Vegans replace January with ‘Veganuary’

That’s right; it’s Veganuary (pronounced vee-gan-uary) this month – a campaign first launched in 2014 that encourages people to try vegan for January.

The global charity by the same name says it is “dedicated to changing public attitudes, while providing all the information and practical support required to make the transition to veganism as easy and enjoyable as possible”.

It adds: “Veganism is one of the most effective choices a person can make to reduce the suffering of animals, help the planet and improve personal health.”

Veganism is a life style choice that sees a person permanently ditching a meat-based diet for a plant-based one.

Why January?

Charity founders Jane and Matthew believe that it’s far more likely for participants to successfully maintain their pledge to Veganism, and make it permanent one, during this month when annual resolutions are made than at any other time of the year.

And Veganuary seems to be catching on too given a quick Google search that returns over 36,000 results.

Its website, Veganuary.com, reveals that participation has increased by a staggering 600% in just two years from 3,000 in 2014 to 23,000 in 2016.

According to results of a survey published last year, 81% of these 23,000 are said to have confirmed their intention of maintaining the changes they made during their vegan month.

The stats for gender and age profiles also bear interesting reading with Veganuary proving to be “most appealing to women”.

And though about half of participants were between the ages of 25 and 44, with almost a third under 25 and over a fifth being over 44, relatively few were under 18 or over 54.

Veganuary has estimated that “as many as 3.8 million animals could have been spared from a life of misery as a result of January’s efforts” last year.

Eating Out – Biggest Challenge

The site also revealed that the greatest challenge faced by participants during this month was eating out.

But with Veganism said to be on the rise, more and more restaurants and eateries are beginning to take note of this trending life style choice.

Veganuary.com even has an Eat Out page with a restaurant guide, including deals and offers, with currently 57 participants offering vegan-oriented dishes.

Even meat-oriented restaurants like the well-known burger business Handmade Burger Company recently introduced these four vegan burgers: Cajun Vegetable and Bean, Veg-Mex, Sweet Potato and Bean, and the Thai Vegetable.

In fact, next month will even see What the Pitta – an entirely meat-free kebab business – open London’s first permanent restaurant in Boxpark Croydon offering not just Vegan Doners but even Vegan Baklavas.

Viva Veganism, it seems!