For some, going vegan is an ethical decision; for others, it is about health. Studies have shown that, on average, vegans have a healthier Body Mass Index and lower cholesterol levels. What’s more, by going vegan, you can dramatically decrease your greenhouse gas emissions by half.

Every January people across the globe take the Veganuary pledge, and recent reports state that a whopping 550,000 people signed up last year – double the number of people who took part in 2019.

With this in mind, Belle About Town has spent the last month avoiding dairy and anything associated with animal produce. We’ve ‘done’ Veganuary – and this is what we learnt…

To Eat:

With 41% of last year’s Veganuary participants saying that cheese was the dairy product they missed the most, it is worth checking out the Violife range if you’re missing your cheese fix. Offering everything from a grated cheddar alternative to a cow-friendly camembert and fake Philadephia-style spread, Violife is one of the most versatile and sophisticated cheese-alternatives. Don’t set expectations too high, no alternative tastes truly like cheese, but the variety is impressive. We’d recommend steering clear of any fake cheeses for the first week, then slowly test some out to see what suits you best.

Meal delivery service tastily.co.uk sold double the amount of plant-based meals during veganuary this year as it did over the same period in 2021. The company delivers freshly cooked, vacuum packed chilled meals to your home as part of a meal subscription service, and there’s an amazing selection of vegan meals to choose from. We tried the meatless beef ragu pasta, a mouthwatering pumpkin curry, and an absolutely delicious vegan hoisin duck – all totally vegan and totally tasty too. The meals average around 500 calories per meal, portions are a good size, and they cook in three minutes! Tastily’s flexible, minimum commitment subscription means you can join them, order, eat, pause, change, and re-order at the touch of a button on the customer portal. 

Riverford organic fruit and veg suppliers offer weekly recipe boxes subscription with three 100% Vegan options every week. Customers receive a box containing recipe cards, pre-portioned ingredients and fresh produce sourced from Riverford’s award-winning British farms. The vegan lentil bolognese is a perfect choice to feed a hungry family.

Huera is a 100% plant-based high protein meat substitute brand that originated in Barcelona and recently reached the UK. Expect Mediterranean flavours and a bit more of a kick that your average meat alternative burger. Other great alternatives include tofu, seitan and tempeh, all of which can be flavoured, or other more processed but quick and easy options include Plant Pioneers at Sainsbury’s, Viva, Meatless Farm and The Vegetarian Butcher, all of which have proven delicious during Veganuary for us.

To drink:

Sproud (www.besproud.com) is a plant-based milk made to match the taste and nutritional profile of dairy milk and we have to say it’s the best we’ve tried. Kids will love the ‘chocolate milk’ which is sweetened with natural agave syrup and contains just 5% sugar, plus loads of added nutrients and vitamins. Sproud milks are made from yellow split peas, which is one of the most sustainable sources of plant-based protein, and 100% vegan. When compared to oat milk, Sproud contains double the amount of protein, and five times more than almond milk. Available through Waitrose, Amazon, and Ocado, the ‘Unsweetened milk’ contains zero sugar and offers the closest taste to semi-skimmed milk, with the same level of vitamins and minerals as skimmed milk. 

Naturya hot chocolate is just divine – and 100% vegan. This Great Taste Award winning indulgent and relaxing hot chocolate blend is made with Fairtrade cacao, maca and lucuma. High in copper it helps to support immunity, the nervous system and protection of cells against oxidative stress. To serve, simply add a warm milk-alternative.

When it comes to alcohol much is not vegan so look for specific information – all vegan wines and beers will state that they are so. Those that don’t state it probably aren’t! All supermarkets now offer a vegan range, or check out the Vegan Wine Box website which not only offers a range of 100% vegan wines, but also offers advice on what to look for when choosing a vegan wine, and explanations on how and why a vino is vegan.

Our absolute favourite vegan wine has to be Stoneleigh of Marlborough’s classic Sauvignon Blanc – a premium, vegan, 100% sustainable wine. A vibrant wine, Stoneleigh’s Classic Sauvignon Blanc is brilliantly intense with flavours of grapefruit, white peach and passionfruit with a scattering of tropical stone fruits. On sale for £10 in Sainsbury’s and Asda. 

To Snack:

Did you know that mainstream chewing gum is the second biggest cause of plastic pollution on our streets? Unlike regular chewing gum that is made with the same plastic used to make tyres and glue (typically hidden under the catch-all term ‘gum base’), OH MY GUM! is made with natural biodegradable tree sap called chicle – the original chewing gum ingredient.

To read:

If you’re still stuck for inspiration on what to eat, take a look at Great British Vegan by Aimee Ryan, a recipe book packed full of ideas on how to replicate your favourite meals but without the meat. We recommend you try the Millionaire Shortbread recipe, the results are amazing! From a basic vegan mince to artichoke ‘fishcakes’, plant-based Welsh rarebit, and a full Sunday Roast, this is a one-stop shop for anyone looking to venture into veganism for the first time. 

To use:

If you gave Veganuary a real go, you might not have realised that your beauty regime could also be affected. While testing on animals is thankfully not so common with brands any more, many still contain animal-derivative ingredients. If the product is vegan – it will tell you. If it doesn’t it’s unlikely to be! Recent research conducted by The Derm Review – who analysed ingredients lists of the top 100 UK best-selling skincare products – found that more than half (58%) contained synthetic ingredients. So, while more brands are joining the organic, vegan movements, not all manage to combine their ethical stance with product quality. However, here is our pick of the ones that do:

• For hair: The only skincare brand to use superfoods in all of its products, Smart Ass Beauty shampoo bars feature no synthetic or filler ingredients and only uses natural ingredients. The  brand’s latest launch is completely vegan and based on plant actives and includes the fabulous shampoo bars. The entire Smart Ass range is vegan and includes everything from soap and shampoo bars to face creams and room diffusers, well worth a browse of their online shop!
• For skin: Nereus London‘s luxury beauty care range has been carefully designed to deliver a superior natural product experience and is 100% vegan. Only fully recyclable, non-plastic and biodegradable materials are used and this luxurious range delivers a touch of class to your bathroom, but not at a cost to the environment.
• For Face: Freshly is a fabulous range that offers vegan products that don’t dip in quality. The Omega Rich Well-Ageing night cream is luxurious and rich without feeling heavy on the skin. Slather it on nightly and the Smart Hyaluronic acid capsules among six other potent vegan actives are what make the results visible after 28 days of use.
• For parties: OVP Beauty is a vegan makeup range, inspired by the Nigerian goddess Oshun. All products are certified cruelty-free and vegan.
• For kids: Brush-Baby (www.brushbaby.co.uk) offer a range of vegan-friendly, SLS and paraben-free toothpastes for little ones aged from newborn to 8 years of age. With flavours including applemint, strawberry and Tutti Frutti, they also supply eco-friendly toothbrushes for tiny teeth.

To Supplement:

In 2021 the University of Westminster published research that showed that people who took omega-3 capsules had a lower inflammatory response and less muscle damage after very intense exercise, compared to those who took a placebo. Muscle soreness was “significantly lower” in the group that took omega-3s. Omega-3s fatty acids, found in oily fish and plant-based products derived from marine algae and the British-grown weed ahiflower are well-known for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties: Omega-3s have long been proven to alleviate inflammatory conditions – from migraines, back pain, joint pain, anxiety, skin issues, weight gain, autoimmune conditions such as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, poor concentration and memory issues.

So for vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians – who are commonly deficient in the essential nutrient, omega-3 – doctors recommend consuming 250-500 mg per day. Even vegetarians who eat eggs and dairy foods only have an average daily intake iof 20 mg DHA per day. We tried Wiley’s Finest CatchFree – a mango-flavoured, Omega-3 rich ‘vegan fish oil’ that you can mix into meals such as desserts, smoothies and salads. It’s made from marine algae and the British-grown Ahiflower – a little-known but highly potent hedgerow flower, so works to up your Omega intake without consuming any animal products. Good news all round!

So there you have it – we survived Veganuary, and we honestly can admit to looking, and feeling, a lot healthier. Our skin is clearer and we’ve even shed a few extra pounds. The initial cheese and milk cravings subsided within a week or two, but don’t be fooled that veganising your life is easy. You’ll spend your first few weeks poring over ingredients lists and enviously eyeing other people’s pizzas, but that subsides and it does get easier as you settle into what you actually enjoy.

To Go:

Eating out doesn’t have to be a challenge. With more and more people following a plant based diet, most restaurants now offer a good choice of vegetarian, or even vegan options on their menu. Don’t forget that most restaurants are also happy to accommodate some small changes to your menu choices to ensure they are vegetarian or vegan – or in some cases prepare you something different from scratch – don’t be afraid to ask.

Did you try Veganuary? What worked for you? And what didn’t?! Comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.