As we approach the New Year, lots of us are probably thinking of ways we can burn off the Christmas weight or maybe be a bit more active.

2022 saw nearly 610,000 people take the pledge to go vegan for the month but besides the challenges have you ever thought about the numerous benefits a Vegan lifestyle brings?

What is Veganuary?

Veganuary is a non-profit organisation that launched a challenge of the same name in 2014 to get more people to try a vegan diet for one month.

This means that you cannot eat, drink or use any animal products or by-products such as meat, fish, or dairy products. It also includes animal-derived ingredients including gelatine or certain fining agents used in certain wines and beers.

The organisation promotes going vegan as a way to “protect the environment, prevent animal suffering, and improve the health of millions of people”.

It conserves water

Millions of people around the world don't have access to clean water. Many more people struggle with periodic water issues. Livestock consume more fresh water than anything else, it takes 100 to 200 times more water to raise a pound of beef than it does to raise a pound of plant foods. did you know that cutting down on one kilo of beef saves 15,000 litres of water?

A vegan diet reduces energy consumption

Raising livestock consumes lots of energy, This is heavily due to the time duration it takes to raise animals as well as the food they consume that was grown on the land. Meat products have a long logistical process from start to finish and each step requires high levels of energy.

A plant-based protein, on the other hand, can be finished with 8 times less energy costs than meat-based.

A vegan diet will make you more healthy.

All the nutrients you need--and probably don’t get enough of--are provided by a vegan diet. Fresh vegetables, fruits and other vegan staples are teeming with nutrients that meat just doesn’t provide.

 Studies have shown that a vegan or vegetarian diet could help cut the risk of heart failure by 42&. You can get all the protein you need from peanut butter, quinoa, lentils, beans, and much more.

Protects 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

Supports Biodiversity

 Humans have destroyed 83% of wild mammals, and shifting to plant-based eating supports sustainable agriculture. It requires less land, reduces deforestation, and can improve soil health

It’s amazing how much better you feel when you eat healthy. If you don’t fancy trying Veganuary this year, why not see if you can cut down meat intake by 1 or 2 meals a week, any change is helping to benefit both the planet as well as yourselves!