From smileymovement.org
A new month calls for new challenges and new ways to find a footing for the year ahead. Veganuary is one of the most popular take-ups that people throw themselves into when attempting to try new things and explore other lifestyle choices. In 2025, Veganuary reported over 25 million people participated in the global campaign.
While the numbers keep rising since its inception, it’s equally good to see how we can move beyond the month and make things more permanent.
Well, lucky for you (and us), Eco Centre’s Founder, Steve Howell has come up with a top 5 tips on how to keep the vegan energy going beyond the campaign. You don’t have to fully commit to veganism, but incorporating a few more vegan meals in your life makes a massive difference.
Before we get into Steve’s top tips, let's first introduce you to the Eco Centre.
The Somerset-based charity is on a mission to make eco and sustainable living more accessible. Their work focuses on empowering people to take practical actions to reduce greenhouse emissions and working together with our communities to protect the environment.
You may have heard of them from one of our previous articles on their crowdfunding campaign for their Eco-Save app. This app will act as an essential tool to make more eco-conscious decisions that will have a positive impact on your lifestyle and contribution to Read more to learn about it here.
Let’s get to Steve's advice:
1. Meat swaps that actually deliver on flavour
Cutting back on meat can feel daunting, particularly when protein and taste are top of mind. The good news? Today’s plant-based options are far better than their beige, rubbery reputation.
Soy- or pea-based mince works beautifully in classics like bolognese, chilli and tacos – once it’s simmered with tomatoes, herbs and spices, you’ll barely notice the difference. Lentils, beans and mushrooms offer a deeply satisfying, earthy bite in curries, pasta and rice dishes, while newer players like slow-grown mushrooms bring a genuinely “meaty” texture.
Tofu is endlessly adaptable when properly seasoned, and modern vegan sausages, burgers and wheat-based seitan now stand up confidently in wraps, casseroles and stir-fries.
Steve suggests:
2. Cheese alternatives worth your time
Let’s be honest: cheese is often the hardest habit to break, and vegan versions can be wildly inconsistent. But some categories shine. Cream cheese alternatives are the most reliable, with plant-based versions offering the same spreadable comfort on bagels and flatbreads.
Meltable cheeses have also come a long way, working particularly well on pizzas, toasties and burgers. Cheddar-style alternatives remain tricky, but a few now deliver surprisingly authentic flavour and texture. And if comparisons are still proving difficult, there’s freedom in skipping cheese altogether – hummus, tahini, pesto, avocado or plant-based mayo often bring more flavour and freshness than cheese ever did.
3. Dairy-free milk without the guesswork
Plant-based milks are everywhere now, which is both a blessing and a curse. The trick is choosing the right one for the job.
Oat milk is the crowd favourite: creamy, slightly sweet and excellent in coffee and cereal, especially barista-style versions.
Soy milk remains the most versatile all-rounder, with a high protein content that makes it ideal for baking and cooking.
Coconut milk shines in desserts and curries, adding richness and depth, while almond milk is lighter and works well in smoothies and porridge. Once you stop expecting one milk to do everything, the options start to make sense.
4. Simple swaps for cream, butter and eggs
Replacing dairy staples is now refreshingly straightforward. Plant-based creams made from oat, soy or coconut perform well in soups, sauces and desserts, while vegan butters are almost indistinguishable from dairy in baking – and perfectly good on toast.
Ice cream, too, has had a glow-up, with dairy-free versions offering the same indulgence without compromise. Eggs are a little more situational, but flax or chia “eggs”, applesauce or mashed banana work brilliantly in baking, while tofu seasoned with turmeric and spices makes a convincing scrambled alternative. These swaps tend to win over even the most sceptical guests.
5. Think addition, not deprivation
The easiest way to make plant-based eating stick is to stop chasing perfect replicas. Instead of focusing on what you’re giving up, add more naturally plant-forward cuisines to your rotation – Indian, Middle Eastern and many Asian dishes are rich, satisfying and often vegan by default.
When eating out, a little planning goes a long way: many high street restaurants now offer genuinely good vegan options, with some boasting full plant-based menus. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Every swap makes a difference – for the planet, for animals and often for your wallet too.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Eco Centre. A UK-based sustainability charity helping people and businesses reduce their environmental impact while saving money. Through practical education, community projects and digital tools, it empowers households to take affordable, everyday action on climate change. Learn more here.
Practical Action. An international charity working across Africa, Asia and Latin America to tackle poverty and climate change together. It supports communities with practical, low-cost solutions for clean energy, sustainable food systems and climate resilience, helping people improve their lives while protecting the planet. Find out more here.
Rewiring America. A US non-profit focused on electrifying everything, from homes to transport, to lower energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. The organisation helps households understand the financial and climate benefits of clean energy, particularly for low- and middle-income communities. Discover their work here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing, Climate Action.
Photo credits: Eco Centre
https://smileymovement.org/news/veganuary-isnt-over-the-flavour-first-guide-to-plant-based-swaps
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