Journey Through Veganuary: Why I’ve embraced it

One of the team at Onhealth took on Veganuary at the start of 2021 and hasn’t looked back since. We decided to ask Amy, our Digital Marketing Manager, about her journey through Veganuary and beyond…

Why did you decide to go vegan?

I had toyed with the idea of going vegan for a while before I made the leap and had already made an effort to eat more plant-based meals, but I decided to try Veganuary (2021) to see if I could last the month on a fully vegan diet.

One of the main reasons I wanted to go vegan was to reduce my impact on the environment, but another was that I don’t agree with the treatment of animals in the meat and dairy industries, and the more I think about what milk and eggs are and why they’re produced, the more off-putting I find them.

I thought it would be easier to make the change during January, as many supermarkets and food outlets seem to bolster their vegan offerings for Veganuary. That meant there were more food choices readily available, along with some vegan staples that I hadn’t previously come across, which made the transition easier and more convenient.

Did you find it easy to change your intake to a vegan one?

I did, but I think that was mainly because I had been a vegetarian since my teens, so I was only really cutting out dairy and honey – although it’s amazing how many things contain milk!

Over the last couple of years, there has been an increase in the number of brands offering vegan and plant-based alternatives, and those updating the labels on packaging to say that products are vegan, minimising the need to read ingredients lists before buying.

What proved most helpful on your journey through Veganuary?

Weirdly living alone made the transition much easier, as I was able to make sure any food in the house was fully vegan, along with any meals being prepared – plus it reduced the chances of being tempted!

What food stuffs were the biggest sacrifices/did you miss most in the early stages?

I thought cheese would be the hardest thing to ‘give up’, as before going vegan it made up far too much of my diet. But as with most things, once I’d gone without it for a week or so, I no longer craved it and now I don’t miss it at all.

Which vegan foods do you most enjoy?

I love vegetables, they’re so versatile and can be really tasty with minimal effort. Chickpeas have become a cupboard staple for me; they’re full of protein, fibre, iron, and other nutrients, and they’re great for bulking out curries, chilli and salads.

What benefits have you noticed?

I used to feel bloated and sluggish a lot of the time, but since going vegan both have become a rarity.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your journey through Veganuary?

With the vast amount of options available these days, it really is easier than you might think to go plant-based or vegan. If someone is thinking about going vegan but isn’t sure where to start, I’d say try adopting the 80:20 rule to ease the transition, then they can decide if they’re ready to make the switch. Either way, just making the effort to eat less meat and dairy will have a positive impact on not only your health but also the environment.

Oh, and don’t forget to supplement your diet with B12 fortified foods and/or vitamin supplements.