Nearly a fifth (19%) of Brits are taking part in Veganuary and one third in Dry January, according to research conducted by The Harris Poll UK.
Twenty-four to 34-year-olds were most likely to take part in Veganuary, as 37% said they were eating a vegan or plant-based diet this month, falling to 18% of 45 to 54-year-olds and 6% of 55 to 64-year-olds.
Veganuary was more popular with those who have previously dabbled in veganism or vegetarianism. Two thirds of participants said they had actively chosen plant-based options but not fully embraced a vegan diet before, while 19% were starting Veganuary with less experience of avoiding meat and animal products. Fifteen per cent are already vegan.
They’re also more likely to talk about it: 89% have told friends and family, colleagues or posted about their participation in Veganuary, versus 75% of those taking part in Dry January.
Fifty per cent of 24 to 34-year-olds said they were giving up alcohol for January, compared with 24% of 55 to 64-year-olds and 16% of those aged 65 and over.
The most common reason for participation was to improve health, with 59% of Veganuary and 57% of Dry January participants identifying this as one of their main reasons for taking part. Mental wellbeing and weight management came second and third, with saving money and resetting habits after Christmas key for those avoiding alcohol.
Thirty-seven per cent of those doing Veganuary report it to be going ‘really well’. A further 52% report it to be going ‘quite well’ with some challenges. Almost half (49%) of people doing Dry January said they were finding it easier than expected.
Some 56% of the nationally representative survey of 1,000 people said they weren’t setting themselves any type of challenge for January. Most of those taking place said they hoped it would lead to longer term changes to their diet or alcohol consumption.
Some 56% of the nationally representative survey of 1,000 people said they weren’t setting themselves any type of challenge for January.
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