It’s that time of the year when hundreds of thousands of people are gearing up to join Veganuary – the global phenomenon encouraging people to try vegan for January and beyond.
If you need some words of encouragement for taking on the challenge, Veganuary’s celebrity ambassadors have shared their top tips to get you started.
Jasmine Harman, TV presenter
For many, cheese can be one of the hardest foods to get past when eating a plant-based diet – something that TV presenter Jasmine Harman knows only too well. Jasmine took part in the first ever Veganuary back in 2014 and was a self-confessed cheese addict. She recommends trying cashew-based cheeses to tackle this hurdle. “Think of it as being a completely different cheese, something you’ve never tried before that’s not trying to pretend to be anything else,” she suggests. By viewing it as a new food entirely instead of a substitute for something else, you won’t be disappointed if it doesn’t taste like dairy.
Chris Packham, naturalist and broadcaster
TV presenter and environmentalist Chris Packham took part in Veganuary 2019 and suggests a gradual approach, which can be far less intimidating for beginners. “You don’t have to go cold turkey,” he advises. “If you’re eating meat seven days a week, try cutting back to five.” By easing into eating more plant-based dishes, it becomes more sustainable and manageable. Chris also highlights the value of finding online communities where you can find support, tips and encouragement from others in the same boat.
Deborah Meaden, entrepreneur
Not sure where to begin with meat alternatives? Entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden is part of the class of Veganuary 2020. She has found that certain products can be surprisingly convincing, which makes the transition so much easier. Her favourite is This! Isn’t Roast Chicken, which she says is so similar to the real thing that guests often can’t tell the difference. “Most of the chicken alternatives – particularly the breaded products – honestly, you couldn’t tell they are not chicken,” she shares. “I have served them many times without people noticing!”
Peter Egan, actor
Actor and animal campaigner Peter Egan did Veganuary in 2016 and emphasises the importance of having a strong personal motivation for taking part. “My best tip to anyone who is considering giving Veganuary a try is to keep an open mind and know precisely why you are doing it,” he shares. For him, thinking about the cruelty involved in animal agriculture made the shift a no-brainer. “Vegan food is delicious, and the variety of choices is just amazing,” he explains. Keeping an open mind and trying lots of different plant-based foods is key!
Melody Kane, DJ
DJ, presenter and fitness enthusiast Melody Kane offers perhaps one of the most practical tips for those joining Veganuary: preparation. “Prepare, prepare, prepare,” she says. She thinks the hardest part of eating vegan at first is when you’re busy or dealing with hunger gremlins. “When those moments happen it’s so easy to just grab something that’s in our cupboard or quick and easy to access, and many times that option isn’t going to be vegan,” she shares. Her solution? Keep the cupboards stocked with vegan-friendly snacks like Nak’d bars, Deliciously Ella products, dried fruits and nuts.
James Moore, actor
Taking on a challenge like Veganuary can come with the pressure of feeling like you have to be perfect. Emmerdale actor James Moore encourages people to see Veganuary as a fun challenge, with the added benefit of surprising yourself along the way. “You don’t know what it’s like until you try, and you don’t know what you can do until you try,” he explains. For James, it’s the small swaps that start to feel automatic over time – like choosing oat milk instead of dairy or choosing plant-based meat alternatives without a second thought. “You might even end up preferring those choices.” He adds, “And what’ve you got to lose anyway? If you only do it for a month, it’s only a month, but it will have made a massive difference!”
With these practical tips from Veganuary ambassadors, you can set yourself up for a great month of exploring new recipes, trying new products and learning about our food systems. So why not take part, even if it’s just for January? You might just discover a lifestyle shift that lasts far beyond the month!