Veganuary: How to Better Yourself and the Environment

How you can make small changes to a plant-based diet.

By Tyler Davis

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It’s no secret that over the past decade, there has been a rise in veganism. With the increase of plant-based options on the market, more people have begun to consume alternatives to meat.

With it being a new year, many people have tried to make changes to their diet to become “healthier”. However, the real change that will help yourself and the environment is consuming a more plant-based diet.

Every January, people around the world are challenged to eat a vegan diet for the whole month. This challenge was first created in 2014 by a non-profit organization, known as Veganuary. According to Veganuary’s website, they encourage people to switch to a vegan diet to improve health, as well as to protect animals and the environment.

There are many health benefits to switching to a vegan diet. This switch can even lower your risk of getting heart disease and cancer. One of the biggest myths about a plant-based diet is not being able to get enough nutrients. However, if you’re eating a clean plant-based diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and seeds, you will get all the necessary nutrients.

If switching to a more plant-based diet for your own health has not been convincing enough, a vegan diet can also be more sustainable for both animals and the environment. Since fewer animals would be consumed, it would not only save the animals lives and population, but it would benefit the environment. Since animal products require more resources, there is a larger amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere. Studies have shown that around 57% of greenhouse gas emissions are from animal based foods. More plant-based eating would reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and slow the effects of climate change.

If you can’t fully go vegan or vegetarian, that’s okay. You can always make small changes by consuming less meat and animal products, and swap them out for tofu. Switching to a more plant-based diet is not something that can be done overnight. It takes research and dedication. But who knows? Maybe you will be next to take on the challenge.