Veganuary’s Top Tips: An Expert’s Guide

January 19, 2023 Written by Ashleigh Clark

I first took part in Veganuary in 2018, thinking I probably wouldn’t even last the whole month.  I gave myself full permission to give up if it got too difficult.

It definitely felt different for the first couple of weeks. I found myself spending most of my time checking the back of labels, searching for inspiration online and quite often, questioning why I was making the decision to so drastically change my lifestyle.

Despite this, at the end of the month I decided to go just a little bit longer and now, five years on, I’m still going strong and being vegan feels like the most natural thing in the world.

If you’ve made it to the halfway mark of this year’s Veganuary campaign or are still curious about giving it a go, here are four quick top tips that might help along the way.

Get clear about your motivations:
It can really help to take a bit of time and think about why you want to give veganism a go. Is it for your health, sustainability, animal welfare or just for a challenge? It could be a bit of everything, but understanding the ‘why’ might help you keep going when you’re finding it tough.

Get excited about the challenge:
Instead of dreading the month or thinking about what you won’t be able to have, instead use it as an opportunity to be open-minded and try out some new recipes, some of the many vegan launches this month or just get a bit creative with new flavours!

Keep some familiarity:
While trying some new things is great, it can also be helpful to think about some of the meals really enjoy and work out how to make a vegan version. For example, instead of mince bolognese you could try it with lentils, or instead of a chicken stir-fry you could add some tofu or a soya meat alternative while keeping a similar sauce and veggies.

Forget the ‘perfect vegan’ image:
When I first went vegan I slipped up by accident – a lot. Working out what is and isn’t suitable can be overwhelming, and I nearly gave up when I realised my cereal wasn’t vegan, the falafels I had just bought contained honey and don’t even get me started on the milk powder! Even if it’s not an accident, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You’re trying your best and making a difference, so give yourself the credit you deserve!

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