Veganuary



I can't think of anything more stupid than choosing January in the UK as the point to kick off a plant based diet.

Looking around the shops, all the veg are from the likes of Chile, Kenya, Peru, China, the lentils from the Middle East and Africa, soy beans from US.

Surely it's better for the planet to scran down a locally sourced grass reared beef steak with a few locally grown taties for the chips?
 
Anybody on here contemplating veganuary this year then? 31 days of eating a purely plant based and cruelty free diet.

Less than a year ago i started for diet reasons, seemed like it was a good idea to give it a try. Watched a documentary on netflix called 'what the health' which looks at the diabetes side of food and the lies and confusion tactics that get circulated around the meat and dairy industry. Absolutely eye opening.

Pros:
  • It undeniabily makes you feel healthier and happier as a person.
  • It is easier to get protien from just eating plant based foods than is ever reported.
  • Some of the meals you can make/buy in restaurants are ridiciously close to 'the real thing'.
  • Training and building muscle mass is actually possible. You don't just need to eat chicken to be arny.
  • From an environmental point of view, being vegan saves a ridiculous amount of everything. From the money in your pocket, to the 2000L of water it takes to produce 1lb of meat and everything that it takes to then get that piece of meat onto your table. (watch the documentary above)
  • I still drink pints, get take aways just have to be selective but again it's second nature to me now.

  1. Cons:
  • If I go out for the day I have generally pre plan where I am going to have food as up in the North East there isn't as many options as say down south. However as time goes on the less this becomes a problem as its second nature.
  • Farting, yes. The extra fibre in your diet is absolute hell. Or at least it was for me. I took some £20 probiotic tablets off amazon and within a few days my belly found its balance, but I went from a shit diet to this which is why my body struggled more than some Ive read about.

I’m a week into this and in very similar position to you as in going from shite diet to this but with a kicker, I’ve got Chrons and the consultant who I saw on the 2nd for a check up really wasn’t sure how I’d be.

My stomach hasn’t fully settled yet but I’ve got the following pros:

1. I am sleeping a lot better
2. My running recovery is a lot quicker
3. I feel like I’m eating constantly but still losing weight
4. I am properly hungry for a meal rather than feeling like I should be eating because it’s around that time.
5. It’s not as restrictive as I thought it would be, just a bit of planning and you’re sorted.

I’m not saying I’ll never eat meat again but it’s been a real eye opener for me as to how good I’m feeling so it’ll continue on beyond the end of the month I reckon.
 
I can't think of anything more stupid than choosing January in the UK as the point to kick off a plant based diet.

Looking around the shops, all the veg are from the likes of Chile, Kenya, Peru, China, the lentils from the Middle East and Africa, soy beans from US.

Surely it's better for the planet to scran down a locally sourced grass reared beef steak with a few locally grown taties for the chips?

So on your logic all veg is foreign and all beef is local.

Do you know how much it takes to grow a cow, the numbers are ludicrous.
I’m a week into this and in very similar position to you as in going from shite diet to this but with a kicker, I’ve got Chrons and the consultant who I saw on the 2nd for a check up really wasn’t sure how I’d be.

My stomach hasn’t fully settled yet but I’ve got the following pros:

1. I am sleeping a lot better
2. My running recovery is a lot quicker
3. I feel like I’m eating constantly but still losing weight
4. I am properly hungry for a meal rather than feeling like I should be eating because it’s around that time.
5. It’s not as restrictive as I thought it would be, just a bit of planning and you’re sorted.

I’m not saying I’ll never eat meat again but it’s been a real eye opener for me as to how good I’m feeling so it’ll continue on beyond the end of the month I reckon.
First of all congrats on trying it out and it sounds like it's going well.

I got some pricey tablets for my stomach and it seemed to sort it out. Initially I was full of gas and bloated took them for a month and was fine. I think it was balancing the bacteria in my gut.
 
So on your logic all veg is foreign and all beef is local.

Do you know how much it takes to grow a cow, the numbers are ludicrous.

First of all congrats on trying it out and it sounds like it's going well.

I got some pricey tablets for my stomach and it seemed to sort it out. Initially I was full of gas and bloated took them for a month and was fine. I think it was balancing the bacteria in my gut.

It was my other half that gave me the push to give it a go but I am enjoying so far I must say, I’ll check back in at the end of the month and let you know!
 
Started out vegan then became a Vegetarian. I like a cup of tea with milk and sometimes the odd greek yoghurt and I don't overthink the cheese thing. I certainly don't eat too much of it. Eggs are a no go cos of cholesterol. Weight gain was a real problem for me as a Vegan but not now as a Veggie. I suppose that's cos I dont snack now but instead I have cups of tea. Will never go back to meat.
 
Started out vegan then became a Vegetarian. I like a cup of tea with milk and sometimes the odd greek yoghurt and I don't overthink the cheese thing. I certainly don't eat too much of it. Eggs are a no go cos of cholesterol. Weight gain was a real problem for me as a Vegan but not now as a Veggie. I suppose that's cos I dont snack now but instead I have cups of tea. Will never go back to meat.
Have you seen how dairy is produced?
 
I have yes but I don't cane it. If anything i keep my options open for just in case I am in France and a Farmer offers me a good cheese, with wine. I mostly give it a wide berth anyway in order to keep track of my calories in my calorie app. I am a fat man. I need to keep under 2800 calories a day to keep on schedule.
 
First of all congrats on trying it out and it sounds like it's going well.

I got some pricey tablets for my stomach and it seemed to sort it out. Initially I was full of gas and bloated took them for a month and was fine. I think it was balancing the bacteria in my gut.

So, finished the month and I’m continuing, I lost a stone during the month in the end barring half a pound, everything I mentioned in my original post has continued and improved.

I honestly wish I’d do it sooner.
 
I’m back at it aye, living mainly veggie now but havent pushed to full time vegan just yet, going to make a curry tomorrow, cauli and chick pea.
Bumped another thread on this on the main smb forum, just saying that it’s good to knock up some
Unusual dishes for a month to stave off lock down boredom
 
Still going 5 years or whatever in now. I do think while its good, its more become a chance for the fast food chains and supermarkets to push loads of just as unhealthy products, this year is all pizzas, pies/pasties and loads of desserts. Animal cruelty free is good part of it though but not so sure its spreading the whole food plant based healthier life that is to me what people should also be looking at.
 
Still going 5 years or whatever in now. I do think while its good, its more become a chance for the fast food chains and supermarkets to push loads of just as unhealthy products, this year is all pizzas, pies/pasties and loads of desserts. Animal cruelty free is good part of it though but not so sure its spreading the whole food plant based healthier life that is to me what people should also be looking at.

I agree with this, if I don’t cook it myself the supermarket stuff is full of rubbish.
 
I don’t think I will ever be a veggie but I have started adding more vegetarian meals into my diet. I am quite health conscious and there will be plenty of health benefits I am sure.
 
I agree with this, if I don’t cook it myself the supermarket stuff is full of rubbish.
To be honest is why I stopped going to the vegan festival that used to be on at the SOL, again in the main all pies and pastries, but is more because I coning at it intially primarily for health, although welfare and environment have come along since have been vegan.

Do still buy and cook meat and dairy as our lass is not vegan but its all sourced from as best welfare I can get, usually the local butcher where you know what farm etc, eggs from backyard hens. The egg, dairy and pork mass factory farming particulary cruel so try to avoid if I am buying.
 
As a contrarian I went vegan in the middle of January last year. So coming up to a year now. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to eating animal products but I’ll never say never.
I’m getting to the point where it really is the only ethical way to eat.
Not that I’m advocating others to follow. I couldn’t give a fuck what people eat. But anyone with a conscience should think long and hard about doing it. IMHO.
Anyone started it but will stop in February ?
 

Back
Top