What Is Veganuary & Why Try It This January (2025)

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Every January, millions worldwide embrace the challenge of going vegan for 31 days.

Veganuary is a growing movement, which inspires people to explore a plant-based lifestyle for one month.

But what exactly is the point of Veganuary, how to join, and why should you? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Veganuary?

Veganuary is an annual campaign encouraging individuals to commit to a vegan diet for January.

The idea is simple: for one month, you should avoid all animal-derived foods – like meat, dairy, and eggs – and instead, choose plant-based alternatives.

Whether you’re a lifelong meat-eater or a curious foodie, Veganuary offers a supportive, judgment-free way to explore veganism.

The origins of Veganuary

Veganuary was founded in 2014 by Jane Land and Matthew Glover, who wanted to make it easier for people to try veganism. They believed that January, a time for resolutions and fresh starts, was the perfect opportunity to inspire change.

The first campaign was in 2015, with 1,280 people signing up. Fast forward to 2023, 706,000 participants from nearly every corner of the world signed up through the official website!

While it launched in the United Kingdom, Veganuary has now expanded into an international movement, and each year, more and more countries join in.

Because of the support of ambassadors such as Joaquin Phoenix and Alec Baldwin, Veganuary’s message has reached a wider audience in the past few years.

Participation in numbers

While sign-ups on the website provide an official count, it’s estimated that ten times more people participate unofficially. Here’s a closer look at the numbers:

2015: The first Veganuary saw 1,280 sign-ups.
2021: Over 582,000 people signed up, marking a major milestone for the campaign.
2022: Participation increased further with 629,000 sign-ups.
2023: The campaign reached new heights with 706,000 official participants signing up through the website.
2024: Veganuary directly supported more than 1.8 million people to try vegan for a month.

In 2023, women made up the majority of sign-ups. Surveys revealed that the primary motivation for participating was animal welfare, followed by personal health and environmental concerns.

Why do these numbers matter?

The rapid growth of Veganuary highlights a global shift in attitudes toward food, sustainability, and compassion for animals. Each year, more people are inspired to explore the benefits of a plant-based diet, proving that small changes can have a significant collective impact.

The Impact of Veganuary

Veganuary isn’t just about trying a plant-based diet for 31 days – it’s a movement that creates lasting positive change for individuals, animals, and the planet. It has huge positive personal, environmental, and animal welfare impacts.

Personal impact

Many participants report increased energy, better digestion, and weight loss during Veganuary. (1, 2, 3) A plant-based diet is also linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. (1, 2, 3)
Veganuary is a chance to discover exciting new recipes and ingredients. It’s a delicious journey from creamy oat milk lattes to hearty jackfruit tacos.
While processed vegan products can be pricey, a diet focused on staples like beans, lentils, rice, and vegetables isn’t expensive, and can even save money.

Animal impact

By decreasing animal product consumption, Veganuary helps reduce the demand for industrial farming practices.
Participants often become more aware of the realities of animal agriculture and share this knowledge, amplifying its effect.
It’s estimated that one participant can save the lives of 30 animals by going vegan for a month.

Environmental impact

The climate impact of plant-based foods is typically 10 to 50 times smaller than that of animal products, so switching to a plant-based diet could help reduce emissions.
Animal agriculture is a leading cause of deforestation. Switching to plant-based foods helps protect rainforests and other critical ecosystems.
Eating plants instead of animal products saves thousands of liters of water. Reducing animal agriculture minimizes water pollution from manure runoff and antibiotics.
Plant-based diets require far less land, preserving forests and wildlife habitats.

Industry impact

Veganuary is a great force that’s encouraging businesses to adapt and innovate by:

Restaurants and cafes feature more plant-based menu options.
Supermarkets stock a growing variety of vegan products.
Companies use Veganuary as a launchpad for new items, boosting the availability and accessibility of plant-based alternatives worldwide.
From fast-food chains to high-end restaurants, Veganuary has normalized vegan options on menus, making them widely accessible year-round.
Companies are investing in plant-based and lab-grown meat products to meet rising demand.

Tips on starting Veganuary

Here are a few tips that will help you to make your Veganuary experience fun and stress-free:

Sign up on the official Veganuary website. You’ll get access to free resources like meal plans, recipes, and tips to keep you on track.
Plan your meals. Stock up on plant-based essentials like lentils, beans, tofu, fresh veggies, and plant milk.
Try new recipes to keep things exciting. There’s an abundance of online resources to inspire you.
Experiment with meat and dairy substitutes. Find plant-based alternatives to your favorite animal-derived products, for a more smooth and easy transition.
Keep it simple. Focus on easy, naturally vegan foods like pasta, stir-fries, soups, and salads.
Start small. Swap cow’s milk for almond or oat milk in your coffee or try a meat-free dinner a few nights a week.
Join online groups or forums for Veganuary participants. Sharing your journey with others makes it easier and more fun! Use Apps like Is It Vegan?, abillion, or HappyCow to help identify vegan-friendly options.

Veganuary: FAQ

If you’re curious about Veganuary or considering joining, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help you get started.

How many people do Veganuary?

More than 700,000 people from 228 countries joined Veganuary 2023. (this excludes all the people who took part in Veganuary without signing up on the Veganuary website.)

Who can participate in Veganuary?

Veganuary is for everyone, whether you’re vegan-curious, a seasoned vegetarian looking to go fully vegan, or just someone eager to try new things.

How do you prepare for Veganuary?

It will be best if you spend a few days getting prepared and stock up on some vegan foods. Ahead of time, think of your first day’s meals. Then, fill your pantry with vegan staples like beans, lentils, rice, tofu, plant-based milk, and fresh veggies. Get excited and find cool vegan recipes with Gaz Oakley, Pick Up Limes, Rainbow Plant Life, Oh She Glows, etc.

Signing up is free and simple, all you need to do is visit the official Veganuary website to register. You’ll gain access to meal plans, recipes, and other resources to guide you through the month.

What foods can I eat during Veganuary?

For 31 days, you’ll have plant-based foods, including:

Fruits and vegetables
Nuts and seeds
Grains like rice, quinoa, and oats
Legumes like beans, chickpeas, and lentils
Plant-based proteins like tofu, tempeh, seitan, or vegan ‘meats’
Dairy alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, plant-based yogurt, etc.

What should I avoid eating?

Avoid all animal-derived products, including:

Meat, poultry, and fish
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter
Eggs
Honey
Gelatin and other animal-based additives

Is vegan food expensive?

Many staple vegan foods like rice, beans, lentils, and vegetables are cheaper than a lot of animal products. While some processed vegan products can be pricier, they’re entirely optional and you can do Veganuay without them. Planning and cooking at home can help you save money.

What if I make a mistake?

That’s fine! Veganuary is about trying your best, not about being perfect. If you accidentally eat something non-vegan, don’t stress – just pick up where you left off and keep going.

Can I eat out during Veganuary?

Of course! Many restaurants offer vegan options, especially during Veganuary. Look for plant-based dishes on menus or ask for modifications. Apps like HappyCow can help you find vegan-friendly places nearby.

Will I get enough protein on a vegan diet?

Easily. Plenty of plant-based foods are rich in protein, such as:

Lentils, beans, and chickpeas
Tofu, tempeh, and edamame
Nuts, seeds, and nut butter
Whole grains like quinoa and oats

Related post: Best vegan substitutes for meat

Do I need to supplement for Veganuary?

Most nutrients can be easily obtained through a vegan diet, except for B12. But you can find it in fortified foods like plant milk, cereals, nutritional yeast, and Marmite.

However, if you want to be 100% sure you’re getting enough, taking a daily B12 supplement is the safest way to avoid deficiency.

It’s worth noting that B12 deficiency isn’t unique to vegans – many non-vegans often need supplementation, too. This is because B12 isn’t made by animals but by bacteria, and even animals in factory farms get supplemented B12 through their feed.

As for other nutrients like protein, calcium, and iron, they are all abundant in plant-based foods, so a varied vegan diet will have you covered.

What happens after Veganuary?

That’s up to you. If you find yourself enjoying the benefits of a vegan diet and decide to stick with it for a bit longer, you can do that. Or you can simply incorporate more vegan dishes in your daily life and use Veganuary as a stepping stone to reduce your consumption of animal products throughout the year.

How does Veganuary benefit animals, the environment, and health?

Reduces the demand for animal products, saving lives and promoting cruelty-free practices.
Helps lower carbon emissions, saves water, and reduces land use.
May improve digestion, increase energy, and lower the risk of chronic diseases.

No, but signing up on the Veganuary website gives you access to helpful resources and community support to make your journey easier and more enjoyable.

Can I join Veganuary after January has started?

Sure. You can start Veganuary any time. While January is the official month, the campaign encourages veganism whenever you feel like trying it out. The idea is to try going vegan for one full month.

How can I encourage others to join?

Share your journey on social media, talk about your experiences with friends and family, or invite them to join you in trying new vegan recipes. The more, the merrier!

Can I be a bit less strict?

Sure. Veganuary is about exploring a plant-based lifestyle and doing your best, not about being perfect. If going fully vegan feels overwhelming, or you think you simply can’t make it by going 100% vegan, you can start by swapping out a few meals each week or focusing on reducing your consumption of specific animal products.

Related post: Going Vegan: A Gradual Beginner’s Guide

How many animals are saved by one person going vegan?

It’s estimated that you can save the lives of 30 animals by going vegan for a month.

Summary

Veganuary it’s about exploring new ways to live more sustainably and compassionately. Whether your goal is to improve your health, reduce your environmental impact, or make choices that align with your values, Veganuary provides the perfect opportunity to start.

It is a fun challenge you can embark on in January (or any other month), and join the growing global movement that has inspired millions of people and transformed how businesses think about plant-based options.

Are you ready to join the movement and see how a plant-based lifestyle can positively impact your life?

What Is Veganuary & Why Try It This January (2025)

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