How to stay plant-based after Veganuary

Veganuary is almost over – if you’ve given the vegan lifestyle a go over the first month of 2019, you might be wondering how to stick to it for the rest of the year. Going fully vegan can be a huge lifestyle change, but there are some easy things you can do to keep your commitment to veganism going for longer. If you’ve managed a month, you can become totally plant-based!

 

And even if you don’t fancy going full vegan, little changes for the long-term are great, too. Things like only buying organic eggs, swapping dairy milk for soya or nut drinks and having two or three plant-based days a week will make a difference. 

 

Here are our tips for sticking to a plant-based diet beyond January…

 

If you’re cooking the same few meals every week, a plant-based diet can soon feel boring and restrictive. Luckily though, there are loads of amazing vegan chefs out there, sharing their recipes to make veg more exciting. BOSH.tv on YouTube, @minimalistbaker on IG and @BootStrapCook on Twitter all share delicious, inventive vegan recipes that are easy to make at home. 

 

Accidentally eating something with hidden meat or dairy is a sure-fire way to knock your confidence and send your vegan journey grinding to a halt, so make sure you’re aware of what you’re eating. The easiest way to do this is to cook from fresh, but for anything in a packet – check the ingredients. @accidentallyveganuk on IG is a great resource for vegan products that you might not think you can have, too!

 

Going vegan can attract a lot of unwanted attention from friends and family members who don’t understand the appeal, so be prepared to explain your choice – and be bold in your defence! Being passionate about your reasons – whether they’re ethical, environmental, health-based or all of the above – and open about your decision is the best way to stop those annoying ‘but what about bacon?!’ comments. 

 

Tracking your progress from day one is a great way to stay inspired on your vegan journey. Set up a foodie Instagram, write down your fave recipes in a journal or just share snaps in the group chat – a visual diary of your progress means you can look back at where you started and see how far you’ve come. It’s also great for remembering those big hit recipes when you’re lacking in inspiration. 

 

Changing your lifestyle is a huge achievement, and it’s something that deserves reward every now and then! When you reach a particular milestone – two months totally plant-based, or cooking a meal your carnivore partner adores, for example – treat yourself to something nice. It could be a vegan chocolate brownie from your favourite café, or a non-leather notebook to record your recipes. Anything that makes you feel proud of how far you’ve come!