Over 582,000 people took part in Veganuary at the start of 2022, breaking a hit-record, and numbers
are set to strike even higher this January. Whether you’ve already dabbled in a vegan diet or
have set the goal of going vegan for the first month of 2023, here are some top tips to help you along the journey…
Tip one: eat meals based on wholefoods
Contrary to what some might think, not all vegan food is automatically healthy. While the meat-free
market is booming, which is great for those taking part in Veganuary, with so many options of plant-
based ready meals it can make be easy to rely on processed foods. Try to avoid highly processed foods and instead, cook from scratch using wholefoods as much as possible. Making meals from single ingredient foods that have been processed as little as possible and are free from artificial additives will be much better for you.
Tip two: eat balanced meals
Rather than simply structuring meals around starchy carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice
or noodles, make sure to have meals that are well balanced, providing protein, healthy fats, and sources of fibre. While meat, fish and eggs are well known sources of protein, vegans can opt for lentils, chickpeas, pulses, tofu or good quality protein powders to get their intake. Healthy fats include olive and coconut oils or avocado, while fibre can be found in most fruit and veg as well as pulses and whole grains like oats.
Tip three: watch out for nutrients that could be lacking
It is possible to get the nutrients we need from a plant-based diet, but it can take more work to ensure you don’t end up deficient. For example, while some nuts and seeds contain omega-3 fats, they’re not converted to the active forms (DHA and EPA) which the body uses. Try functional testing and taking supplements based on what you are personally lacking. While vitamin D levels are commonly deficient across the UK population in general due to lack of sunlight, this is even more so amongst those on a vegan diet as the natural food sources of vitamin D come from animals (for example, dairy, eggs or fish). So, while everyone should be taking vitamin D throughout the autumn and winter months, it might be worth taking this all year round for vegans. Another vitamin that is harder to obtain on a vegan diet is B12, found mostly in animal products. B12 is crucial in keeping the blood and nerve cells healthy, so a supplement can be a quick, cost-friendly go-to for those on a vegan diet.
And of course, don’t forget its not just about what you’re putting into your body but also on it too. So, try to opt for some vegan body and skin care products too to cover all bases. We’d recommend our hero 18-in-1 Pure Castile Soap which is good for just about ANY cleaning task! Affordable, eco and multi-use, what more could you want. From just £2.79 per bottle and 10 scents available, there’s something for everyone.
Dr. Bronner’s is a family business committed to honouring the vision of our founder Dr. E.H. Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and by dedicating our profits to helping make a better world. “All-One!”