Ella Scott
For thousands of Brits, January spells a month of abstaining from alcohol, embarking on the popular ‘75 Hard’ challenge, and trying to exclusively eat vegan food.
If you’re in the latter camp, and you've managed not to consume any meat or dairy products so far, then you'd probably agree that your ‘Veganuary’ has been a success so far.
Around 25 million people take part in Veganuary each year, according to statistics published by the non-profit campaign.
Rules include: getting out of your comfort zone, whipping up vegan alternatives to your favourite weekday staples, and embracing plant-based snacks for 31 days.
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One person who doesn’t just limit his diet to January is broadcaster and environmentalist Chris Packham.
The 64-year-old has been a vocal supporter of a plant-based living for decades, previously telling BBC Good Food that it ‘drives you to produce more food from fresh ingredients’.
As well as being critical of heavily processed plant-based foods, the presenter admitted he doesn’t eat fruit because of its texture, and that he enjoys fresh vegetables, and home-cooked meals.
Packham, who has been vegetarian since his early 20s and fully vegan since 2019, recently admitted that his two dogs are following his diet for the month.
The miniature poodles, named Sid and Nancy, are currently eating a plant-based dog food after their owner decided to partner with Omni Pets for Veganuary.
Speaking about the decision on Good Morning Britain, Packham said the health of his pooches were the ‘first thing’ he and his partner Charlotte Corney thought about.
“What consistent new research is showing is that plant-based diets are as good nutritionally, or even better, than meat-based diets,” he claimed. “It does need to be a well-formulated diet, though.”
Omni, a Dragons’ Den-backed brand, will be Sid and Nancy’s food provider for three months.
Packham will be keeping a diary of his dogs’ energy levels and keep track of their health and digestion, according to Vegan Food and Living.
Dr Guy Sandelowsky, co-founder of the brand, will also help monitor the dogs, paying particular attention to the ‘canine gut-brain connection’ to see if the vegan diet will help ‘stabilise mood and reduce stress responses’ within the animals.
Businesswoman Deborah Meaden, who also feeds her dogs Omni, said: “The collective action of more than 13 million UK dog owners following Chris and me would have an enormous impact on the planet.”
She added that her furry friends’ plant-based diet is ‘just as healthy [as meat], if not better’.
Various published studies have suggested that vegan dog food can be ‘nutritionally adequate’ for dogs, with scientists suggesting it could help reduce climate change by up to 37 percent.
Another research team found that of 2,536 sampled dogs, the ones with vegan diets were ‘the healthiest’.
You should consult with your vet before transitioning your pets to a no-meat routine.