Veganuary: An honest review

For the past few days I have been in the best mood. Partly because it's (finally) payday today, but mostly because it's the end of January, ergo the end of Veganuary.

Veganuary – a whole month dedicated to eating plant-based foods, or, rather, food that doesn't come from animals (it's not necessarily healthy). Basically: The vegans are TAKING OVER.

But that's okay! They won't be converting me anytime soon.

Source: Veganuary

Let me just clarify, I went into this month with a completely open mind. I had no idea whether or not I would continue following a vegan diet at the end of the 31 days, but I was not opposed to the idea. Actually, in the days/weeks leading up to this challenge, the idea of eating meat was starting to gross me out a bit. I made a meal plan and even ordered a big food shop that included two types of vegan cheese – most of which was left at the back of my fridge, uneaten (it smelled and tasted like cheese strings, which made me question the legitimacy of my favourite mid-afternoon snack).

It turns out that this was the easiest January I've had in years, and the happiest, too. As well as taking up a vegan diet I also decided to run every day to keep the January blues at bay. Having something to focus on, to tick off in my bullet journal each day, was satisfying in itself. The sense of achievement at the end of each day – another day of not contributing to animal cruelty, global warming, of healing my gut (maybe) – was what kept me going. But as the month went on I began craving cake, pastries, butter and cheese more, not less. I noticed no difference in my health, fitness or general wellbeing, and I was looking forward to the end – to a time when I could enjoy coffee AND a pain au chocolat from Hart's bakery, cheese on my pizza, a bowl of cereal with ice cold cow's milk, just the CHOICE, you know? If Veganuary taught me anything it's that restrictive diets are not for me.

Some people believe that animals and humans are equal, but I am not one of them. Every day this month I opened the Veganuary email and every day I felt myself moving further away from this way of life. This was, in large part, due to the manipulative, preachy, judgmental and cult-like language and tone used in Veganuary's marketing collateral.

I can't get on board with an organisation that so blatantly avoids addressing the fact that there are many small farms that pride themselves on raising animals humanely and treating them with respect and kindness before killing them in a humane way.

'How do you kill something humanely if it doesn't want to die?' is a perfect example of the harmful language used by the Veganuary team. If that is what you believe then that's fine – you don't have to kill animals, you don't have to eat animals, but you can't force your beliefs on other people. Actions speak louder than words, so lead by example, don't shame people into following a vegan diet. It won't work.

Having said all of that, my overall experience of Veganuary has been positive. I ate some great meals and ate much more mindfully. I spent less money and more time in the kitchen. All good things! If you'd like to see what I ate during Veganuary I saved my favourite meals on my Instagram story highlights – @wnwrote. 

I won't be sticking to a plant-based diet religiously but I will try and eat less meat and dairy with the aim to buy produce from only good, local farmers. There is a middle ground when it comes to treating animals well and eating a healthy diet. It's not always black and white, so don't let anyone – meat eaters or vegans – tell you otherwise. Everyone has the right to eat the diet that is right for them. What you eat is no one else's business.

What are your views on veganism? Do you think you could give the vegan diet a go for a month?