Going vegan for a month might sound like a challenge at first, but taking part in Veganuary can have huge benefits to your health and reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some of the reasons you should consider going plant-based this January.
It’s Good For You
Cutting out all animal products, even for just a month, can have a hugely positive impact on your overall health. Studies have found that a vegan diet can not only aid in weight loss but also reduce the chance of developing health issues such as cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes.
A well-balanced plant-based lifestyle provides you with all the nutrients your body needs, including protein, and it does so straight from the source; plants. This, in theory, reduces the amount of processed food you are eating, thus improving your health.
It’s Good For the Planet
Adopting a vegan diet has been proven to be one of the most impactful steps a person can take to tackle climate change and live a more sustainable lifestyle. This is because animal agriculture - which produces meat and dairy products - is the single largest human-caused source of greenhouse gases.
Plus, this industry also uses trillions of gallons of water every year, placing an enormous strain on the planet’s natural resources. It’s been estimated that you would save 5530 litres of water from just one day of not eating meat.
It’s Especially Good For Your Heart
Studies have found that vegetarian and particularly vegan diets tend to have far lower levels of saturated fats in them which, in turn, reduces the risk of developing heart disease.
In fact, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the Western world and a vegan lifestyle can offset this risk. Further still, a vegan diet can help to reduce high blood pressure, which is another leading cause of death.
It Could Boost Your Energy Levels
Meat and dairy, though typically good sources of protein, are some of the hardest food sources to digest, meaning your body has to use more energy to break them down. This is why it is common for people to feel sluggish after eating a meal dense in meat or dairy.
Vegan dishes cause no such issues, leaving more energy for your body to use to perform other tasks, without compromising on essential nutrients. They also tend to have less fat, and a build-up of fat in your arteries restricts blood flow to your muscles, leading to lower energy levels.
It Saves Animals
Tens of billions of animals and fish are killed every year for consumption and on top of that the animal agriculture industry displaces countless more. While some don’t consider the ethical implications of vegan lifestyles, it’s undeniably worth thinking about.
It Could Broaden Your Palate
Following a new dietary lifestyle, even just for a month, can introduce you to a plethora of new dishes, flavours and ingredients. Variety is the spice of life, they say, and Veganuary could be just the sort of shake-up your recipe range needs.
From sweet potato curries to cauliflower tacos, there are so many inventive vegan meals that can not only diversify your dish choices but also improve your cooking skills. If you find dishes you particularly love, you can add them into your meal cycle beyond Veganuary.
It’s Never Been Easier
More and more people are switching to a vegan lifestyle everyday and it is now an incredibly profitable industry. For this reason, major brands, restaurants and suppliers are constantly innovating vegan products.
There are countless vegan alternatives for things like cheese, chocolate, and even meats like steaks or burgers. Plus, it’s no longer a rarity to find vegan options on menus at restaurants and even fast-food outlets.
This makes it easier than it has ever been to follow a vegan diet, both in terms of the quality of food and the availability of it. You don’t need to give up your favourite foods to follow Veganuary, there are always suitable alternatives or ways of whipping them up yourself.
Online, there are a huge number of blogs, articles and resources on where to find the best vegan food and how to create the most delicious recipes.
Trying Veganuary
So, if you’re considering getting involved in Veganuary, there are plenty of reasons as to why you should take the plunge. A plant-based lifestyle can help you lose weight, improve your heart health, boost your energy levels and lower your blood pressure.
On top of all that, you will also be lowering your carbon footprint and helping create a more sustainable future for the planet. Veganism has grown at a rapid rate in recent years meaning transitioning over to it is a much easier process than you might think.
Provided you do your research and preparation, it’s likely you’ll experience many benefits by taking part in Veganuary and even develop some eating habits that you’ll carry forward into the future.
