Every January you’ll probably see the word Veganuary floating around. It is a campaign that encourages people to try eating a vegan diet for the month of January which means no meat, fish, eggs or dairy. Anything that comes from an animal is off the table and to give plant based eating a go whether it’s for health reasons, environmental concerns, animal welfare or just curiosity.
For some people this is no big deal, they already love cooking with vegetables and trying out new recipes but if you’re someone who doesn’t exactly jump for joy at the sight of broccoli or spinach the thought of Veganuary might feel a little intimidating. The good news is that you don’t have to love vegetables to get through it.
Accept that potatoes are your new best friend!
Potatoes are the unsung heroes of Veganuary. Chips, roasties, mash, wedges, even a baked potato stuffed with beans is vegan and before you roll your eyes, think about it: you can eat them so many different ways in seven days and still not get bored. They’re cheap, filling and don’t taste remotely like the green stuff you’re avoiding.
Don’t fear the carbs!
Veganuary isn’t a low carb cleanse. Pasta, rice, noodles and bread are all still on the menu and while people might tell you that carbs are bad I’m here to tell you that carbs will help you survive.
Pasta with a tomato sauce and a sprinkle of vegan cheese, rice with curry, you can skip the meat, bulk it up with chickpeas or lentils, noodles stir fried with soy sauce, garlic and sesame oil is simple and tasty.
Get saucy!
If you’re worried that plant based meals are bland, sauces will save you. Vegans live and die by condiments. Think about it: hummus, salsa, guacamole, sweet chili sauce, peanut satay, curry sauces, vegan pesto are all delicious. You don’t even have to love the veg underneath if the sauce is carrying the meal. A blob of hummus can make carrot sticks bearable and drench a stir fry in teriyaki and suddenly it’s a proper meal.
Fake it till you make it!
We live in a golden age of fake meats. Vegan nuggets, burgers, sausages, you name it, someone’s made a soy or pea protein version of it. A lot of them are actually decent now too! I am a big fan of the Meatless Farm products and we often have the meatless mince as it just tastes better. So if you’re not ready to cuddle up with cauliflower start with what you know, meals that feel familiar just with a plant based twist.
Find your non veggie heroes!
Some of the tastiest vegan foods are not vegetables at all.
Beans & Lentils - They sound boring but throw them in a curry, stew or chili, and you’ll be shocked.
Tofu - It’s a bit spongy at first but if you fry it crispy and cover it in soy sauce it’s basically a nugget’s cousin.
Chickpeas - Not just for hummus. They’re brilliant roasted with spices, chucked into curries or made into falafel.
Peanut Butter - High in protein, spread it on toast, mix it in smoothies or just eat it with a spoon.
Breakfast!
Breakfast is the easiest meal to make vegan and options include: Porridge made with oat or almond milk, topped with fruit or even chocolate chips, toast with peanut butter and jam and smoothies.
Snacks are your lifeline!
You’ll get hungry and if you’re not prepared, that’s when you’ll start eyeing up non-vegan food. Keep snacks on hand such as: popcorn, tortilla chips & salsa, fruit, dark chocolate and roasted nuts.
Cheat!
There will be days when you can’t face another curry, stir fry, or bean based thing. That’s when you embrace the vegan junk food. A Greggs vegan sausage roll, fast food chains now do vegan burgers and nuggets and supermarkets have entire freezer aisle of vegan pizzas.
Sweet tooth salvation!
If desserts are your happy place you’ll be fine. Vegan ice cream, brownies, flapjacks and even cheesecake exist and lots of accidentally vegan treats are out there like Bourbon biscuits, Party Rings and Skittles!
Veganuary isn’t about perfection! If you slip up and eat something non vegan it doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it just means you’re human. The fact that you’re even giving it a go is a win. Doing Veganuary when you’re not a big fan of vegetables sounds like mission impossible but it’s really not. Between carbs, sauces, meat substitutes and snacks you can absolutely get through the month without turning into a salad.
Are you trying Veganuary this year?
