Vegan diet
What does the Veganuary really bring?
At the turn of the year, many plan to eat vegan for a month.
© Okrasiuk / Shutterstock.com
The New Year is a popular time for new ventures. That’s why many try the Veganuary. What does vegan January bring?
The turn of the year is a popular time for a new start and good resolutions. Healthier habits are high on many people’s lists. The Veganuary campaign is for everyone who wants to try a plant-based diet. The Veganuary has its origins in Great Britain, where it has received a lot of prominent support as a play on words made up of “Vegan” and “January”.
There has also been a German campaign since 2020. In this country, too, some celebrities take part: The doctor and science journalist Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen (54) is a big fan of a plant-based diet, and actor Hannes Jänicke (61) and ex-bodybuilder Ralf Moeller (62) rave about it. But what exactly does this vegan month bring and how do you keep it up? An overview.
That’s why the Veganuary is worth it
In January 2021, more than half a million people worldwide took part in the Veganuary. With impressive results: According to a study by Harvard University In the veganuary last year, almost 104,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent and around 6.2 million liters of water were saved. In addition, an estimated 3.4 million fewer animals were required for food production and thus saved from the slaughterhouse. Can these numbers be topped in 2022?
But a vegan diet also has a positive effect on your own health. According to nutritionist Dr. med. Petra Bracht, the first effects can be seen after just one day. “After 24 hours without meat, the intestinal flora changes towards better and healthier bacterial diversity. This has an immediate positive effect on the immune system. Digestion improves, sleep quality improves, and chronic inflammations heal, such as abdominal fat in rheumatic diseases gives way and chronic fatigue is slowly waning. Even the increased blood sugar improves, “she explains in an interview with the news agency spot on news.
According to a survey, Veganuary participants also noticed this in January 2021: Half said they had noticed the first health improvements after just 30 days. 40 percent of the surveyed participants planned to stay vegan; Almost everyone else stated that they would continue to incorporate vegan products into their diet after the Veganuary.
What needs to be in the shopping cart for the Veganuary?
If you want to avoid meat, fish, milk and eggs for a month, you should ensure that you have an adequate supply of nutrients and sufficient calorie intake. Otherwise cravings for the “usual” favorite foods will quickly follow. But if you prepare properly for the challenge, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts or legumes such as lentils and beans ensure sufficient protein. Tofu, chickpeas, almonds, and green vegetables provide calcium to the body. Spinach, oatmeal, quinoa and linseed provide iron, while vegetable oils such as linseed oil or walnut oil and chia seeds ensure sufficient omega-3 fatty acids.
A vegan diet is also becoming easier and easier for meat lovers, because numerous food manufacturers now have many interesting plant-based products on offer. From vegan hot dogs to pizza to fish fingers, numerous German companies are bringing new plant-based alternatives onto the market in time for Veganuary 2022. Delivery services and other catering companies are also participating in the vegan month with new products and campaigns.