This early in the year, most people are still gung-ho on their resolutions, whether that means keeping toxic people at a distance, showing more gratitude, or sticking to a newly instated wellness regimen. If the latter is one you're focusing on, perhaps you'd be game for a dietary trend that even Beyoncé is on board with for January: veganism. If you've ever considered experimenting with a plant-based diet, but aren't ready to fully commit, there are tons of easy vegan recipes to try this month — and eating this way just might have you feeling like your best self.
As you'll probably recall, Beyoncé famously went on a strict 22-day vegan diet back in 2015, and apparently she and hubby Jay-Z are back on the wagon and encouraging others to give this lifestyle change a try for the month of January. Going along with that theme is registered charity Veganuary, which aims to inspire and offer resources for kicking off your own plant-based diet — for the month, or even longer.
In addition to the wellness aspect, veganism just might give you an added bonus of better skin, plus it reduces the carbon footprint, which means it benefits the environment. Still need a little motivation to get started? Just listen to the benefits, as noted by registered dietician and recipe developer Sharon Palmer, who's penchant for a plant-based diet also inspired her to pen the texts The Plant-Powered Diet: The Lifelong Eating Plan for Achieving Optimal Health, Beginning Today and Plant-Powered for Life: Eat Your Way to Lasting Health with 52 Simple Steps & 125 Delicious Recipes.
"Research now shows that vegan diets are linked with health improvements, such as a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, hypertension, and inflammation," she explains. "It’s because a vegan diet is rich in all of the 'good' stuff, like vitamins, minerals, fibers, healthy fats, and antioxidants, and low in all of the things we must watch out for, such as saturated fat, cholesterol, and toxins related to the processing of meats."
As for who's a good candidate for giving a vegan diet a whirl, obviously it's always best to speak to your physician with any concerns, but Palmer believes it to be a great option for those looking to lower blood pressure, decrease their risk of cancer, manage diabetes, or just maintain better health. And while she recognizes that there's a common perception that vegans tend to be lacking in the protein department, that doesn't have to be the case. "By planning ahead and incorporating plenty of plant-based protein sources — such as beans, pistachios, and soy foods — into your diet, you can get as much protein as your body needs."
In addition, according to Palmer, going vegan doesn't mean giving up some of your favorite dishes — maybe just giving them a little upgrade. "I would recommend starting simple, with some vegan versions of your favorite foods — such as veggie burgers, veggie tacos, vegetarian chili, and more," she says. "It’s a matter of swapping out plant proteins for animal proteins, such as beans for taco meat, veggie burgers for hamburgers, and lentils for chicken." In fact, both her website and Veganuary's are stocked with easy-to-follow vegan recipes you can start whipping up today. Ahead, find five breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that are simple to prepare and will keep you totally satiated — sans any animal products.
Moroccan Sorghum Bowl
See the full recipe here.
Smoky Lentil Chili
See the full recipe here.
Tofu Scramble
See the full recipe here.
One-Pot Linguini With Olives, Capers, And Sun-Dried Tomatoes
See the full recipe here.
Roast Vegetable Pizza
See the full recipe here.
