Veganuary: A Month of Delicious Discovery
The calendar says it’s January, but the food world says it’s Veganuary. The first month of the new year, traditionally a time for fresh starts, is ideal for helping people consider a new way of eating.
Veganuary began in 2014. A small group of friends in England were figuring out ways to gently excite others about eating more plant-based, if only for a month. Their ideas evolved and grew, and a nonprofit named Veganuary was born.
In 2014, only ten years after it was first launched, Veganuary helped an estimated 25 million people interested in trying vegan. Some signed up at the Veganuary site for the organization’s program, but most simply used the resources and products offered by Veganuary as it suited them. These offerings have grown to include recipes, videos, a podcast, coaching emails, information on the benefits of eating plant-based, social media groups and posts, and more. All Veganuary online resources are no-cost to users.
Recipes and meal plans are great, but one of the main attractions of Veganuary is how friendly and inviting it is. Veganuary is not preachy. It’s a welcoming celebration of delicious plant-based foods. The Veganuary community is diverse and encouraging. People share their ideas and experiences. Veganuary is not just a pledge or a New Years resolution. Instead, it offers information and guidance to help you think about food and animals in a new way.
Just as important, Veganuary works with businesses of all sizes to make plant-based foods more convenient, with more tasty selections for anyone trying vegan choices. Just in 2024, more than 2,100 new vegan products and menu options were launched globally as part of the Veganuary celebration. Other businesses offer specials during Veganuary to save money for people making plant-based choices.
Veganuary need not be confined to January. Surveys show that most Veganuary participants continue to eat less animal foods through the rest of the year, while businesses expand their plant-based offerings. People report enjoying the benefits of a plant-based diet – including increased energy, improved mood, and lower cholesterol.
These strands are summarized in the Veganuary mission posted on the group’s site: “to inspire and support people to try vegan, drive corporate change, and create a global mass-movement championing compassionate food choices with the aim of ending animal farming, protecting the planet and improving human health.”
To quote one of Veganuary’s emails, “January itself has become Veganuary.”
If you’re in San Diego, you can easily get healthy food to support being part of Veganuary. Plant Based Meals is a meal prep company offering delicious whole-food, plant-based choices every week (and has a Veganuary special – check their site for details). Your food is delivered fresh, never frozen, for outstanding taste and maximum nutrition. Their tempting selection of meals changes weekly. Eating whole food, plant-based has never been more convenient.
——
Post written by Janice Stanger, Ph.D. Janice authored The Perfect Formula Diet: How to Lose Weight and Get Healthy Now With Six Kinds of Whole Foods. She is a nutrition educator, author, and speaker.
This is an educational article and does not provide medical advice. Results cannot be guaranteed, and may vary from person to person.