Veganuary, Will You Take The Challenge?

Veganuary is aimed at inspiring people to try going vegan for January. 

What Is Veganism?

As described by The Vegan Society, ‘Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. There are many ways to embrace vegan living. Yet one thing all vegans have in common is a plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish and insects), dairy and eggs – as well as products like leather and any products tested on animals.

Aren’t Vegans And Vegetarians The Same?

No, vegetarians commonly choose to eat eggs and dairy as vegans would not. However, both would not eat meat or fish. Not to be confused with pescatarians who abstain from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish. In recent years we have seen pescatarians increase as more people are phasing out meat before adopting a full vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

What Do Vegans Eat?

Quite a lot it would seem. Although the phrase ‘plant-based’ doesn’t exactly conjure images of mouth-watering cuisine, once you start researching recipes you’ll discovered that there is a whole new culinary world waiting to be explored.

Many well-known products are vegan and we’ve listed some of the most popular below.

• Dry pasta.
• Baked beans. 
• Tinned spaghetti. 
• Most fresh bread.
• Peanut butter.
• Ketchup.
• Bisto gravy: original, reduced salt, vegetable and onion.
• Mustard.
• Branston pickle.
• Rice.
• Rice noodles.
• Hummus.
• French fries: if cooked in veggie oil then they are vegan.
• Porridge: when made with water or plant milk.
• Crumpets.
• Bagels.

• Doritos: chilli heatwave and lightly salted.
• Oreos: original.
• Fox’s: dark chocolate chunky cookies and party rings.
• Pringles: original, paprika and BBQ.
• Mr Kipling: treacle tart, jam tarts, apple and blackcurrant pies.
• McVities: fruit shortcakes, original and choc chip hobnobs, gingernuts, light rich tea.
• Ritz Crackers: original.
• Belvita Breakfast Tops: choco hazelnut.
• Kettle Chips: sea salt, sea salt and balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper.

Why Go Vegan?

Upon my research I found that many vegans had decided to go vegan because of their love of animals, this wasn’t the only reason but for many it was the key motivator. For others their health played a key factor. Adopting a plant-based diet is one of the healthiest diets, many vegans report lower blood pressure and cholesterol than non-vegan. Some research has also shown vegans to have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer. For many vegans’ environmental issues were also a concern, with so much land needed for cattle farming, deforestation and its impact on global warming continue to be a concern.

Well Known Vegans

Many celebrities have adopted a vegan lifestyle such as, Brad Pitt, Lewis Hamilton, Woody Harrelson, Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Jared Leto, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Lopez to name a few.