January is often a month when we set ourselves a new health and detox challenge after indulging over the festive period. Are you taking part in Veganuary? Or perhaps you are interested in making longer term changes to bring in more of a plant-based diet that can support your health and the planet. Last year, some 800,000 people nationwide gave up consuming products made with animal products for the month of January, and some continued long afterwards as well.
But is it impossible to be totally, 100% vegan when animal products are in almost everything, from makeup to wine? And how do you maintain a nutritious, balanced diet when you are cutting out large food groups?
Easy food swaps
It’s actually relatively easy nowadays to go vegan. There are so many vegan alternatives to all our favourite daily foods available in large supermarkets and health food shops compared with just 5 years ago. Mainstream supermarkets now have a large range of vegan alternatives and most restaurants offer vegan options on their menu ( beware the dessert menu... Oh yay, sorbet again!) Here are some easy swaps to get you started: Try:
- oat milk instead of dairy milk
- nut butter instead of dairy butter
- alpro yogurt, custard and chocolate desserts
- scrambled tofu instead of scrambled eggs
- canned chickpea water instead of eggs for meringue (yes, it works!)
Surprising vegan foods
It doesn’t always have to be a vegan alternative. Some foods are somewhat surprisingly vegan anyway. Such as:
- Oreos
- Doritos
- Walkers crisps
- Most jams (made with pectin instead of gelatin)
- Bird’s custard (if you use non-dairy milk)
- Lidl’s bramley apple pies
- Sainsbury’s chicken flavour instant noodles
Keeping a healthy balance
Many meat eaters will try to convince you that you cannot possibly be getting enough of the right nutrients to survive on a vegan diet. This simply is not true. All the right nutrients are available to vegans, and for any areas they may be lacking, there are supplements.According to the official Veganuary website, you may need to take the following supplements:
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D3
- Omega 3
- Calcium and Zinc
- Iodine
Is it impossible to be 100% vegan when so many things are made with animal products?
It’s pretty tough, particularly when many of the things using animal products don’t even make that fact clear on their label. If you make a few slip ups along the way, just remember it’s a journey. Veganism is not about perfection, but making a difference. The main thing is, you are trying to do something wonderful for animals, the planet and life as a whole. Even if we all reduce animal consumption by making some days 100% plant-based days, this will make a great impact overall.
All Amma Life CBD products are 100% vegan, so you can be sure that whether you are taking part in Veganuary or a long-term vegan lifestyle, you can optimise your health with Amma Life CBD supplements and help the planet at the same time.
