10 inspiring reasons to try Veganuary

As the New Year unfolds, many of us are looking for ways to improve our health, reduce our environmental impact, and make more compassionate choices. Veganuary, the annual initiative of adopting a vegan lifestyle for January, offers a structured and supportive approach to exploring these aspirations. Here are ten inspiring reasons to consider joining the Veganuary movement.

1. Help The Environment and Combat Climate Change

Adopting a vegan diet significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization states that livestock is responsible for 14.5% - 19.6 of global greenhouse gases [1]. Research from the University of Oxford found that people who follow a plant-based diet account for 75% less in greenhouse gas emissions than those who eat [2].

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2. Conserve Water Resources

Animal agriculture is a major consumer of water. Producing just 1kg of beef can require over 15,000 litres of water [3], whereas plant-based alternatives consume substantially less. By choosing a vegan diet during Veganuary, you can contribute to more water-efficient food choices.

3. Protect Animal Welfare

Veganuary is a stand against animal exploitation and cruelty. Each person adopting a vegan lifestyle saves nearly 200 animals per year, according to animal welfare organisations [4]. This shift in diet helps raise awareness about ethical food choices and animal welfare.

4. Discover New Foods

There are more than 400,000 kinds of plants we can eat on Earth [5], but we usually eat only a few of them. When you stop eating meat and dairy, which are about 5 types of food, you get the chance to try many more plant foods. Veganuary is great for trying new plant-based foods and flavours. Each year, more and more vegan foods become available, showing how popular and varied vegan eating is becoming. It's not just about what you stop eating; it's also about all the new foods you can start enjoying.

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5. Improve Your Health

A vegan diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, is linked to lower risks of heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. The British Dietetic Association recognises that vegan diets can be nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in disease prevention.

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6. Support Biodiversity

Humans just 0.01% of all life but have destroyed 83% of wild mammals [6]. Shifting to plant-based eating supports sustainable agriculture. It requires less land, reduces deforestation, and can improve soil health. Plant-based diets can reduce the impact on land use and biodiversity loss, a vital consideration in today's environmental landscape.

7. Fitness and weight management

A plant-based diet can aid in weight management. Studies have shown that vegan diets are more effective for weight loss compared to other diets, likely due to their lower calorie density and higher fibre content.

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8. Economic Benefits

Adopting a vegan diet can be economically beneficial. Staples like tofu, tempeh beans, grains, and seasonal produce are a lot cheaper than meat and dairy. This can lead to savings on your shopping bills, especially if you opt for whole foods over processed vegan alternatives.

9. Boosting Mindfulness and Compassion

Embracing veganism fosters mindfulness and compassion. It involves being conscious of the impact of our food choices on animals, the environment, and our health. This practice of mindfulness can lead to more empathetic and ethical decision-making in other aspects of life. Something we need more off for a better future for us all.

10. Join a Global Movement

Veganuary is a growing global movement, more than 500,000 participating each year. Joining means becoming part of a community committed to ethical, environmental, and health-conscious living.

In conclusion, Veganuary presents a unique and compelling opportunity to align your lifestyle with your values. Whether motivated by environmental concerns, animal welfare, health benefits, or simply the desire to try something new, the reasons to embrace a vegan lifestyle for January - and perhaps beyond - are both varied and compelling. As we step into the New Year, consider taking the Veganuary pledge and discover the positive impacts it can have on your life and the world around you.

Sign up to do the Veganuary challenge: https://veganuary.com/

References:

[1] - https://thebreakthrough.org/issues/food-agriculture-environment/livestock-dont-contribute-14-5-of-global-greenhouse-gas-emissions

[2] - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9024616/

[3] - https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/water-use-and-beef-what-we-know/

[4] - https://www.peta.org/living/food/top-10-reasons-go-vegan-new-year/

[5] - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/why-do-we-consume-only-a-tiny-fraction-of-the-world-s-edible-plants/

[6] - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/21/human-race-just-001-of-all-life-but-has-destroyed-over-80-of-wild-mammals-study