Veganuary is an annual global initiative that motivates individuals to embrace a plant-based lifestyle throughout January, commencing on the first day of the month. This campaign aims to inspire people to explore the benefits of veganism, not just for health but also for environmental and ethical considerations.

Following an impressive surge in participation during Veganuary 2021, with an increase in individuals experimenting with animal-free diets amid the pandemic, 2022 marked the campaign’s most successful year yet. The momentum continues into 2023, and it appears that the enthusiasm for veganism is set to grow even further.

The Vegan Society, a dedicated charity advocating for a plant-based lifestyle, defines veganism as a “way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.” Thus, adopting a meat and dairy-free lifestyle transcends merely the food and beverages we consume; it encompasses a holistic approach to ethical living.

In response to the growing demand for animal-free food options, supermarkets and restaurants are expanding their vegan selections. This reflects a significant shift in consumer preferences and a growing awareness of the ethical implications of food choices.

Additionally, it’s crucial to examine our fashion and beauty selections, as both sectors heavily depend on animal by-products. Fortunately, many brands are increasingly recognizing the necessity for change and are innovating products that align with the rising demand for cruelty-free alternatives.

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If you’ve made the commitment to participate in Veganuary, we’re here to provide guidance and support. Here are some valuable tips on everything you need to thrive on a plant-based diet throughout January and beyond—from our top cookbook recommendations to refreshing your beauty regimen.

Delicious Food and Refreshing Drink Choices

Essential Cookbooks for Vegan Cooking

First and foremost, let’s dive into food—the most popular entry point for those beginning their plant-based journey. While it may be tempting to fixate on the foods you cannot consume, try to view this as an exciting chance to unleash your culinary creativity and explore new flavors, moving beyond the traditional frozen bean burgers, delightful as they may be.

Consider picking up a copy of ‘I Can Cook Vegan’ by Isa Chandra Moskowitz (£17.99, Blackwells.co.uk). This acclaimed cookbook has taken the top spot in our guide to the best vegan cookbooks for its comprehensive collection of meals that people genuinely enjoy. It serves as a fast-track guide to discovering vegan recipes that took our tester years to uncover, earning praise for featuring “vegan versions of home-cooked, comfort-food favorites.”

Most ingredients required for the recipes are easily accessible; however, some may necessitate a trip to specialty stores. From chickpea alfredo to banh mis and pad thai, our tester expressed a wish that this book had been available when they first transitioned to a vegan diet.

If you find yourself with a bit more time, consider indulging in ‘Flavour’ by Yotam Ottolenghi (£15, Amazon.co.uk), which provides an excellent opportunity to impress your dinner guests during Veganuary and beyond.

The shopping list can quickly become overwhelming when you first transition to a vegan diet; that’s where ‘Broke Vegan: Over 100 Plant-Based Recipes That Don’t Cost the Earth’ comes into play (£10.94, Amazon.co.uk). This practical guide by Saskia Sidey is designed to help maintain your budget while offering “delicious, simple meals”—from a caramelized shallot and tomato tart to the most foolproof hummus our tester has ever created. We’re definitely adding this to our grocery basket!

Convenient Food Subscription Boxes

If you’re looking to simplify your transition to veganism, consider trying a recipe box or pre-made food subscription service. These options can save you time and effort in meal preparation, making it easier to stick to your new lifestyle.

In our comprehensive guide to the best vegan subscription boxes, Grubby (from £26 for two recipes per week, Grubby.co.uk)—the UK’s first exclusively vegan recipe box—has emerged as a favorite. With 60 unique recipes, including harissa-spiced courgette with couscous and garlic tahini dressing, we commend its commitment to using locally sourced, organically grown British produce. Additionally, for those concerned about sustainability, Grubby delivers its boxes by bike if you reside in London.

Finding healthy and convenient options for mid-week lunches can be especially challenging when you’re trying to eat vegan. We received glowing reviews for Tyme’s plant-based subscription service (from £30 a week, Tymefood.com), which is ideal for switching up your desk snacks and lunch options.

If you’re eager to get cooking, consider giving Mindful Chef (from £4.50 per meal, Mindfulchef.com) a try. This service received high praise in our review for providing recipes along with all the pre-measured ingredients necessary to create a delightful feast.

Choose from delightful options such as sweetcorn fritters, black bean salsa with avocado, or tikka smoked tofu skewers accompanied by apple slaw, and prepare for a satisfying dinner every night of the week.

Indulgent Sweet Snacks for Vegans

If you’re concerned about missing out on your beloved Dairy Milk during January, you’ll be pleased to discover an impressive variety of brands producing exceptional vegan chocolate, ensuring you never have to forgo sweet treats again.

Crosstown topped our list of the best vegan chocolate bars with its yuzu & passion fruit chocolate (£5.95, Crosstown.co.uk), earning high praise from our reviewer for its “fresh-tasting zesty and fruity ganache, encased in 72 percent dark chocolate”—truly “utterly delightful,” as stated.

Another standout choice is Tony’s Chocolonely, a brand that not only impresses with its taste but also with its ethical commitment. The company aims to ensure that the chocolate industry is 100 percent slave-free by working directly with farmers, investing in farming cooperatives, and paying extra premiums above Fairtrade prices—over nine percent of the product’s price goes back to the cocoa farmers.

Our reviewers noted that the vegan dark chocolate almond sea salt (£3.50, Ocado.com) has an outstanding texture, with impressive chunkiness. Each bite of this delectable vegan chocolate bar delivers a delightful combination of chunky almond pieces complemented by a clean finish of sea salt, leaving your sweet tooth thoroughly satisfied.

Vegan-Friendly Wine Selections

You may not be aware that many wines contain animal products due to the fining process, which is designed to clarify, stabilize, and reduce bitterness. Common fining agents include milk proteins, egg whites, gelatin, or even fish bladder.

However, you don’t have to forego your favorite beverages during Veganuary. The Purato Grillo Spumante (£13.50, Amazon.co.uk), featured in our guide to the best organic wines, is a vegan-friendly option.

This wine is not only vegan-friendly, but it also boasts carbon-neutral credentials and eco-friendly packaging. Taste-wise, it impresses with “fine bubbles, subtle floral aromas, and well-balanced acidity,” according to our tester.

Ethical Fashion Choices for Vegans

The fashion industry has a long way to go in terms of ethical and sustainable practices, as highlighted in our guide to books that reveal the harsh realities of fast fashion. On a social level, garment workers often live in poverty due to business models that prioritize the rapid production of new clothing lines.

On a sustainability front, the McKinsey report indicates that globally, people consume over 100 billion pieces of clothing annually, making the textile industry one of the largest polluters, responsible for approximately 92 million tonnes of waste each year. However, as consumers, we hold the power to invest in brands that prioritize ethical production—favoring sustainably made clothing and accessories, while avoiding items crafted from animal by-products. Veganuary serves as an excellent opportunity to reassess your clothing and footwear choices.

Discover Sustainable Clothing Brands

If you’re seeking fashion inspiration, consider exploring our guides to the best sustainable men’s and women’s clothing brands. In our selections, MUD Jeans stands out as a favorite due to its eco-friendly credentials; the slim lassen jeans (£100, Mudjeans.eu) are composed of 23 percent post-consumer recycled cotton, 75 percent organic cotton, and 2 percent elastane.

While opting for sustainably produced clothing can sometimes be pricier, our guide to the best women’s ethical fashion pieces under £50 can help you discover affordable options. One standout piece was a blue check sweetheart neck top from Omnes—though currently out of stock, other top choices included a pair of Celtic thistle print shorts from Mayamiko (£21, Mayamiko.com), a fair-trade brand committed to maintaining a low-waste production approach.

Our tester highlighted that the “high waistband lends a