A Guide to the Veganuary 2025 Challenge

New year, new me is a collective thought that many people share. In fact, data shows that 96% of Gen z’s and 91% of millennials will be starting the year by making a New Year’s resolution for 2025. However, research shows that only approximately 15 - 17% of these people will stick to their New Year’s resolution. So, start small with Veganuary. Our guide has been put together to help you get through the Veganuary challenge in 2025, with recipe ideas, tips and some facts and figures to show you how Veganuary can help you.

*This blog discusses nutrition and calories if this is a potential trigger, please skip past this blog and check out some of our others. If this blog does cause discomfort, then please seek help.

What is Veganuary?

Veganuary takes place the same time every year, in the month of January. For the entire month of January, people who take on this challenge give up animal products such as meat and dairy. But Veganuary does not stop at food; it also takes into consideration products that you would not consider.

Some unexpected products that are not actually vegan are:

• Some breads like brioche
• Some burgers have eggs (Tip #1 always check the ingredient list)
• Some sugars, e.g. icing sugar can contain egg white powder
• Pasta: a lot of pastas contain egg
• Worcestershire sauce and some barbecue condiments contain anchovies
• Skincare products, e.g. some use honey
• Beeswax paper
• Haribo’s and many sweets contain gelatine

The Benefits of The Veganuary 2025 Challenge

During the Christmas period, sometimes we indulge a little, so Veganuary comes at the perfect time to reset from this. A temporary break from using animal products can be a fun challenge that not only helps you psychologically but also internally too.

The Veganuary campaign officially launched in 2014, and in that month alone, a few thousand participants enrolled in the campaign. By 2024, over 1.8 million people have officially signed up for some form of Veganuary resources or taken part in some form of vegan survey. With this growing trend, we have seen billion-dollar companies like KFC and McDonald’s take part by introducing vegan menus in an effort to become more inclusive and to stay with the times.

Since 2014, veganism has become more popular and acknowledged, and a lot of this is due to the benefits of the vegan diet becoming more widely known:

• Usually, with a balanced vegan diet, there is an increase in fibre (can help with stomach issues like constipation)
• You may have heard the saying ‘eating the rainbow’- when you eat a wide range of fruit and veg in various colours, you intake a variety of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which have different benefits
• Plant-based diets have been found to improve energy and mood levels, lower cholesterol, and reduce blood pressure
• A fun challenge to reset yourself for the new year

Top Tips to Beating the 2025 Veganuary Challenge

To help you have a successful Veganuary, here are 5 top tricks:

 

• Tip #1: Always look at the ingredient list; you may find animal-products in the most random products
• Tip #2: Don’t look at the numbers, whether that be a scale or calories; instead focus on how you’re feeling. Keep a diary track how your mood or energy has changed
• Tip #3: Keep it balanced- whilst focusing on fruit and veg is important, don’t forget that your body still needs carbohydrates, protein and all the nutritional goodness that comes with it
• Tip #4: There’s plenty of alternatives; jackfruit and, surprisingly, mushrooms are used as whole food alternatives that have been found to have similar textures to meat
• Tip #5: And finally don’t be harsh- if you make a mistake, its not the end of the world, just keep trying

Recipe Ideas for Veganuary

We’ve put together 3 fun tried and tested recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even a sweet treat idea that you’ll love.

Vegan Recipe: Breakfast

Acai bowl is the perfect nutrient-rich way to start your day. The acai bowl consists of:

• Base: Blend frozen acai, banana, and almond milk
• Toppings: Strawberries, blackberries, homemade granola
• Extras: Chia seeds, local honey alternative (agave), and desiccated coconut
• Preparation time: 10 minutes

Vegan Recipe: Dinner

This quick and easy vegan dinner combines sliced mushrooms and pasta in a rich coconut milk sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, you simply cook the pasta while sautéing onions, garlic, and mushrooms until golden. The sauce comes together by simmering coconut milk with the mushrooms until slightly thickened. Once combined with the pasta and seasoned well, you'll have a creamy, satisfying meal that can serve four people. It's a perfect weeknight dinner that requires minimal ingredients and effort.

Vegan Recipe: Sweet Treat

Everyone has heard of the viral snicker’s alternative, well here’s a recipe to help you make it at home. Slice open large Medjool dates and remove the stones, then stuff each one with crunchy peanut butter and top with dairy-free dark chocolate and crushed peanuts. For extra indulgence, drizzle with melted chocolate and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

What Can we Take Away from Veganuary

In January, many people feel the pressure to start the year with a resolution. Starting off with Veganuary or simply swapping out some foods for healthier alternatives (psychologically and nutritionally) can be a great way to start the year. At Fruit 4 London, we’re here to help you make smarter, healthier choices. Our produce is known for its high quality; we offer subscription services and also office and home delivery in the London area, perfect for employees and residents who are trying to make healthier options.