If you’ve ever thought about going vegan, January is the perfect month to give it a try! Why? The first month of the year is Veganuary – a movement which seeks to inspire people to try a plant-based existence for 31 days for the benefit of our planet, animals and their own health.
Last year, 620,000 people from 220 different countries and territories signed up via Veganuary to give it a try, and famous ambassadors include Joachin Phoenix and Paul McCartney. Do you want to join the list of plant-powered people?
If the answer is yes, then keep reading, we’ve compiled a shopping list of the top vegan brands and products to check out in the areas of health and beauty, fashion and cuisine to make Veganary easy. You’ll be pleased to see you don’t have to compromise on anything!
Did you know all these celebrities are vegan?
Where can I buy vegan foods?
The best places to food shop when you're a vegan include: Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons. The majority of supermarkets now stock a number of vegan alternatives, and many of them have brought out their own vegan ranges in store.
Your one-stop shop for everything plant, based - The Vegan Kind is a great website for Veganuary. You can find beauty and lifestyle subscription boxes, over 200 vegan cheeses, plant-based bacon, dairy-free chocs and much more in their vegan supermarket. Plus there are recipes and meal planners too.
If you're looking for something a bit more niche, whether that be lesser-known vegan brands or specialist foods e.g. vegan chocolate or sweets as well as food supplements, then Holland & Barrett has a wide range of products available to shop online. It's also worth browsing Amazon if there's a particular item that you're struggling to get your hands on.
Which supermarket is best for vegans?
The best supermarket for vegan shoppers has to be Waitrose. The brand stocks everything from delicious dairy alternatives to ready-made meals, soya mince and tofu to plant-based pizzas. With such a generous and wide-ranging selection of vegan foods to shop, you're spoilt for choice, making the transition to a plant-based diet that little bit easier.
Best vegan food products and brands
100% Dairy Free Sheese, Mature Cheddar Vegan Cheese Block (200g) £2.65, Waitrose
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Just because you're quitting the dairy doesn't mean you have to compromise on flavour when it comes to cheese! Bute Islands's Mature Cheddar style Sheese is an incredible-tasting 100% soya and dairy-free cheese alternative made with coconut oil. It’s free from lactose, gluten and produced using animal-free process.
Finnebrogue - Naked Without the Oink! Unsmoked "Bacon" Rashers (10 Pack) £2.50, Ocado
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This is as close to the "real" thing as you can get! These plant-based bacon rashers by Finnebrogue are ideal for fry-ups, morning rolls, and full English Breakfasts. They're high in protein, a source of fibre, soya free and with added Vitamin B12, iron and zinc.
Whitworth’s Protein By Nature pouches, £2 each, Tesco
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Plant-based brand Whitworths is stocked at Tescos. They have just released a ready-to-eat Protein By Nature range of beans, pulses and grains that is 100% vegan and provides 20g of plant-based protein per pack. It’s perfect for anyone getting on board with Veganuary who is put off by the thought of the time and effort required to prepare vegetarian/vegan dishes. The pouches are easy peasy - just enjoy cold, or simply stick it in the microwave for two minutes and serve as a side for two or a quick-fix meal for one. Flavours include Indian Lentil Dhal, Brazillian Smoky Beans and Mexican Spicy beans.
The Protein Works Peanut butter, £8.59, Amazon
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100% vegan, 100% peanuts, no palm oil and a great source of protein. And it's available in crunchy and smooth. What else do you need to know?
Nakd bars 18 pack, £16.99, Amazon
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If you’re looking for a delicious vegan snack then Nakd bars should be your go-to. They’re gluten and dairy-free with no added sugar and are both delicious and healthy, made of raw ingredients including fruits, nuts and berries and natural fruit juices and cocoa. Every bar in this snack box is different and mouth-watering flavours include Apple Danish, Blueberry Muffin, Peacan Pie and Banana Bread.
Vegan Minis Multipacks of 6, RRP £4.29, Tesco
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Did you know you can get your fave choccy ice cream in vegan version? Magnum has introduced miniature versions of their delish vegan flavours just in time for Veganuary. The multi-packs contain a selection of two winning flavours: x3 Magnum Vegan Classic and x3 Magnum Vegan Almond.
Noochy Poochy - 100% Complete Vegan Food For Dogs (2kg), £18.99 Amazon
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Now even your dog can go vegan! Noochy Poochy is the UK's first and only 100% nutritionally complete, cheesy flavour vegan dog food for adult dogs, developed and approved by vegan vets. It's packed full of goodness - the nutritional profile includes a 28% protein content, a Omega 6:3 ratio of 4:1, and amino acids L-Carnitine, DL-methionine and Taurine.
Which restaurants offer vegan options?
A lot of restaurants are incorporating vegan dishes into their menus, and some of the more accommodating chains include Pizza Express, Wagamama, Zizzi, Yo! Sushi, Nando's, Prezzo, Ask Italian and Carluccios.
Best vegan fashion products and brands
Unisex vegan Chelsea boots, £149, Dr Martins
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Iconic British footwear brand Dr Martens have a vegan range of boots, shoes and backpacks. Their versatile unisex Chelsea boot literally goes with everything and is super comfy when broken in (writing from experience here) thanks to their AirWair cushioned sole. They’re so well made that they will be seeing you through Veganary for many years to come.
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Black bow ballet pumps, £15.99, New Look
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Did you know high street faves New Look have a selection of vegan shoes, bags, clothes and accessories which have been approved by the Vegan Society? There are some really cute designs - check out these cute ballet pumps
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Veja, Women's V10 leather trainers, £160, Selfridges
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Veja have been making vegan sneaks for well over a decade. These beauties are made with ecological vegan leather and of course feature the now-iconic V on the side.
SHOP VEJA FULL RANGE AT SELFRIDGES
Friends not food t-shirt, £13.12, Etsy
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This cute t-shirt carries a message vegans everywhere can give the thumbs up.
Best vegan health and beauty products and brands
Herbivore exfoliating glow serum, £49, Cult Beauty
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This cruelty-free face serum takes your skin from dull to luminous in just ten seconds, encouraging cellular turnover to ease the appearance of hyperpigmentation while evening skin tone and texture. Herbivore features all vegan and cruelty-free ingredients while all packaging is recyclable and reusable.
SHOP HERBIVORE AT CULT BEAUTY
Flawless finish foundation, £7.20 (was £9), e.l.f
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e.l.f products (so-called because they are for every eye, lip and face) are cruelty-free, paraben-free, 100% vegan and extremely affordable to boot. An everyday must, their best-selling Flawless finish foundation delivers a lightweight semi-matte finish and blends naturally into the skin to help restore uneven tone and texture. There are 40 oil-free shades which you can try out virtually and if it’s not an exact match when it arrives, you can exchange within 30 days.
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Wild eco-friendly vegan deodorant, from £12, Wild
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Posted straight to your door in 100% recyclable packaging, Wild's eco-friendly and cruelty-free deodorant refills are available as a one-off purchase or part of a subscription service. The new Fresh Cotton and Sea Salt scent was Inspired by newly washed linen drying in a cool seaside breeze. Their refills are entirely plastic-free and are made using bamboo pulp which is 100% recyclable and home compostable.
The Beauty Crop Love Wins Lip Balm, £4.99, Superdrug
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Superdrug has a whole section devoted to vegan makeup, beauty, and gifts. You'll find a wealth of great brands, including e.l.f, MUA, NYX and The Beauty Crop.
SHOP VEGAN AT SUPERDRUG
Aveda advanced thickening conditioner, £9 for 40ml, £28 for 200ml, Cult Beauty
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Holistic beauty pioneers Aveda – inspired by the ancient art of Ayurveda - boast a renowned range of high performance and sustainably sourced, plant-powered products that are not only vegan and cruelty-free but feature eco-friendly, recyclable packaging too. Their best-selling thickening conditioner delivers weightless hydration and protects against breakage.
KVD Vegan beauty kitten tattoo liner, £10, Boots
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Kat Von D’s vegan makeup line started out as a small range of red lippies and expanded to include everything from liquid foundation to eye palettes. Kat’s award-winning tattoo liner is perfect for creating sharp cat eyewings and has a formula that’s perfect for layering, so you can keep drawing over your lines until you get the perfect shape.
SHOP KVD VEGAN BEAUTY AT BOOTS
KEEP READING
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