If you are reading this at the start of January, possibly having indulged a little too much during the festive break, you may be considering Veganuary. If so, we’ve put this little article together to give you some diet tips – but also to explain what lies behind the campaign.
Whether you are reading this to make a difference to your personal health and wellbeing, or an employer wanting to make a positive change to workplace health – let’s dive into Veganuary. It’s much bigger than you might think…
Veganuary – the wider objective
Veganuary is far more than a plant-based diet option at the start of the year, it’s a non-profit organisation encouraging and supporting people worldwide to try vegan in January, and beyond. Running for 11 years, roughly 25.8 million people worldwide went vegan in January 2025 thanks to Veganuary.
While making a plant-based choice is probably what Veganuary is best known for, behind this lies a broader objective – to mitigate climate change, spare animal lives and improve human health.
What are the benefits of Veganuary?
The first Veganuary in 2012 saw around 3,000 people take part. So, to reach 28.5 million some 13 years later, there must be some benefits to a vegan diet. Here’s what Veganuary say:
Many people enjoy the exciting (and sometimes surprising) benefits that come with switching to a plant-based diet. The most commonly reported benefits include:
- Increased energy
- Improved mood
- Better skin
- Lower cholesterol
- Desired change in body weight
- Better skills in the kitchen
And over the years, it would seem that the benefits really do encourage a change in habits. The Veganuary 2025 participant survey revealed that 81% of participants intend to permanently change their diet as a result of taking part.
How to take part in Veganuary
There are various options. You can sign up to the official campaign and receive Veganuary resources via email including a celebrity cookbook, 10 meal plans and lots more. If you want to do that, the link is here: https://veganuary.com/try-vegan/
However, there’s no need to do this and even if you don’t or can’t cook, you can still try plenty of plant based meal options available in many supermarkets. Many major food brands, restaurants and supermarkets in the UK have joined the Veganuary drive by launching new vegan products to coincide with the campaign. Remember the Greggs vegan sausage roll? That was inspired by Veganuary.
What’s more, there are plenty of plant based Vegan recipe books and you’ll find many options online. But, if Veganuary want to help us make it easier with their recipe book, and meal plans, doing it the ‘official’ way might be the best option. There’s also a podcast, YouTube series and social media channels to help you participate.
What can employers do to support Veganuary?
Employers can support Veganuary in practical, inclusive ways that benefit employee wellbeing, sustainability goals, and workplace culture. The key principle is to keep it supportive, voluntary and inclusive. The goal is to make trying plant-based eating easy and enjoyable – always the best way to get engagement.
Here are some options you might try in your organisation:
Food & Catering
- Offer vegan options in cafeterias, meetings, and events (clearly labelled).
- Partner with local food suppliers for discounted vegan lunches or meal deliveries.
- Stock plant-based milk, snacks, and spreads in your canteen or break rooms.
Awareness & Education
- Share Veganuary resources (meal plans, recipes, nutrition info) via internal comms.
- Host a lunch-and-learn with a nutritionist or sustainability expert.
- Highlight the environmental, health, and ethical benefits without being preachy.
Wellbeing & Inclusion
- Frame Veganuary as an optional wellbeing initiative, not a mandate.
- Be mindful of dietary needs, allergies, and cultural preferences.
- Support flexible participation (e.g., vegan weekdays or plant-based lunches).
In conclusion
As with any awareness campaign, the real value comes when that campaign makes a difference that lasts beyond the month itself. The research suggests that the great majority of those taking part in Veganuary intend to maintain their dietary change. For both individuals and employers, Veganuary offers opportunities to improve health and wellbeing leading to healthier people – and healthier organisations.
For more information
Find out about Veganuary on the official website here: https://veganuary.com/
