It’s officially 2021, and that means New Year’s resolutions are in full swing. And what better way to kick off the new year than with Veganuary.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of starting a vegan diet, January is the month to do it. Anyone can do Veganuary, and it’s no big deal if you’re a little late to the plant-based party. But if you’re not accustomed to going meat-free or can’t imagine how you’ll survive for a month (or longer) without eggs or dairy, you might need some pointers. We know going vegan can be daunting at the beginning, so here are some of our pointers to help you…

How can I be sure I’m not eating animal products?

Vegans do not eat any food derived from animals and who typically does not use other animal products. To a vegan newbie, this might seem like a daunting list, but there are just as many, if not more, foods you can eat: all fruits, vegetables, beans, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Confusion is most likely to come if you’re eating pre-packaged foods, so you have to get into the habit of checking the ingredients list to make sure there are no animal-derived ingredients.

What should I do if I slip up?

Don’t beat yourself up if you accidentally eat something that contains dairy, or you take a not-so-accidental bite of your friend’s hot dog. These things happen.

When you have a vegan slip-up, it’s actually a great time to pause, reflect on what your goals are, and potentially come away with even more clarity about what you’re trying to do. For many, going vegan is not an easy process, so if your struggling then why not start by eating vegan 1-3 days a week and slowly build up.

What if I can’t cook?

You can find so many plant-based proteins in the aisles of your local supermarket. Take them home and explore a plethora of exiting new ways to introduce plant-based foods into your diet. Foods like tofu, black bean burgers, and nut butters are just a few excellent examples of plant-based proteins that can shift your plate.

You can find a vegan version of pretty much everything you’d eat on a meat-based diet: pizzas, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, tacos, pasta… you get the picture.

There are three main reasons people give for wanting to try vegan, and all are equally valid: to better protect animals, to reduce the impact on our planet (climate breakdown, deforestation, pollution, and wildlife decimation), and to improve their own health.

Are there health benefits to Veganuary? 

There are also many health benefits you’ll likely notice after you make the switch to a vegan diet.

Adopting a vegan diet can help you live a healthier and happier life, whether you want to lose weight or boost your energy levels. Weight loss aside, vegan diets are also beneficial for maintaining overall health. With a carefully planned diet, vegans can get all the nutrients they need to be healthy, such as plant protein, fibre and minerals.

By the end of the month, you’ll most likely notice a marked difference in how you feel, both physically and mentally, and in how you look! Especially if you make the effort to choose whole foods and other healthy plant-based options while avoiding anything packaged or processed convenience foods during your month-long Veganuary challenge.

Whether you’re wanting to change your eating habits in 2021 for a healthier lifestyle or for ethical and environmental reasons, we have you covered! At Dineindulge we pride ourselves on catering for all dietaries, so why not hire a Dineindulge private chef and try our vegan menu today.