Veganuary: what exactly is it (and how to eat vegan all January without getting bored)?
In January, the same thing often happens in many kitchens.
The holidays are behind us. Leftovers are (finally) gone. And without necessarily saying it out loud, you can feel your body calling for something else. Not a punishment, not a diet, just a little more lightness and meals that feel good.
It's often at this point that a word surfaces: Veganuary.
We've seen it passed around on networks, in discussions between colleagues or on the menus of certain restaurants. But behind this rather strange name, the idea is much simpler than it seems.
What exactly is Veganuary?
Veganuary is a challenge originally launched in the UK: to eat vegan for the whole month of January.
In practical terms, this means cooking without meat, fish, eggs, dairy products or ingredients of animal origin.
But be warned: the spirit of Veganuary is not to become vegan "for life", nor to aim for absolute perfection. Rather, the aim is to test, discover and learn, over the course of a month, another way of cooking and eating.
No guilt-tripping, no dogma. Just an invitation to try.
The real Veganuary trap isn't hunger (it's boredom)
When you think "vegan diet", the first concern expressed is often the same:
"What about protein?"
In reality, this is almost never the real problem. Pulses, cereals, tofu, tempeh, dried fruit... the sources are there.
The real danger, the one that makes you give up after 5 days, is fatigue.
The same pan-fried vegetables.
The same soups.
Tomato pasta by default.
XXL salads without relief.
And in the end, you end up resorting to soulless industrial "vegan" dishes for lack of ideas.
The key to lasting a month (and enjoying it) is not to try and replace every meat dish with a false equivalent.
It's all about changing the way you think about meals.
28 savoury vegan recipes to enjoy Veganuary
Here is a tagine packed with vegetables and plant-based protein! It’s also a new way to cook seitan , an ingredient made from wheat or spelt gluten. Combined with chickpeas, potatoes and carrots, it makes a healthy, complete dish . And don’t forget...
Would you like to try tofu but don’t know how to cook it? Here’s an idea for your Sunday brunch: scrambled tofu! A perfect recipe to replace scrambled eggs. You’ll only need two ingredients: firm plain tofu and silken tofu (which you can easily find at...
For an easy-to-make dish that’s rich in flavor, try this Chinese noodle stir-fry ! Here, you can enjoy a vegetarian topping made with vegetables and textured soy protein . And if you’ve never tried this ingredient, here’s a good reason to be...
For an easy and fresh appetizer or dish, try our spring rolls! Colorful and filled with flavors, this vegetarian version will delight your taste buds. In addition to our recipe, we share our folding technique to ensure your spring rolls turn out...
When it comes to comfort food , we're always happy to make room for chickpea curry ! Served with rice, this fragrant dish will take your taste buds on a journey and warm you up :-) Think we're exaggerating? Give it a try and you'll soon be won over...
Today we’re bringing you a vegan version of one of India’s most popular dishes: Malai Kofta (meatballs in sauce). Since we sometimes struggle to eat legumes, at Petitchef we try to cook them in every way possible. These chickpea and spinach balls,...
Today for lunch, try our tabbouleh... without semolina! A gluten-free alternative made entirely from vegetables! Indeed, the semolina is replaced by blended cauliflower :-) A great way to get the whole family to enjoy this vegetable! A no-cook...
If you like comforting, spicy, and North African recipes , this chorba soup should be right up your alley! It is usually made with meat (mainly lamb or mutton), but here we've decided to offer you a vegetarian version . Hearty thanks to the...
Are you in the mood for a simple first course that’s tasty and makes you feel right at home? Pasta with olive sauce is the ideal answer! A true classic of Italian cuisine, very easy to prepare and full of flavor, it’s perfect for a light lunch or...
Spread it on toasted bread or use it to garnish your mushrooms ; this vegan “cheese” made from soy yogurt will surprise and delight you! There’s no lactose , so it’s a great vegan recipe for introducing your loved ones to this way of eating. And...
These patties are super easy to make and are made from legumes: red lentils. Their orange hue will brighten your plate and complement the carrots perfectly. A great way to incorporate vegetables and plant-based proteins into your meal. Naturally...
Have you got a butternut squash and want to make something other than soup with it? It’s time to stuff it! Enjoy a hearty, filling, colorful winter meal! Its orange flesh is good for both body and mind :-) Paired with the red pomegranate arils and...
We've found the perfect side dish for meat and fish: a sweet potato gratin! To add even more flavor, we combine it with coconut milk and curry. Super easy to make, this recipe also makes a perfect vegetarian dish when paired with a mixed salad ;-) Give...
Chickpeas are on the menu today! Enjoy this recipe as a starter or an appetizer, served with pita bread, toast, or crudités ;-)
You never have enough easy and healthy recipes in your cookbook, right? Especially when you’re looking to make something that will provide several meals . So we suggest using your couscous in a couscous salad recipe ! With seasonal vegetables and...
One of our favorite recipes to make with chickpeas? Falafels! This famous recipe from the Middle East will tantalize your taste buds. A healthy, vegetarian, and aromatic preparation that showcases the richness of Lebanese cuisine. Whether as an...
With this step-by-step recipe, we show you how to make crispy, easy homemade French fries. Foolproof, you'll soon realize that making fries is an art! ;-) Kids and adults alike won't be able to resist them! Serve them with your Sunday chicken or...
When you come home in the evening after a day in the rain and cold, the solution lies in dinner with this delicious leek, coconut, and curry soup! Creamy and very easy to make, it will bring sunshine into your home as well as a touch of the exotic!...
What if we turned our corn tortillas into bowls to hold a mixed salad? A fluted mold, a trip to the oven, and you're done ;-) We'll explain how we did it in the instructions below ↓ For the rest, just combine the ingredients of your choice ;-)
Sicilian caponata is certainly one of the best vegetable stews made with eggplant, tomatoes and onion. Served as a starter on bruschetta or as a side dish with meat, it is very flavorful. Make it in summer or winter, as it can be served hot or cold....
For an easy-to-make recipe that warms you up on chilly days, choose this soup! With the addition of chickpeas and spinach, it will be hearty and balanced while still being simple! A great tip for getting kids (or adults ;-) ) to eat their veggies!
In the category of comforting and original recipes, we love this red lentil dahl! Not only does it introduce this legume to the whole family, but this dish is also vegetarian. A great way to diversify your menus while enjoying yourself :-) Flavored...
A new creamy cold pasta dish is ready to brighten your warm summer days. This time, we made it with avocado cream, almonds and cherry tomatoes . It’s a great recipe for this season: it’s very quick to make, and you can prepare the dressing...
Made with a few simple ingredients and without eggs, these gnocchi are a lighter alternative to traditional potato gnocchi . We made them with frozen peas , so you can serve them all year round. This recipe is suitable not only for those following...
We’re familiar with classic wheat-flour spaghetti and gluten-free alternatives made from corn, buckwheat, rice, and more. But have you tried konjac spaghetti? An excellent slimming aid, this product is fat-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, salt-free, high...
Enhance the flavors of your plain tofu and make it crispy after a quick sauté. Pair it with rice and vegetables for a fragrant and balanced meal. Are you ready to try it?
What could be more comforting than risotto for a meal? Oh no, you've run out of short-grain rice! No problem, you realize you still have some quinoa left: a good opportunity to experiment with other starchy ingredients ;-) Let's make this...
Delicious as can be, here’s a new idea for a sauce to accompany your pasta. With this vegetarian bolognese, you’ll surprise and delight everyone around the table. But what have we used instead of meat? Discover it through our step-by-step instructions...
A word to the wise
Even if Veganuary is accessible to many people, it's important to stay in tune with your body.
Here are a few useful reminders:
- give priority to complete meals, not just vegetables,
- don't neglect certain nutrients (vitamin B12, iodine, calcium, omega-3),
- gradually increase fiber intake,
- drink enough water.
And of course, in the event of pregnancy, pathology or medical treatment, it's always best to seek the advice of a health professional.
Patricia González
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