So, is 2022 the year you finally take the plunge and attempt to do Veganuary? It can be quite a daunting prospect, especially, if you are a fully fledged carnivore! Going meat and dairy-free is obviously a major uptaking, so many people use Veganuary as a way of testing the waters to see if the major life-change is for them. In 2020, alone 400,000 people in the UK participated in Veganuary. 

Here at Willowbrook Foods, with our years of experience in the Northern Ireland Food Industry and our expertise in the benefits of eating healthy, Veganuary is something we love to see our customers getting involved in. The benefits of Veganuary are endless- you get to learn more about the diet, do your bit for the planet and reap some of the health benefits. From our headquarters here in Killinchy, County Down, we produce a wide range of vegetables, perfect for the Veganuary challenge. At least, you don’t have to cut out potatoes from your diet for Veganuary? 

Here’s all you need to know about Veganuary:

What exactly is Veganuary? 

Veganuary is an annual vegan diet challenge which takes place throughout the month of January. The concept began to gain public interest in the UK in 2014. Currently, there are 150,000 vegans in Ireland, with the new Vegan trend taking off with many millennials. The participation rate of Veganuary has more than doubled every year since it began. 

The Benefits of Veganuary 

Adding even a small aspect of veganism into your diet can have huge benefits on not only your own personal health, but the wider environment. While the benefits can vary wildly from person to person, there are many benefits to a vegan diet. Some of the most common reports include weight loss, reduced cholesterol and blood sugar levels, improved digestion, and clearer skin. 

Vegan Dinner Ideas

January can be a long month, even without having the hassle of trying to think of new vegan meals to cook to maintain your Veganuary challenge. However, you can make your favourite meals but just with some easy vegan alternative ingredients! 

–Tacos: simply swap out chicken and fill your tacos with veg and beans, pickled onions, salsa, avocado and yogurt alongside, and let everyone build their own.

–Pizza: a delicious plant-based pizza is actually quite similar to the standard pizza, just swap out cheese, for some creamed sweetcorn to make a great saucy base for fried mushrooms or peppers! 

–Mushroom Risotto: Typically, filled with butter and cheese, risotto is well known for its comforting and indulgent qualities. A vegan mushroom risotto is filled with dried porcini mushrooms, chestnut mushrooms and parsley.  

From everyone here at Willowbrook Foods, we hope you enjoy the challenge! Don’t forget to use some of the products in our range to help you create those tasty, vegan meals.