New year, new me, new diet…right? If you’ve pledged to go vegan this January, just like half a million other people worldwide, but you spend a lot of time on the road, we’ve compiled our top tips to keep you on your plant-based track!
What is #Veganuary?
Since 2014, #Veganuary has been a movement encouraging people and businesses across the globe to embrace the vegan diet and lifestyle. Now active in 178 countries, the campaign asks people to pledge to go vegan for 31 days in January for environmental, health and animal benefits amongst others. While some opt to go fully vegan, many go vegetarian, some pescatarian and some pledge to ‘eat less meat’.
However you do it, we want to help keep you on track, because let’s face it, making any drastic diet changes can be tough – especially if you have to face life on the road be it for family, work or social reasons. So, we’ve put together our 5 top tips to help drivers see #Veganuary right through to the 31st!
- Prepare, prepare…and then prepare some more!
Meal preparation, batch-cooking & packed lunches will become your go-to this month! From car snacking to entire meals to eat on the go, making sure you know what you’re having, and having it hand, is the easiest way of staying on track. If cooking ahead isn’t an option, or you’d prefer something warm, plan your route – that way you’ll know exactly when and where you can stop, and can research what vegan goodies are available ahead of time.
- Don’t say goodbye to all your favourite things!
Cutting out the little things that get you through your journey makes your goals unrealistic. So, if you need that latte to kick off your Monday commute, try opting for coconut milk, almond milk or soya instead – Costa have a particularly great range of vegan milk options.
Brands are more inclusive than ever when it comes to catering for different dietary requirements; from the Orignal Recipe Vegan Burger at KFC to Burger King’s Veggie Bean Burger, fast food isn’t even off the table during #Veganuary!
- Do your research!
Before you undertake any major diet changes – even if they’re short term – make sure you do your research and do it safely. Studies show there are many benefits to a vegan diet, including; increased amounts of fruit and veg, improved kidney function and lower blood sugar levels. There is also evidence to suggest that it’s convenient for helping you shed those excess pounds. However, the vegan diet doesn’t work for everyone. Especially if it’s poorly planned! Some people undertaking a vegan diet for the first time miss out on essential nutrients that they were otherwise getting from meat, fish and dairy, including calcium, iron and vitamin B12. The NHS website is a great place to start.
- Use #Veganuary as an excuse to try new things!
While opting to go for the vegan-alternatives for some of your favourite things will help you stay on track, temporary diet changes are an excellent opportunity to try new things. And you never know, you might love them! From packed lunches full of veggies to car snacks packed with nutrients instead of sugar, you might find some new faves if you embrace the new.
- Scour the internet for #inspo!
Not sure where to start when going vegan? The internet can be a great place to start – first, head to Pinterest and search “vegan meal prep” for all the plant-based noms you can fit inside a lunchbox. If you’re on Instagram, @accidentallyveganuk is a trove of food that’s, yep, you guessed it… accidentally vegan! Or, for motivation and meal ideas, try giving @weareveganuary a follow.
What are your top tips for keeping your in-car eating plant-based? Let us know over on Twitter @motoway! ?
