Veganuary = Vegan + January!
Veganuary is a campaign that encourages people to try a vegan lifestyle for
the month of January. A vegan diet excludes all animal products such as meat,
dairy, eggs, and honey.
Being vegan is not only a dietary approach, it is also a lifestyle choice. It has a lot to do with being kind to animals and our planet with some potential benefits for your body.
Going vegan for a month can be quite daunting as it changes how you eat, BUT
it could also be quite fun with new recipes and restaurants to explore!
It is a great idea to try it out for one month to see how it works for you and your body. If you plan on doing the vegan diet long term, take time to check in with a doctor or dietician to make sure you’ve set up a varied and well-balanced diet for yourself!
Benefits of Veganuary:
Every person is different, so here are some potential benefits of eating vegan.
1. Health Benefits:
- Can increase intake of fruits and vegetables: A vegan diet typically emphasizes plant-based foods, which are often rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Make sure you focus on eating fruits and vegetables and don’t rely on vegan “junk” food that may be lower in nutrients. After all cola and chips are considered vegan, which tastes delicious, but will not sustain your body long-term.
- Can increase fibre intake: Plant-based whole foods are often high in fibre, which promotes healthy digestion. Make sure to drink enough water as well to help keep your bathroom visits regular.
- Eat more plant-based: Plant-based diets have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and obesity. While a plant-based diet cannot cure a disease, when you eat a varied and balance diet full of fruit and vegetables, it can support your body toward working well.
2. Animal Friendly
- Celebrate Health & Well-being: Let Veganuary be a celebration of both your health and the well-being of animals.
- New Discoveries: Embracing a vegan lifestyle for one month introduces you to a diverse range of delicious foods that you may have not experienced otherwise. YAY for more fruit and veg variety in your diet.
3. Environmental Impact:
- Reduced air pollution: Exploring a vegan diet can help reduce your carbon footprint as animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Conservation of resources: Animal farming requires large amounts of land, water, and feed. By reducing your animal product consumption, you can contribute to the conservation of these valuable resources.
- Support biodiversity and prevent deforestation: Animal agriculture is a leading cause of deforestation and habitat destruction. Choosing a vegan lifestyle can help protect biodiversity and our planet’s natural ecosystems.
4. Recipe Ideas:
- Breakfast: Vegan smoothie bowls, tofu scramble, overnight oats with plant-based milk and toppings like berries and nuts.
- Lunch: Chickpea salad wraps, soup and sandwich, Buddha bowls with grains, roasted vegetables, and a protein source like lentils or tempeh.
- Dinner: Vegan stir-fries with tofu and lots of colourful vegetables, lentil or bean-based soups, vegetable curries with coconut milk, or plant-based burgers with sweet potato fries.
- Snacks: Fresh fruit, vegetable sticks with hummus, roasted chickpeas, energy balls made with nuts and dates, make NICE-cream or vegan yogurt with granola.
Check out our Juice Plus+ Complete Vanilla and Chocolate shake powder –
which is vegan - you can add to smoothie bowls, vegan pancakes, to add a boost of nutrition to meal.
If you are looking to add more protein to your daily routine, check out our
high protein shake in Fruit Fusion flavour. Add to your smoothie routine and
take alone by mixing with water.
5. Special Considerations:
- Be kind to everyone: Not everyone has the possibility to eat a vegan diet and it is important to be mindful of everyone’s choices as they may only have access to certain foods.
Remember, it's important to ensure a balanced diet and meet nutritional needs while following a vegan lifestyle. We recommend checking with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet to ensure nutritional needs are met.
