How to Celebrate ‘Veganuary’

You've heard of Dry January. Now meet its plant-based cousin

- Van Van Cleave

AT THE BEGINNING of every new year, many of us make resolutions and set goals to improve our health, whether that means hitting the gym more often or giving up alcohol after perhaps overindulging during the holidays. Over the past few years, there's been a surge of interest in a movement called Veganuary.

While Dry January is all about drink, pledging to give up alcohol for the month, Veganuary is all about food—plant-based food. Observing Veganuary means deciding to follow a vegan diet and avoid any food that comes from animals for the month of January.

If you're curious, now is an excellent time to try a plant-based diet for yourself. There are numerous benefits—for your health and the environment—and you can make a huge impact even if you occasionally slip up.

When Did Veganuary Start?

It was introduced in 2014 by a British non-profit organization called Veganuary with the express purpose of promoting vegan diets every January. In the past 10 years, interest in the movement has surged, and now people from every country in the world (with the exceptions of Vatican City and North Korea) have taken part, according to the organization.

It offers education, resources and support—including daily coaching emails and videos—for people who are vegan-curious. And based on surveys that it commissioned this year, the Veganuary organization estimates that 25 million people worldwide chose to try veganism last January.