Veganuary: The Chronicles of Eating Cheese In A Guilt Filled Frenzy
This year I decided to take on veganuary, a relatively new resolution trend aiming to educate and promote a vegan lifestyle. I’m not really one for resolutions, but seeing the impact the meat and diary industry is having on the planet and the animals themselves, I thought I’d better give it a go.
As I’ve been a veggie for the past 4 years, I thought this would be a piece of cake. I had switched to plant-based milk and butter a few years ago and I find the concept of an egg to be bizarre, so cheese was the last animal product I had to eliminate. Unfortunately for me, I also happen to be a huge fan of cheese…
So, what did January look like for me?
I’ll admit it - for a long time - meals without cheese felt bland and pointless. At any given time, I had about 6 different types of cheese in my fridge which would mockingly stare out at me as I picked up my vegan substitute. (5/10 would only recommend if necessary).
Additionally, the most difficult thing was finding something that is equally as delicious and filling to bulk out my meals; there is only so much avocado on toast I can handle.
With every resolution there is going to be slip ups, and yes I admit it, I had my fair share. All of which happened when I was either unaware something had dairy in it (always read the labels carefully) or just from giving into my cravings, with hangovers only being partly responsible. There was a lot of thinking solely with my stomach and then living with the guilt afterwards.
After reading this, you may be wondering why I took part in something that I clearly found so difficult. And to that I would say because otherwise I’d feel like a fraud. I’ve always been a huge animal lover and environmental advocate, so going veggie was the logical first step. Now I’m trying to finally take the plunge and go all the way. Also, cows are so fucking cute.
The treatment farm animals endure is barbaric and deeply saddening, and I feel that I would be a hypocrite for happily munching away at my halloumi whilst holding these beliefs. Dairy cows have been found to have best friends which make them feel calmer, whilst chickens have been found to solve maths problems and form strong social bonds, hence the term ‘mother hen’ being used to describe strong maternal and protective personalities. Obviously being vegan is hard, yet I compare my situation to what these poor animals have to go through everyday and tell myself to suck it up.
For me, veganuary is a test run for transitioning into this diet full-time, which is why I think I’ve found it so hard. Some of my friends are also taking part, but only for the month and already can’t wait to go back to things like cheese and butter. I think the fact that they live together makes it a lot easier to keep to the resolution, whereas I’m living at home watching my family happily munch away on whatever they feel like.
Slip-ups in mind, I have learnt a few things and the best piece of advice I could give anyone attempting a drastic dietary change is to always plan ahead! Research alternatives! Read food labels! Or you’ll find yourself sitting on the kitchen floor stuffing your face with cheddar wondering how it all went so wrong.
Even more importantly, I think the main thing is to be patient with yourself. I was putting a huge amount of pressure on myself to make extremely healthy meals and to beat myself up whenever I ate a non-vegan product, but the truth is it’s about being better, not perfect.
Through doing Veganuary, I’ve learnt to be patient with myself and accept it’s never going to go perfectly. if this is a change I'm going to keep up, there are bound to be times I slip up.
It’s a drastic dietary change and it requires a lot of planning and will power… so I guess what I’m trying to say is this - be kind to yourselves, you’re doing AMAZING sweetie.
Written by Kelsey Goldstein
I’m Kelsey, 23 and recently graduated from Bristol University. I’m currently living at home, saving to go travelling ASAP. Dogs and food are my everything.