- More and more people are now doing ‘Veganuary’ – giving up animal products for the whole of January in a bid to ‘cleanse’ their bodies
- The diet became popular after Beyoncé and Jay-Z went vegan for 22 days
- They do so for the health benefits and as a form of detox
- Venus Williams and Leona Lewis have also gone vegan at some point
By
Emma Innes
09:34 EST, 22 January 2014
|
11:01 EST, 22 January 2014
More and more people have been going on vegan detoxes since Beyonce and Jay-Z announced they were giving up eating animal products for 22 days
We have all heard of ‘Dry January’ but now some people are taking New Year’s resolutions a step further and giving up all animal products for a month.
A growing number of people are swapping to a vegan diet for a few weeks each year in a bid to ‘cleanse’ their bodies.
The diet gained popularity after singer Beyoncé and rapper Jay-Z went vegan for 22 days at the end of 2013.
The Vegan Society says more and more people are now signing up to ‘Veganuary’, the BBC reports.
It says 40 per cent more people followed the diet in the first two months of 2013 than in the first two months of 2012.
People adopt the diet temporarily for a range of reasons, including to shed their excess Christmas pounds and to detox.
Juliet Gellatley, director of the vegan and vegetarian group Viva, says most people do it either because of health concerns or because they have developed greater awareness of animal rights.
She told the BBC: ‘People might be prone to heart disease or want to get their cholesterol down.
‘Or it might be because they’ve seen something on factory farming. But once people turn to veganism, they usually open their minds to the other issue too.
‘The third factor, which is more unusual, is environmental reasons such as global warning or deforestation.’
The Vegan Society estimates that about 150,000 people in the UK are vegan.
This means they don’t eat anything that comes from an animal: fish, meat or anything containing animal fats.
They also avoid dairy products such as cows’ milk, cheese and yoghurt and also eggs or products containing eggs.
One person to go vegan for a month is Rachel Hollos, a marketing director from London.
She says she is doing ‘Veganuary’ for the health benefits after reading that people do not really need dairy products and that cows’ milk contains hormones that put human hormones out of sync.
Venus Williams says her overall health has improved dramatically since she stopped eating animal products
She says the diet is easy to follow during the week but that she struggles when eating out at weekends.
She also admitted to missing the cakes and chocolates she had to give up because they contain butter, eggs or milk.
Ms Hollos said the diet makes her feel more energetic and less bloated but that it has also left her feeling hungry.
WHAT DO VEGANS EAT?
 A vegan diet is primarily made up of grains, beans, fruits and vegetables.
Vegans do not eat anything that comes from an animal.
Therefore, they do not eat fish, meat or anything containing animal fats.
They also avoid dairy products such as cows’ milk, cheese and yoghurt.
They do not eat eggs or products containing eggs.
They also avoid foods processed using animal products – such as refined white sugar and some wines.
They
tend not to wear clothes made from animals – such as leather and wool –
and using beauty products and medicines that have been tested on
animals.
Ms Gellatley says people, especially men, used to be macho in their desire to eat meat but that many influential men are now admitting they believe a vegan diet is healthier.
She says this is making the diet more socially acceptable.
As a result, she explained there has been a ‘seismic shift in attitude’ towards going vegan and that it is ‘no longer seen as alien’.
The increasing acceptability of a vegan diet has been fuelled by a number of celebrities admitting they have adopted it.
Tennis ace Venus Williams says her overall health has improved dramatically since she stopped eating animal products.
She has Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune illness that causes muscular pain and fatigue, and giving up meat, she says, has eradicated the worst symptoms, including joint pain and swelling.
But she recently said: ‘I think it’s pretty well known that I’m a cheagan (a vegan who occasionally eats meat). I’m not perfect but I try.’
British singer Leona Lewis has also announced she has become a vegan.
Increasing evidence suggests a vegan diet has health benefits for everyone- from easing painful creaky joints to lowering cholesterol and boosting heart health.
People who eat a lot of red meat are more likely to develop arthritis, they are also at greater risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
But some experts argue there are many nutrients we can only get from meat – and that a vegan or vegetarian diet can have serious implications for our health.
For example, some people believe vegans risk a deficiency in vitamin B12 – which is crucial for maintaining energy levels – and in protein which is essential for maintaining muscle health.
or comment on this article
-
23-year-old woman brutally beaten outside night club
-
Porn star fears her illegal O-sized breasts could kill her
-
Ocelot kitten and dog are best friends
-
Shocking moment CrossFit athlete is paralyzed by dumbbell
-
The moment woman confronts her rapist teacher
-
Freak parasailing accident caught on camera
-
Seahawks’ Richard Sherman goes on bizarre post-game rant
-
See the new Smith Wesson .460 calibre ‘backpack cannon’
-
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford swears with Jamaican accent
-
Building where Chinese killer kept women as sex slaves
-
Is THIS an ALIEN BASE on the MOON?
-
Al Roker blasts de Blasio for late response to snowstorm
-
‘She had lost confidence’: Penn track star, 19, jumped to…
-
Police arrest female suspect in connection with attack on…
-
Hospital under investigation after two healthy women die…
-
Burlesque beauties of the 1890s: Stunning vintage photos of…
-
Chinese pensioner suffers third-degree burns after static…
-
Boyfriend, 22, admits to strangling pregnant girlfriend, 25,…
-
‘We have to be strong for Madison’: Devastated father says…
-
‘My body prepared itself to die’: Girl, 17, who was left in…
-
Now that’s a jelly fish! Stunned fisherman catches wobbly…
-
‘It’s really sad’: Calm and composed Richard Sherman calls…
-
De Blasio has left New York City on its a**! Al Roker leads…
-
Naked man holds his girlfriend hostage on top of a roof with…
Comments (53)
what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
Sam,
sitonme,
1 hour ago
durianrider on youtube to educated yourself about the vegan lifestyle if you don’t then I don’t really care
Reds,
London, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
So if they picked their noses and ate it and it was made public, how many people would follow suit.
V V,
Cheshire, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Me!! It’s amazing. I’m a week day, raw vegan, for health reasons. It also allows me to ensure the meat I do buy at the weekend, is high welfare and organic, with out breaking the bank. My figure, skin and energy levels have never been better. I’m a stone lighter and have a toned stomach. Even after 2 c sections. Abs are made in the kitchen.
V V,
Cheshire, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Me!! It’s amazing. I’m a week day vegan, for health reasons. It also allows me to ensure the meat I do buy at the weekend, is night welfare and organic, with our breaking the bank. My figure, skin and energy levels have never been better. I’m a stone lighter and have a toned stomach. Even after 2 c sections. Abs are made in the kitchen.
Andie Mann,
London, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
So Beyoncé and Jaycee went vegan to cleanse their bodies and look good. But they wear shoes made of elephant skin and can’t cleanse their souls.
Andie Mann,
London, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Yan,
Warsaw,
2 hours ago
More people following those known Satanist. Wonderful! I bet society will benefit. Not
DB1,
Nottingham ENGLAND, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Vegans or vauge uns? Do meat eaters try to force vegans and veggies to eat meat NO so stop trying to convert us to your ways you pale skinned sickly looking bunch of tree huggers!
Chickpea the Tortie,
London, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Marion,
Boston,
43 minutes ago
tdlegge,
Monmouthshire, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
How can you spot a vegan at a party? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you!
Chickpea the Tortie,
London, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
Marion,
Boston,
43 minutes ago
Nathan James Crowle,
Truro, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
When i want to “Cleanse†my body I go an pick an prepare Herb’s.. Free Natural and I DONT have to give up meat Try it people!!! For a good natural cleansing Add Nettles and Dandelion leaves to hot water and brew for 5 or so mins… X3 cups a day for a week after the 2nd 3rd day u should notice your self going to the toilet more often. As well as giving u a nice shot of Vit C. When u stop drinking the tea after a weeks Use you’ll almost immediately go back to a normal toilet rhythm(NOTE) Whilst dandelion is on the FDA’s “Approved†list people with IBS or other gastric complaints SHOULD seek professional advice!
charlie,
portsmouth,
2 hours ago
Look at fact, humans are carnivours.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Find out now