5 tips for Veganuary

If you’re looking to kick start the new year by focusing on your wellbeing, Veganuary can be a great way to get into the habit of consuming more of your five a day. Plant-based diets can encourage you to up your daily intake of the vitamins and minerals you need when done properly.

Maybe you want to see if you could give the vegan life a try, perhaps you want to incorporate more fruit and veg into your diet or maybe you’re looking to do something positive for the environment. Whatever your reason for considering Veganuary this year, we’ve got some tips to help you prepare and stick to your goal.

Prepare & plan ahead

The best way to stay on track for the month? Think ahead. If you’re heading out for the day, try to take some ready-made snacks with you. Plan your meals each week so you can gather the ingredients in plenty of time and fill your fridge with plant-based milk, cheeses and meat-free alternatives.

Get a friend involved

Research shows that we are most like the people who surround us this includes our daily habits and behaviours. If you can encourage a friend to take on the challenge with you, you have someone to share the experience with. You can both exchange recipes, tips and tricks to help keep you both on track.

Keep what you can

Many foods that you’re already eating will be suitable for a vegan diet such as bread, cereals, beans, fruits and vegetables. Do your research and make a list of vegan-approved foods that you like, which you can incorporate into your weekly diet. If you keep as much as your already eating as you can, it’ll be easier to stick to all the other foods that might change.

Don’t worry if you fall off track

It’s hard to completely overhaul your diet and eliminate entire food groups in a month. So don’t worry if you slip up here and there. It’s better to try and hop back on and keep trying than to abandon the ship altogether. Just move on and try your best to keep going, every meal counts!

Mix up the recipes

This new challenge is a perfect time to get in the kitchen and prepare something new. You can find plenty of good vegan recipes on Instagram, Facebook and a range of great websites. If you have Health Assured’s My Healthy Advantage app you can also find a fantastic range of recipes there too.