BY DANIEL CLARK
This year the annual challenge led to a sustained vegan diet for more than a quarter of participants
A half-year survey has found that 28 percent of participants who were not vegan when they signed up for Veganuary 2023 are still eating a plant-based diet six months later.
Moreover, eight in 10 participants who were not previously vegan have maintained a dramatic reduction in their animal product consumption since finishing the 31-day challenge.
Toni Vernelli, Veganuary’s Head of Communications, told Plant Based News: “These results show that Veganuary is helping people make lasting diet changes that are good for the planet and their health.”
Learning about veganism helps people stay vegan
Asked for their number one reason for staying plant-based since January, participants’ most popular answer was “learning more about veganism” (34 percent).
Taking part in Veganuary helps open people’s eyes to the possibilities of veganism. Some 30 percent cited “being vegan was easier than I expected” as the key reason they were continuing on on with it.
Health benefits for those staying vegan
“Improved health” (16 percent) was the third most popular answer. Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of Veganuary participants who have continued to eat a fully plant-based diet for the past 6 months have experienced health improvements.
These include increased energy (58 percent), improved mood (57 percent), better skin (51 percent) and desired change in body weight (43 percent).
One respondent said: “I have become more centered, calm, and happy with my life choices. I have balanced more elements of my life too as a result.”
Going vegan makes people more creative in the kitchen
It is not only health where participants noted an improvement.
Respondents to the survey said that taking part in Veganuary helped them feel more inspired in the kitchen (68 percent) and make more adventurous food choices (60 percent).
One participant said: “I cook more than before and I pay attention to eating more healthily.”
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