Let's Think Vegan

Let’s think vegan diets for January 2019

Since 2016, over 3 million people have switched to a vegan diet and this trend looks set to continue – especially when boosted by the Veganuary initiative. In 2018, more than 150,000 people signed the pledge to follow a vegan diet for the first 31 days of the year and it’s expected that even more will do so in 2019. Add to that the number of folk who make New Year Resolutions to eat plant-based meals more regularly and those who just want something meat-free after the Christmas excesses and it makes sense to offer vegan options on your menu.

So what makes people choose a vegan diet?

The key catalyst is usually a love of animals and not wanting to exploit them for food or clothing. This doesn’t just mean not eating meat or fish, but also products from animals, such as milk, butter, honey and eggs.

More recent interest in veganism has been prompted by environmental and sustainability issues. Apart from greenhouse gases created by methane emissions from farm animals, the cultivation of land to grow crops for animal feed is contributing to deforestation and habitat loss in some parts of the world. A plant-based diet requires only one third of the land needed to support a meat and dairy diet. Makes you think!

And there are health aspects too. Following a well-planned vegan diet will ensure you eat healthily and obtain all the necessary nutrients to function well. Recent research has shown that following a vegan diet may lower cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

What can I offer my vegan customers?

Luckily it’s not too difficult as a vegan diet comprises a richly diverse range of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains, and beans and pulses. The combinations are endless. If you’ve already got vegetarian options on your menu, these can be adapted by using the many fabulous substitutes for the necessary dairy ingredients.

Most people find they can’t go vegan overnight, they have to make small adjustments, perhaps one meal at a time. By offering a vegan choice on your menu you can help. Don’t limit it to just main courses either. Vegans like starters and puds too – and sandwiches and snacks!

It’s a new opportunity

There are thousands of vegan recipes from around the world to discover, so as well as enticing new customers with your vegan menu options, it’s a chance to tempt existing customers with something different and also set yourself a creative challenge.

Last January, many of those who pledged a month of following a vegan diet became committed vegans. With the Vegan Society actively encouraging the ordering of vegan dishes in restaurants and pubs, perhaps it’s time to commit to introducing at least one vegan dish to your menu every month!

For more help and inspiration, talk to our sales team.