The biggest advantage of Veganuary? I have become much more interested and knowledgable on the topic of nutrition. Now I look more critically at the ingredients list in products and put them back on the shelf if necessary. I also cook a lot more myself and am better about including good-for-you foods like fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, seeds, grains, etc.
I haven’t noticed a huge health difference, though I did lose some belly fat. The biggest difference, however, was my skin: After a month of eating vegan, I definitely had clearer skin than before. This was probably due to the avoidance of dairy products, which—like sugar—can cause blemishes.
Also noticeable: I definitely felt I had more energy than before, even after hiking trips, long bike rides, and the like. After a workout I found myself ready to be active again more quickly than before.
Tips for eating vegan
Thinking about a vegan diet? Here are a few tips I learned that I’ll be taking into Veganuary.
Plan your 12 a day.
The be-all and end-all of a vegan diet is balance. Sure, spaghetti with ready-made vegan Bolognese is quick and easy. However, that won’t cover everything you body needs in a day. It’s particularly important for vegans to not just rely on vegetables and fruit. Beans and other legumes provide protein, while you can get good carbohydrates from whole grains. In his book How Not to Die, Michael Greger, MD, summarized 12 foods that should be included in a vegan diet every day. You can download that list here.
Take part in things like Veganuary.
You might find it easier to stick to your vegan diet if you have other like-minded people to talk to. If you try a 31-day challenge like Veganuary with a friend or two, you can check in with each other and share favorite reci