As we step into the New Year, many of us may be thinking about new ways to boost our health or looking to change our lifestyle habits.
Our wellbeing programme, along with many of our colleagues, are supporting the Veganuary challenge this year, choosing plant based foods and considering ways to help the environment. Our colleagues Denise, Emily and Jane, share their reasons for taking on the Veganuary challenge this year.
Why did you take on the Veganuary challenge this year?
Denise: To be a little healthier and to give us a fighting chance of staying healthy and support our immune systems. It’s also good to try new things.
Emily: I would like to improve my health following two lockdowns, and now being in a further lockdown, but also due to the environmental benefits the reduction of meat and dairy consumption has.
Jane: I’ve done it a few times before and really enjoyed it. I find it’s an easy way to eat healthily after the excesses of Christmas.
How did you prepare yourself leading up to 1st January?
Denise: I’ve filled the cupboards with healthy plant based ingredients. We also ‘cavemanned’ our way through all the Christmas left over meats and cheese.
Emily: I made sure I had a food delivery sorted with lots of vegan products, I also discussed it with the family and made sure they were up for a change to dinners. The emails from Veganuary have also had lots of really useful hints and tips.
Jane: This year I actually spent Christmas and New Year with someone who is vegan so I think it’s not going to be too hard to carry on for a few more weeks.
What habits have you changed to help you complete the challenge?
Denise: It’s important to add flavour, not make it a chore and get loads of recipes ideas. We changed our milk; personally almond is my favourite and divine in coffee especially with a little extra tipple in it.
Emily: I have switched tea for fruit teas, as I find the plant based milks aren’t quite the same in hot drinks. I am meal planning a lot more and am getting used to checking labels on everything to ensure it is vegan. Hiding temptations, as there are still non-vegan items in the kitchen for the family.
Jane: There are great vegan foods in the supermarket like vegan burgers and sausages so I’ve made sure I’ve stocked up the freezer so there is always something good to eat on hand.
What would you say to those who have been thinking of doing the challenge but not quite signed up yet?
Denise: You may just enjoy it and become healthier – it’s a WIN WIN situation.
Emily: Get your household involved as much as possible to make it easier on you. We have agreed as a family that everyone can eat what they like in the day, but we all have a vegan meal together in the evening.
Jane: January is a tough month, especially this year. Eating well is something you can do for yourself that will make a real difference to how you feel. And it’s fun to do something new and different at the start of a new year. Vegan food goes just as well with wine so my advice is don’t try Dry January at the same time!
For more information on Veganuary, click here.