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JANUARY HAS BEEN AND GONE AND WHETHER YOU TRIED VEGANUARY AND LOVED IT, OR YOU’RE TOTALLY OVER IT, OR YOU’RE NOW LOOKING TO INCORPORATE PLANT-BASED FOOD LONG TERM, THEN GOSH! FOOD NUTRITIONIST FIONA LAWSON IS HERE TO HELP SUCCEED WITHOUT MEAT ALL YEAR ROUND, NOT JUST IN JANUARY…
Chances are you haven’t heard of Matthew Glover or Jane Lane. It is more likely, however, that you’re familiar with Veganuary. The idea, born in the Yorkshirebased couple’s kitchen in 2013, has exploded since its inception into a ‘new year, new you’ must for many. What seemed like a fad to cynics, veganism is here to stay with an estimated 542,000 Brits opting to enjoy an exclusively plant-based diet, and those numbers expected to rise in 2020. Veganuary is the ideal starting point for the thousands of Brits looking to make the switch, but what are the pros and cons of eating a plant-based diet long term?
THE PROS AND CONS PRO: HIGH FIBRE Did you know that 90% of Brits are not consuming enough fibre every day? It’s one of the biggest health-concerns we face. But when upping your intake of vegan-friendly wholegrains, pulses, fruits and vegetables, you should hit your target of 30g fibre daily with ease. Reaching your fibre intake goals is associated with several benefits, including maintaining a healthy body weight.
PRO: PLANT DIVERSITY We call this ‘eating the rainbow’ as we should all be eating
30 different plant foods each week! Adopting a vegan diet makes this much easier, especially when you consider how many vegetables are used to make plant-based products. By eating a wide range of plant foods, you’ll benefit from a host of nutrients that affect everything from your gut bacteria to your immunity (particularly important at this time of year). If you used Veganuary as an excuse to try inseason vegetables and different recipes, continue!
PRO: MONEY-SAVING By eating a whole foods-based vegan diet, you’ll likely find your grocery bill goes down. Fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and pulses are all pretty cheap, which means you’ll have lots left over to buy those delicious nut butters and the occasional vegan treat.
CON: NO VITAMIN B12 Contrary to popular belief, there’s no reliable plant source of vitamin B12. You need to pay attention to this nutrient, as it helps to keep you blood and nerve cells healthy. It also protects your all-important DNA. If your Veganuary is turning into a long-term vegan diet, make sure you take a high-quality vitamin B12 supplement.
