Top Veganuary Tips From Expert TVK Staff Members

Going completely vegan and cruelty-free for an entire month can be a daunting thought. So, who better to seek advice from than a crack team of expert vegan ninjas! Our dedicated, passionate staff have decades worth of experience between them, and were more than happy to pass on a few of their top tips. 👀

“Join local vegan Facebook groups etc. It’s a great way to learn about what’s going on in your area - restaurants and shops with good vegan options and so on.” - Kate D

“My top tip would be to follow some realistic vegan creators and news sources on social media, as they will give a really great insight into how veganism looks on a daily basis.” - Hannah G

“Search hashtags for things like ‘veganfood’, ‘veganinspiration’, ‘plantbaseddiet’, ‘veganuary’ and ‘veganblog’ for support.” - Claire

There are likely a whole host of social support groups in your local area that you aren’t aware of. Communities such as Facebook groups, Reddit, and Instagram can be a fantastic way to learn all about the ins and outs of a vegan lifestyle. From why people care to where they go to shop, socialise, and eat out, most vegans are more than willing to answer any and all questions as they were once in the same position as you. You might even pick up some new best pals along the way - an online buddy or an irl friend you meet at an organised gathering!

On platforms like Instagram you can follow vegans living their best life day in, day out, year after year. Become inspired by their tempting recipes, eating out guides, emotional support, and shopping tips.

TVK accounts we highly recommend: 

“I'd say start by making vegan versions of meals you already eat rather than looking for specific, all-new vegan recipes. Once you have some simple, quick meals you're confident with, you can then start introducing new ingredients and recipes.” - Hannah S

“Veganise what you normally eat, don't over complicate it!” - Kate D

“I think pasting what you normally eat to a vegan diet is the easiest way to build habits and maintain the change.” - Rachel 

“Don't try to go raw, plant based vegan, cruelty free, zero waste, etc. overnight. Start with swapping your diet, then you can slowly move towards other things with time.” - Hannah G

A common tip amongst the TVK staff was to keep things as simple as possible, and as close to what you normally eat. There are an abundance of vegan versions out there, and we’re confident you can find almost all of them here at The Vegan Kind Supermarket! Take your bestets, death-row three course meals and snacks, and we promise you can replicate them faithfully and barely taste the difference!

Going vegan doesn’t have to mean missing out on anything. You can eat as healthy or as indulgent as you like, or perhaps more sensibly, a mix of the two! It's not about being po-faced or perfect or a fruitarian or anything out of the ordinary at all, it’s simply about making cruelty free choices - choices that positively affect you, the animals, and the planet.

Changing your diet overnight can be stressful and overwhelming so starting out slow with plant-based versions of your favourite comfort meals is a fun way to ease into a meat and dairy free lifestyle without missing too much of what you’re used to. You can then add in new and unusual things later on once your body has adjusted, and you’ve grown more confident in your plant-based cooking skills. There’s no need to suddenly feel like you’re a vegan head chef. 👩‍🍳

“I'd recommend finding good alternatives for your favourite snacks ASAP. Nomo, Rhythm 108, King Monty are my faves!” - Emma

“Try loads of vegan snacks/junk food so you don't feel like you're restricting yourself too much and have things to indulge in.” - Gabriella

“It can be daunting for people to completely buy in new products.” - Kate D

Much like familiar mealtimes, snacks are something we cherish dearly. They keep us going throughout the day and sometimes double as our desserts or little teatime rewards. Indeed, many of our favourite treats have been by our side since childhood - faithfully in our pockets, lunchboxes, and pantrys. Thankfully, just like breakfasts, lunches and dinners, there are vegan versions of all kinds of sweet and savoury goodies that taste just as good as you’re used to!

Did you know, a lot of products you already buy are secretly vegan, you just don’t realise? Our range of Accidentally Vegan products by large, non-vegan brands include chocolate, sweets, crisps, drinks and more, made with all plant-based ingredients by companies who didn’t even realise they were on our side - whoops! 😉 

“Take advantage of Veganuary promos: loads of restaurants do discounts on vegan menus for the month - it’s a good opportunity for cheap food and a great way to try out some new things.” - Kate D

“Google ‘best vegan cafes and restaurants’ in your local area then taste how good vegan food can be - You can then use the menu as inspiration for future home-cooked meals!” -  Emer

These days, we’re very lucky indeed when it comes to vegan offerings in restaurants and cafes. Most cities and towns around the U.K. have plant-based options in the majority of establishments. This is a fantastic way to support vegetarians, vegans, flexitarians, or those who like to dip in and out.

Up and down the country you’ll also find many dedicated, fully-vegan establishments! Feast your eyes on all plant-based menus without a worry for what might be hidden in the ingredients, or served to you by mistake. www.happycow.net is a fabulous guide for vegan dining all around the world. Simply type in your location or postcode and you’ll be recommended a wealth of options from fully to partially vegan businesses. 

Plus, during the month of January, many companies offer special Veganuary deals and promos for eating in and takeaway! So, keep a beady eye on restaurants’, bars’ and cafes’ socials for discounts, 2 for 1s, loyalty cards, and much more including Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Pizza Express and lots more! 👀

This is also a fantastic way to taste vegan meals made by expert plant-based chefs! Simply sample as many as your belly and wallet can handle, then try them out for yourself at home! From dinners and desserts to drinks and snacks and everything in between, our fantastic range of plant-based recipes by trusted chefs is the perfect place to begin.

For cosy TV nights-in, why not explore our “fakeaway” bundles: fun, minimal-effort meals-for-two that also save you money!

“Do research on vitamins and supplements where vegan food may be lacking - B12 and vitamin D being the most obvious, and research protein alternatives/substitutes like beans, seitan.” - Leo

“There’s a danger in losing weight without enough fat in your diet. I had to learn this lesson the hard way.” - Paul

“If you’re trying tofu, go for a pre-flavoured one.” - Kate D

You might understandably worry about vitamins and minerals during your new vegan journey. Where exactly are they coming from? A healthy vegan diet should be nutritionally sufficient in most areas, but one thing to look out for is Vitamin D and B12 as these need to be added in. Thankfully, they are fortified in many plant-based foods such as cereals and milks, but you can also supplement. If you would like to be extra safe, especially since we are in winter time, put your mind at ease with an immunity boosting multivitamin. 

Tofu is a fantastic source of protein for vegetarians and vegans but can be a tricky thing to get right as a novice. Available in all kinds of flavours, sizes and cooking methods, we recommend avoiding the plain and non-drained versions, and sticking with the flavoured, ready-to-eat kind. Delicious in sandwiches, stir frys and alongside all kinds of plant-based sides, tofu is a dependable, healthy, protein-packed meat alternative. 

Some people might aim for über-healthy diets full of vegetables and fruits. These are fantastic for your mind and body. However, since they are mostly carbohydrates, you would be lacking in healthy fats such as nuts and protein such as tofu. Get fully informed on all the ins and outs of protein for building and maintaining muscle, healthy fats, and so much more in our ever-growing plant-based health section. 

Which vegan meats look, taste, and smell as close to the real thing as possible, we hear you wonder. Well, wonder no more! Based on our staff’s favourites and our best sellers, here is a guide to the very, very best in plant-based meats.

THIS - Isn’t Chicken Pieces - “Comes highly approved by my non-vegan wife.” - Barry

Beyond Meat - Beyond Burger - Plant Based Patties (2 Pack) - The vegan converter! Try this one out on your pals and watch their curious face when you tell them it's fully plant-based!

THIS - Isn’t Bacon Plant-Based Rashers Box - Another win for THIS! These tasty bacon slices are a must-try on a slow Saturday morning with a cup of milky plant-based tea. 😋

Meatless Farm Co - 6 Plant-Based Sausages - A thick, juicy, “meaty” moment of vegan heaven. Best served with ketchup in a roll, we humble suggest!

Sgaia - Original Steaks (2 Pack) - Serve as a chewy, meaty main with veggies and potatoes, or, chop it up and add to an array of vegan meals such as salads and pastas!

If there’s one thing our highly knowledgeable staff know, it’s their favourite plant-based treats! Here is just a sample of some big, big loves.

Vego Hazelnut Spread - “SO much better than Nutella!” - Emer 

Kettle Chip Sheese and Onion - “Surprisingly very cheesy.” - Barry

Koko Dairy Free Cheddar Cheese Alternative - “Easily the best cheese!” - Kate D

Clarana - Organic Chocolate Seashells “I’m OBSESSED with these.” - Claire 

Trek Salted Caramel Protein Flapjack - “Goes so well with my morning coffee. I simply couldn't get through the day without one.” - Leo

Fabulous Free From Factory - Sea-Salted Chocovered Fudgee Bites - “Such a tasty combination of sweet and salty, and they are so moreish it's impossible not to eat the whole bag.” - Hannah S

NOMO Vegan Caramel Filled Chocolate Bar - “Better than Galaxy Caramel!” - Andy

Images courtesy of cottonbro, Roman Odintsov, and Rūdolfs Klintsons via Pexels.