From metro.co.uk
Veganuary, the challenge to eat and drink vegan products for the whole month of January, comes to an end very soon.
We don’t yet know how many people signed up this year, but nearly 500,000 people joined the challenge in 2021, a figure expected to double this time around.
Many of us might want to try a plant-based diet permanently after a successful Veganuary, but struggle with where to start – after all, it’s a lot easier to overhaul your diet when there’s an end date in sight.
The familiarity and convenience of consuming dairy and meat products makes a permanent change seem daunting, and logical concerns over the climate or animal welfare go out the window when you imagine a life without cheese or bacon.
But – especially in this day and age – there are many ways of maintaining a vegan diet year-round, and incorporating changes into your everyday routine will see you fare better than doing anything drastic.
We asked James Collier from Huel for his top tips for maintaining a plant-based diet full time.
He says: ‘Veganuary is seen as a challenge, something to try to see how it feels, like a marathon. But, just like a marathon, most people don’t want to do it a second time.’
So, how can we change this mindset and promote a plant-based lifestyle after the challenge is over?
James has a radical suggestion: ‘Don’t do Veganuary. Drastic lifestyle changes are much harder to stick to in the long term compared to several small, sustainable tweaks over a greater period of time.’
Rather than going all in before falling back into old habits afterwards, he recommends switching a few small things in your diet (such as drinking plant-based milks, trying new vegetables, and reducing the amount of meat you eat) as preparation for going vegan later.
If you’ve already taken the plunge with Veganuary, however, you need to switch your mindset from seeing it as a chore or game to complete. Seeing veganism as a permanent lifestyle – your lifestyle – promotes lasting change.
‘The end of January doesn’t have to be the end of the positive changes you’ve made,’ says James, ‘but in the same breath, motivation alone isn’t going to be enough. A plant-based diet is no harder to follow than most other diets.’
This isn’t a case of rose tinted glasses, either. It really is easier than ever before to eschew animal products and still eat well.
James continues: ‘Plant-based alternatives like mycoprotein, mylks, and meat-like proteins mean you can cook the same way you did before.
‘If you’re a fan of one pan roasts, a plant-based diet doesn’t stop you doing that. The weekly stir-fry doesn’t have to go anywhere either.
‘Herbs and spices should also be your best friend, whether you follow a plant-based diet or not. Not only do they impart flavour but they also contain many nutrients that are beneficial for health.’
Most restaurants now offer plant-based options as well, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on social activities and seeing your friends.
Anecdotally, one of the most common reasons that vegans lapse is when they’ve been on a night out, craving a burger or cheesy chips to soak up the alcohol.
But even drunken junk food has had a vegan makeover in recent years, with chickenless chicken shops and fish-free chippies opening up across the country. Chains like Burger King and McDonald’s are also in on the trend, introducing new vegan menu items over the last few months.
If it isn’t the availability of vegan products that’s putting you off, perhaps it’s the price?
It’s a common misconception, but James says that plant-based diets are often cheaper than meat-based diets.
He explains: ‘Some of the cheapest foods, which happen to be super nutritious too, are lentils, chickpeas, beans and brown rice.
‘Additionally, it’s important to consider animal welfare, as cheap meat often compromises the living conditions of the animal.
‘A great move towards plant-based is by keeping the same food budget whilst buying higher quality meat, so those nutritious legumes come into their own.’
There’s no shame in not being able to go cold-turkey on your normal diet right away, and it’s even recommended to ease into the diet to make the transition easier on your body and state of mind.
If you feel like you can’t switch to vegan cheese right now, but are happy to forgo bacon, chicken, and milk, then take that small step instead of assuming it’s an all or nothing thing.
Remembering why you chose to try Veganuary should help you stay steadfast if you continue.
Considering the climate crisis, for example, gives you a sense of purpose that makes niggles seem insignificant.
Next time you reach for a ham sandwich over a hummus wrap, remind yourself of how this decision can positively impact your carbon footprint. No meal can save the environment, but a plant-based one has invariably wasted fewer precious resources (like water and food for animals) than a meaty one.
James says: ‘Focus helps narrow the mind, and bringing focus to the biggest issues affecting us also reveals that a plant-based diet is one of the solutions.’
Most important, however, is cutting yourself a little slack. Recognise your efforts thus far and don’t shame yourself or feel bad for slipping off the wagon.
We’re all human and all we can do is our best – for ourselves and our planet.
https://metro.co.uk/2022/01/28/how-to-maintain-a-vegan-diet-after-veganuary-15959105/
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