Veganuary is a UK-based non-profit organisation that works for promoting veganism. They started the “Veganuary” challenge in 2014 where they encourage people to follow the vegan lifestyle in January and beyond. They claim to have inspired ‘more than one million people in 192 countries to try vegan for January – and beyond.’ According to their statistics, more than 1200 vegan menus and products had been launched for Veganuary 2020. They also claim that 200 businesses took part in Veganuary 2020. According to their reports, the top reasons why people had chosen to be a part of this campaign in 2020 were (in order of preference): health, animals, environment, and other miscellaneous reasons. It is one of the largest vegan movements. You can sign up here.
A record-breaking number of people have signed up for the challenge this year. It has received more than half a million sign-ups (and counting) this year, the most in a single year since it first launched in 2014. They took on Instagram to announce that they have reached their sign-up goal earlier than scheduled. “Proof that 2021 really is THE YEAR for positive change,” the post read.
The group explained their mission as- “Throughout the year, Veganuary encourages and supports people and businesses alike to move to a plant-based diet as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving the health of millions of people.”
The month-long-challenge is spreading beyond the UK as well. It has now become a global campaign. According to The Guardian, the campaign has recently focused on Latin America, where 150,000 people signed up this year. The challenge also saw 80,000 sign-ups from the U.S. and 50,000 from Germany, as well as 125,000 from the UK.
With the arrival of plant-based meat and alternatives to traditional animal-derived food, the number of people signing up for a vegan diet is huge.
Some of the tips for adopting a vegan diet are as follows:
- Having the correct mindset: the approach is as important as the end goal. Understanding the natural rhythm of the body is crucial. Keeping track of one’s habits, food cravings and lifestyle is important rather than just diving into a particular lifestyle.
- Digital detox: What you consume digitally affects a lot of your lifestyle choices and habits. If you keep following junk food accounts, there are higher chances that you would be tempted to consume junk. Choose accounts, influencers, content, and more that motivate you to follow a vegan lifestyle.
- Keep the list handy: Be well prepared with a list of options. Whether it be emergency food takeaways or last-minute gifting ideas, plan them in advance. Try to keep the numbers of the places that serve vegan food in handy. Trust us you will need it.
- Budget: Now, making a lifestyle shift can be a little stressful at times. Have your budget in order. Remember that you don’t have to follow exquisite diet fads that someone else preaches. You can live sustainably within your current budget too.
- Enjoy: Don’t be pressurised! It is your body. It is your lifestyle. Until and unless you take accountability for yourself and have fun in the process, it is useless. Read up more about veganism and enjoy the process!