Did you know that the month of January was dubbed “Veganuary” by the UK nonprofit Veganuary? This nonprofit promotes compassionate food choices and healthy living, and the initiative to go vegan for one month is joined every year by over half a million people. Although veganism may seem restrictive, January is the perfect time to try something new and challenge yourself. Are you hearing about it just now? Do not worry, there is always time to include more plant-based meals in January and beyond! Find our reasons to go vegan and tips on how to do it on a budget below.
Try Veganuary with your friends and flatmates
Participating with other people will keep everyone accountable and make shopping for food and cooking more enjoyable! Swap recipes with one another and try new vegetables and food combinations. Here are some examples of easy and affordable vegan recipes:
Meatless Options on Campus
If cooking is less your style and you would rather eat out, then there are loads of amazing vegan options right on campus! Here are two restaurants that are strictly vegan and vegetarian:
- The Shaw Café is located on the ground floor in the New Academic Building and offers freshly prepared breakfasts, snacks, and lunches, as well as ethically sourced coffee.
- Fawcett Café is located on the ground floor of Fawcett House and has ethically sourced coffee, as well as vegan and vegetarian all-day snacks.
Veganism is Healthy on the Body and Wallet
Eating a plant-based diet lowers the risk of certain diseases and comes with multiple health benefits such as better sleep and increased metabolism. Eating vegan can also help you stay within budget, especially if you cook at home. For example, vegan staples such as rice, quinoa, and bread can be purchased in bulk which is more affordable.
Here is an article by The Thirty that provides great tips on eating vegan on a budget!
Do Your Part for the Environment
Eating vegan can reduce energy consumption and clean the soil as raising livestock not only takes up a lot of energy in the forms of factories and transporting the meat but raising livestock can also erode and weaken soil as well as lead to deforestation. Plant foods also require way less water than animals do, so you would also be conserving water!
Going vegan can seem a drastic change, especially if your current diet revolves around beloved staples. However, there are many more food alternatives available today than there used to be and swapping out products is easier than ever. This January, try including more vegan meals in your week and see how your body and wallet feel! Veganuary can also be a fun bonding activity with flatmates and friends alike, and even if you do not fully change to a vegan lifestyle you will end the month with new recipes and a love of plant products.
Blog written by Rebecca Jacobi.
Rebecca works as an Advice Assistant in the LSESU Advice Team.
The LSESU Advice Team
The LSESU Advice Team is based on the 3rd floor of the Saw Swee Hock Building and we provide free, independent and confidential advice to all LSE students on academic and housing matters. We also administer the Hardship Fund, the Childcare Fund and the Graduation Gown Support Fund (GGSF).
Our service is currently operating using a hybrid working pattern. We are still open and can be accessed by emailing su.advice@lse.ac.uk. You can also book a telephone or Zoom appointment with an adviser through Student Hub.