If you’ve ever been interested in becoming vegan, then Veganuary could be for you. This is where people only eat vegan products throughout January, therefore combining vegan and January to create Veganuary. It is run by a charity in England and Wales called ‘Veganuary’ and is all about inspiring people to try and go vegan throughout January and throughout the rest of the year.

In 2021, over 580,000 signed up to Veganuary and 98% would recommend it to a friend. The vision of Veganuary is to create a vegan world, and support and inspire people to go vegan. If you are interested in signing up for Veganuary, you can click the button below and get started today.

What is Veganism?

Veganism is a way of living that rejects all measures of animal mistreatment and cruelty, whether that is for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Due to this, the vegan diet does not include any animal products, such as, meat, eggs, and dairy. 

People choose to follow a vegan diet for several reasons, usually range from ethics and environmental concerns, but they can also be wanting to improve their general health by eating cleaner.

Types of Vegan Diets. 

There a several types of vegan diets, the most common include:

• Whole food: A diet where you consume a variety of different whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

• Raw food: A diet where you consume raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds or plant foods cooked below 48°C.

• 80/10/10: This is similar to the ‘Raw Food’ diet, however, it limits plans that are rich in fat, such as nuts and avocados. You would mainly consume raw fruits and soft greens instead. It is also referred to as the low-fat, raw food or fruitarian diet.

• Starch Solution: This is a low-fat, high-carb diet similar to the ’80/10/10’ diet although this focuses on cooked starches such as, potatoes, rice and corn instead of fruit.

• Raw till 4: This is a low fat diet inspired by the ‘80/10/10’ and ‘Starch Solution’ diet. You can only consume raw foods until 4pm, with the option of a cooked plant-based meal for dinner.

• The Thrive Diet: This is a raw food diet. You would consume plant-based, whole foods that are raw or minimally cooked at low temperatures.

What Foods to Avoid? 

So, if you are considering the vegan diet, you may want to know the detailed foods you cannot eat. Vegans avoid eating any animal foods, including foods that contain ingredients derived from animals, such as:

• Meat and Poultry: Beef, lamb, pork, veal, horse, organ meat, wild meat, chicken, turkey, duck, quail, etc.

• Fish and Seafood: All types of fish, anchovies, shrimp, squid, scallops, calamari, mussels, crab, lobster, etc.

• Dairy: Milk, yoghurt, cheese, butter, cream, ice cream, etc.

• Egg: Chicken, quail, ostrich, fish, etc.

• Bee Products: Honey, pollen, royal jelly, etc.

• Animal-Based Ingredients: Whey, casein, lactose, egg white albumen, gelatin, cochineal or carmine, isinglass, shellac, L-cysteine, animal-derived vitamin D3 and fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids.

What Foods to Eat? 

Now you know what foods to avoid, you want to know what foods you can include into your diet. These are health-conscious substitute animal products, with plant-based replacements, such as:

• Tofu, Tempeh and Seitan: High in protein and a good alternative to meat, fish, poultry, and eggs.

• Legumes: Foods like beans, lentils and peas are a brilliant source of nutrients.

• Nuts and Nut Butters: Source of iron, fibre, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E.

• Seeds: Good amount of protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp, chia, and flaxseeds are excellent.

• Calcium enriched plant milks and yoghurts: Perfect for reaching recommended calcium daily.

• Algae: Spirulina and chlorella are excellent sources of proteins.

• Nutritional Yeast: Simple way to increase protein intake within meals, or, add a cheesy flavouring.

• Whole Grains, Cereals, Pseudocereals: Great source of intaking complex carbs, fibre, iron, B-vitamins, and numerous minerals. Spelt, teff amaranth and quinoa are very high in protein.

• Sprouted and fermented plant foods: Ezekiel bread, tempeh, miso, natto, sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi and kombucha often contain probiotics and vitamin K2.

• Fruit and Vegetables: Of course, last but not least the most essential part of any vegan diet. The fruit and vegetables. These are an excellent way to increase nutrients. 

Suggested Supplements.

You may find you are missing out on certain nutrients whilst on a vegan diet, and therefore here are some supplements we recommend:

• Vitamin B12 + D3: Unived are a brilliant brand, which offer vegan supplements for anyone looking to increase their intake of a certain vitamin. They offer a B12+D3 vitamin here.

• EPA or DHA

• Iron

• Iodine

• Calcium

• Zinc

Suggested Snacks.

If you want to stay energized throughout the day, take a look through our suggested snacks:

• Fresh Fruit with Nut Butter

• Vegetables with Hummus

• Natural Yeast on Popcorn

• Roasted Chickpeas

• Nut and Fruit Bars

• Trail Mix

• Chia Pudding

• Homemade Vegan Muffins

• Edamame

• Dried Seaweed

Our Favourite Vegan Nutrition. 

Now, you may want to be fuelling with products that are suitable for vegans. We have created this list of our favourite vegan nutrition which any runner, cyclist, or all-round adventurer can consume during their next session.

Hüma Chia Energy – Energy Gel

This great tasting energy gel is made from chia seeds and is an excellent way to take on energy during your runs. There are a bunch of brilliant flavours to choose from, so we offer a trial pack to make it easier for you to find your favourite.

Tailwind Nutrition – Energy Drink

All you need, all day. Tailwind mixes with water to meet all your calorie, hydration, and electrolyte needs, without upsetting your stomach or making your taste buds revolt. Just toss it in a bottle or hydration pack, shake, and GO!

Beet IT Nitrate 400 – Supplement

Containing 400mg of natural dietary nitrate, this is perfect for any cyclist, runner or overall athlete looking to intake beetroot juice into their diet.