January is a great time of year to try something new (or so we're told!). And what better than to explore the wonderful offerings of a rich plant based diet with the help and the spurring of Veganuary, a well established annual tradition that spotlights the health and environmental benefits of going "vegan." Here we explore Veganuary and give a brief overview on the rise in veganism.
There has never been a better time to be a vegan or at least try plant based foods. Even the smallest supermarkets are awash with vegan options nowadays. While items such as oat and soya milk are already a staple in many households.
Some might voice their dubiousness over the ingredients in what is referred to as "fake meats" and we get that. But there are plenty of plant based proteins out there with a very simple list of ingredients, including tofu. The ToFoo Co saw record revenue in 2024 as a sometimes divisive ingredient, tofu, attracts flexitarians mixing up their weekly rota to include some extra plant points. ToFoo have expanded their range to now includes dippers, meatballs and burgers and more!
Above: ToFoo Co burgers and veggie balls
Above image: a photo of All Plants Tofu Goujons. The latest addition to the range- a collaboration between Ella Mill, of "Deliciously Ella", and All Plants ready meals. Available to purchase from Ocado and selected Waitrose stores.
Social media and the rise of veganism and climate activism:
Social media has undoubtedly played a huge role in recent years to promote the benefits of a vegan diet, not simply for our collective health but moreover, to empower individuals to have an albeit small but significant impact on our climate in crisis, by making better food choices- foods that carry a lower CO2 footprint. Climate activism and vegan chefs have emerged alongside one another, tackling the same issues approached in different ways but nonetheless, inspiring a cohort of social media users to reassess their own consumption. The "green" movement goes hand in hand with other noticeable shifts including second hand thrifting (think Depop and Vinted). Overall, there is a sizeable number of citizens eager to make a positive difference.
It is estimated about 3% of Britons identify as vegan
It is now estimated that 3% of Britons, (2.5million) people identify as vegan. While a further 8-10 million identify as vegetarian or pescetarian. If these figures are accurate, that's 1 in every 10 people are choosing not to eat meat or poultry.
Climate Anxiety
Climate anxiety is real and driving the shift to a 'cleaner' lifestyle. People feel they lack agency over their lives with regard to the climate crisis. We watch on helpless as politicians repeatedly put economics ahead of the environment.
Our planet is getting hotter and the global food system is in crisis. Shipping out-of-season foods such as lamb from New Zealand, and apples from Peru across the world to "fill the gap" is out of kilter with sustainable living. We stuff poultry and livestock into cages and call this "food." When in reality its an environmental disaster with a huge carbon footprint. It's morally bankrupt to boot. There is no wonder people are dishevelled just thinking about doing their weekly food shop. It has become a moral conundrum. These factors are a major driver behind a rise in plant based eating. It's not enough to do nothing any longer.
Thankfully, there is an abundance of ideas for plant based cooking out there and we intend to share some of these with you here and on Instagram. It's easy to despair but as citizen of the world, we can live better by living according to our own principles. Remember that millions of people coming together will make a difference.
The fact is, the numbers add up:
- A vegan saves 33,000 gallons of water per month
- 1,200 pounds of grain
- 900 square feet of forest
- 600 pounds of CO2
- 30 animals
Source: Sentient Media
A 2020 study by Oxford University claims global carbon emissions were reduced by 45,000 tons because an estimated 350,000 participated in Veganuary! Proving that Veganuary and a better diet in general does make a different to green house gas emissions, water, forests and animals. The figure illustrate the unsustainable levels of resources and land required to farm meat and poultry.
In our next blog post we are going to feature vegan chefs and their recipes for you to try at home!
For clarity, I am going to differentiate between the terms "vegan" and "plant based". Veganism is a lifestyle propelled by abstaining from eating any animal protein as well as wearing cruelty free clothing, shoes, toiletries and make-up on moral grounds. Meanwhile, "plant based" living is following the same diet but commonly accepted that the motivation behind plant based living are concerns about the climate crisis and the worsening role the food industry, namely industrial faming, is having on our planet.