Survived Veganuary? Continuing Your Vegan Journey

Each January, millions of people pledge to make big changes in their lives. Some commit to an ambitious gym regime, while some strive to kick bad habits once and for all. According to Statistica, the most popular New Year’s Resolution in the UK for 2020 was to eat more healthily (44 percent of respondents) and a further nine per cent of respondents declared their ambition to become vegan or vegetarian.

This is no surprise. #Veganuary has received more hype than ever before, with big brands jumping on the trend and more people than ever taking the pledge.

In becoming more mainstream, veganism has managed to shake off some outdated stereotypes. No longer is our go-to archetypal vegan adorned with dreadlocks, harem pants and hemp products. Today, the dietary choice has stripped away the stereotype and is endorsed by people from all walks of life.

According to Dominika Piasecka, spokeswoman for The Vegan Society, “The image of veganism is undergoing the most radical change in its history, while shedding some tired old stereotypes”.

Thanks to the food industry, the beauty industry and the media, the face of veganism has changed and become more accessible and appealing to the masses. Here’s how:

Vegan Eating

If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed the surge of brand-new vegan fast food dishes that have been introduced. Chains including Pizza Express, KFC and Costa, have all made a big effort to introduce veganism to their food ranges, with roaring success.

Supermarkets have upped their games too, with all the main players creating their own plant-based ranges. Aldi has led the way with the introduction of a huge variety of vegan alternatives including the new Plant Menu range, featuring vegan sausage rolls, ready meals and pizzas as well as replacements such as Fishless Tuno. While replacements are tempting for former meat-eaters who find it hard to give up the idea of a meaty texture or flavour, others prefer to avoid altogether. And it must be pointed out that many of the processed alternatives out there have extremely high salt and sugar contents, meaning they are good for a treat but cooking from scratch is, as always, the best option.

If you’re looking to add a bit of flavour without the salt, try adding spices and herbs, or products like the Eaten Alive hot sauces which have been through the fermentation process meaning they are good for your gut, and work to spice up any meal.

It is the cheap, easy and not necessarily healthy aspect of these new products that is broadening the range of veganism. The fact that you can now stick to a vegan diet while still being able to occasionally indulge in fast food has made this dietary option far more appealing to the masses.

For those keen to cook from scratch but not sure where to start, recipe boxes can be a Godsend. Packed with organic produce and easy-to-follow receipes, buying a box every few weeks can keep you on the right healthy track and inspire you to experiment with your own ideas too.

Vegan Drinks

From wine and beer to juice shots and mixers, vegan drinking is easier than you might think. Cawston Press have launched a new sparkling water range infused with fresh juices, and B-Fresh juice experts now offer incredible juice shots to boost immune systems and energy levels with potent raw juice bottles. Most major supermarkets also now offer vegan wine and beer, but for top notch wine try the House of Townend vegan range. If cider is more your thing, Brothers Cider has earned the Vegan Trademark, signifying that all its drinks are free from animal products. The Vegan Trademark sets the global standard for authentic vegan products, and the sunflower symbol will begin to appear on Brothers, and sister brand Mallets Cider, labels and packaging over the next few months.

Vegan fashion

The fact that vegans are no longer viewed exclusively as hippies is also down to the growing world of vegan fashion. With footwear and beauty products leading the way, it is now easier than ever to dress ethically without compromising your individual style. According to Fashion United, vegan footwear accounted for 16 percent of the total UK market in 2018, up from 15 percent in 2017. Vegan trainers make up a large percentage of this and they allow vegans to take on a classic look rather than adhering to a stereotypically ‘vegan dress code’.

According to Google search trends, more people have Googled the phrase “vegan fashion” this year than ever before and the search trend has increased steadily since 2004. Clearly, more and more people are ready to take on the lifestyle change, but don’t want to sacrifice their fashion tastes. Luckily, they no longer have to!

Vegan Breaks…

While mastering the art of vegan can come into effect pretty quickly if you cook from scratch and visit dedicated vegan restaurants, holidaying can be more tricky. Download an app such as Happy Cow, Is It Vegan or the PETA app to guide you through choices in places where veganism might not be so prevalent.

Loads of tour operators now roganise and offer dedicated vegan trips, it’s always worth specifying during the booking process. For a real mini break treat we have heard the Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire is hard to beat. One of England’s oldest vineyards, they produce all their wine onsite from grape to bottle, and have this year introduced a fully Vegan menu that’s not just for January. Their wine is all Vegan too. Book a stay in a lodge overlooking the vines, and enjoy dinner at the onsite brasserie where they focus on locally sourced ingredients and simple, but delicious, food. Of course a full programme of wine tastings and tours are on offer during your stay. We’ve not been yet but will report back when we have as the word-of-mouth reviews are pretty amazing!

Debunking Veganism Myths

As well as major industry innovations, the societal perception of veganism is changing dramatically. Thanks to celebrity endorsement, media attention and popular documentaries such as The Game Changers, people now have a completely different image of veganism. No longer are vegans perceived as weak, or lacking vital nutrients, as these myths have been debunked by athletes and medical professionals. 

Thanks to these changes in perception and the fact that new products are being created all the time, veganism is more accessible than ever. People are no longer being put off by an outdated version of what they believe veganism to look like and more and more of us are giving this lifestyle a go!

• Have you attempted Veganuary? What worked for you? And what didn’t?! Join the conversation on our Facebook page or let us know in the comments below.