brits said they would not go fully vegan, but would consider reducing their consumption of animal products.

Those aged 25-34 were the most likely to say they’d consider going vegan in January, with two in five people (40%). Those aged 55+ were the least likely (13%). To aid people on their vegan or vegan-curious journey, the experts at Faith In Nature have pulled together their top tips on how to implement aspects of veganism into their everyday habits – and how to stick to them.

Going vegan and how to sustain it

Start with your morning habits

Habit stacking is like psychological lego, building your new habit onto an existing habit will make for a solid foundation. Morning routines are often our strongest, so making your morning coffee or cereal with a dairy alternative milk like oat or coconut could be a simple first step. While switching your milk might feel like a drop in the ocean, research shows that starting small on a journey to veganism is the best way to go.

Faith In Nature has always felt that even the smallest change for the better is better than no change at all. The same goes for trying out some aspects of veganism this January. Be careful and ensure to replace any missing nutrients

Going vegan means a significant change in diet for some people, which can cause many changes in our bodies – including wreaking havoc on energy levels, thus, leaving you feeling like veganism isn’t something you can stick to. As such, you’ll have to get some nutrients from your old diet in other places at first. This includes things like calcium, vitamins B12 and D – which are mostly exclusively from animals – and omega-3 fatty acids.

These can be replaced with vegan supplements, some of which are listed below:

Calcium – tofu, soyfoods, beans, peas and lentils, some nuts, seeds, some grains, seaweed and leafy greens.
Vitamin B12 – nutritional yeast, marmite and yeast spreads, fortified soy and almond milk, plant-based meats, and fortified cereals like All Bran.
Vitamin D – mushrooms, fortified cereals, and fortified orange juice.
Omega-3 fatty acids – chia seeds, brussels sprouts, algal oil, walnuts and hemp seeds.

Don’t feel bad about craving or eating meat Breaking decades-long diets and attachments to the smells, flavours and textures of animal products can be difficult. Whether you’re hungover and craving your favourite bacon curer or out for a meal and craving steak – it’s okay to be flexible.

However, it’s estimated that the average person on a meat and dairy diet indirectly contributes to the consumption of around 600 gallons of water per day more than someone who follows a vegan diet. Faith In Nature did some research and found that the average person could save 843 bathtubs [3] full of water by going vegan for a month. The good news is that there are thousands of vegan-meat products out there to imitate the real thing.

If you’re craving bacon on a Sunday morning after a few, why not try This Isn’t Bacon’s streaky bacon rashers? Check your alcohol While January is Veganuary, many people will still be finishing off the Christmas [4] festivities, so if you’re embarking on a veganism journey this January, remember that not all alcohol is vegan.

Some wines and beers are refined through animal products like fish gelatine and blood. And although the finished product doesn’t directly contain them, they’re still used in the manufacturing process. Similarly, some cocktails contain things like egg whites.

Most spirits are vegan, but to be sure, you can search the brand on directories like Barnivore [5], which lists vegan and vegetarian alcohols. Good hair days begin with a good vegan shampoo Good hair days don’t have to be about just looking and feeling good – they can also be about doing good.

When it comes to veganism, most people think about what you can and can’t eat, but a vegan lifestyle extends way beyond our kitchen cupboards. In fact, many non-vegan products can find their way into your bathroom cabinet, especially via hair products. Many ingredients found in shampoo or conditioner are derived from animals or their by-products.

Some common ones include keratin, stearic acid and cetyl alcohol. Hannah Whittaker, marketing director at Faith In Nature, said: “This January, Faith In Nature is encouraging as many people as possible to take on the challenge and go vegan for the month. Our products have been proudly vegan since we started in 1974, but for many, the idea of going vegan is brand new and can be daunting.

“However, that said, going vegan is easier than ever before – there’s a huge market for it, so implementing small changes for most people shouldn’t be too hard. To help stick to any veganism trials for the month of January, we’re encouraging people to ask their friends and family to sponsor them. “They can then donate the money raised to their favourite animal or eco charities.

A few of our favourites include TreeSisters [6], World Land Trust [7], and Kind Direct [8].”

References

^ some (www.bloomberg.com)
^ Faith In Nature (go.skimresources.com)
^ 843 bathtubs (go.skimresources.com)
^ Christmas (www.nottinghampost.com)
^ Barnivore (www.barnivore.com)
^ TreeSisters (www.treesisters.org)
^ World Land Trust (www.worldlandtrust.org)
^ Kind Direct (www.inkinddirect.org)