Five reasons to choose vegan this Veganuary
For those of you needing a bit of motivation to start your journey into vegan food, Charlotte, our Sustainability Programme Officer for procurement and waste, takes you through her journey into veganism and 5 reasons why it could also be for you!
I transitioned from a meat eater to a vegetarian when I was 15, and then to vegan at 16. My journey began while on holiday at an all-inclusive resort, where my eyes were opened to the possibilities of a vegan diet through the large range of food options available to sample. I discovered what is often perceived as a restrictive diet, was actually quite the opposite, and provided a diverse range of new and exciting foods.
The reasons to choose vegan are different for everyone, but here are 5 reasons I chose to go vegan and why you could too:
1. Promotes better animal welfare standards
Choosing a vegan lifestyle actively contributes to reducing the demand for factory farming. This choice helps decrease the volume of animals living in inhumane conditions, thus promoting better animal welfare standards.
2. Reduces environmental impact
A vegan lifestyle can significantly reduce one's carbon footprint. Veganism generally requires fewer resources, such as water and land, and produces fewer greenhouse gases compared to diets that include animal products.
3. Provides health benefits
Adopting a vegan lifestyle can significantly improve many people’s health by diversifying food choices and avoiding many heavily processed meals that are easily accessible for non-vegans. This shift can lead to a more nutritious and balanced diet.
4. Supports small businesses
The plant-based food market is growing rapidly, and it benefits from the support of smaller companies that produce vegan products. This not only boosts the local economy, but it also encourages innovation and sustainability in the food industry.
5. Sparks culinary creativity
Adopting a vegan lifestyle often sparks creativity in the kitchen. For example, making meringues from chickpea water (aquafaba) or using jackfruit to mimic pulled pork showcases the endless possibilities there are in vegan cookery!
Even if you can't fully commit to a vegan diet, incorporating more meat-free days or using plant based alternatives for kitchen essentials can be a great place to start!
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide our activity. Our work on sustainable consumption is linked to the following SDGs:
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.
