Vegan lifestyles have become increasingly popular in recent years. Unlike 20 or even 10 years ago, there are so many more plant-based alternatives making it easier for people to give up meat and dairy products.
Veganuary is an annual challenge that encourages people to do just that for the month of January. But what happens when an avid meat lover goes vegan overnight, swapping chicken for chickpeas and semi-skimmed for soymilk?
Leicestershire Live wanted to find out so asked reporter Sali Shobowale to go cold turkey on turkey (and all other meat and dairy in January). These are her honest reflections one month later:
"I love meat as much as the next person and, of all the food groups, protein has always been a staple part of my diet. Culturally, coming from an African background, you can find at least one animal product in every meal.
"But to kick start the new year, I decided to embark on an adventure which would see me eliminate meat and go completely vegan for the whole month of January. My reasons for doing so were not to drop 10 pounds in 10 days, as most fitness fanatics promise.
"I didn’t do it because it was trendy either. For me, it was simply a challenge and a test of my mental toughness.
"The first couple of days were actually the easiest. For breakfast I alternated between Tesco salads, Aldi Burrito bowls and then I suddenly became hyper fixated with cinnamon and raisin bagels. I’ve always been a fan of herbal teas, so my consumption of those skyrocketed, but I had to switch out my usual coffee for oat lattes.
"Working from home most days, has turned me into a huge snacker. But I noticed that I really cut down on making trips to the kitchen and would only really eat proper meals.
"However, when I was feeling peckish, I'd reach for some popcorn, or roasted chickpeas, which brings me on to my next point. I’ve recently started lifting heavy weights at the gym, but part and parcel of that is eating enough protein to actually build muscle, which is something I really struggled with at the beginning of Veganuary.
"I was only eating about 30 grams of protein a day, when the recommended about 120 grams. After spending countless hours scrolling on TikTok and watching YouTube videos, towards the end of my journey, I began finding ways to introduce more muscle-building foods and drinks into my diet - such as vegan protein shakes, chickpeas, as mentioned before, and lots of tofu.
"People tend to shy away from being vegan because the stereotype is, that healthier food is expensive, which is true to a degree but contrary to popular belief, this month did not pinch my pocket as much as I thought it would. Aldi which is renowned for being a bargain hub, has an excellent range of foods, including meat-less chicken tenders and Greggs-style pies. The food that took the crown for me, were Aldi's vegan battered sausages, which believe it or not tasted like something from the local chippy."
Sali noted how many restaurants have adapted to modern times, adding a variety of different plant-based meals to their menus. She continued: "Speaking to other vegans, opened my eyes to the amount of meat I had over-consumed over the years - and that even the smallest choices I make, could have a huge impact on the planet.
"During my time as a vegan, I also realised just how many takeaways have adapted their menus to serve vegan food to its customers. I was able to go to almost any fast food joint and order something catered to me, which meant that I did not have to miss out on the social aspects of going out to eat with my friends while being plant based."
"Admittedly, I’ve missed eating chicken, and I can't wait to revisit the American fast food chain to tuck into some biscuits and gravy," she admitted but said: "All in all, taking part in Veganuary has improved my life in so many ways. My skin has been better - and I’ve always had pretty good skin, but I’ve received actual compliments.
"Despite being a raging insomniac, I’ve had much more energy throughout the day and I can’t even remember the last time I felt bloated. And while I can’t promise that it is something I will stick to for the rest of my life, there are so many aspects of being vegan that will definitely become a part of my daily routine."
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