Veganuary, Gently: How to Support Your Body in January
- Evelin Banderas
- Jan 8
- 4 min read
January arrived with its usual set of resolutions. Louder training plans, stricter diets, bigger promises. But there is another way to begin the year. Softer. More curious. More in dialogue with the body, and the world. More sustainable.
Veganuary often enters the conversation in January as a challenge. Here at Ballates, we prefer to see it as an invitation. Not a radical shift. Not a rulebook. Simply a possibility.
What is Veganuary, really?
Veganuary is a global movement that began in the UK in 2014. The idea is simple: explore a plant-based way of eating during the month of January. For some, it is about environmental awareness. For others, animal welfare or personal health. For many, it is just curiosity. And that's all OK.
Millions of people participate worldwide each year, and many brands, restaurants and artists join the movement during January. But what often gets lost is this: Veganuary does not need to be all or nothing.
Our perspective: support before restriction
After the holidays, the body is not asking for punishment. It is asking for support.
A more plant-forward January can work as a gentle reset. More fiber. More hydration. More micronutrients. More awareness of how food actually makes you feel. And this is not about labels, ok? You do not need to become vegan overnight to benefit from Veganuary. Even a few plant-based days per week can:
Support digestion
Reduce inflammation
Improve energy levels
Lighten the load on the nervous system
Think of it as a detox of habits, not identity.
How to approach Veganuary without radicalism
If January already feels intense, here are softer ways to participate:
Start with one plant-based meal per day
Choose breakfast or dinner as your anchor
Focus on addition, not elimination
Keep meals simple and warm
Plan in advance
Prioritize protein, minerals and healthy fats
Remember: a calm body adapts better than a stressed one.
Curated inspiration: Books & Profiles we love
To help you from start to finish, in this article, we've put together a guide of curated resources, from plant-based cookbooks, meal plans and even youtube/IG channels to help you this January! Rather than overwhelm, we believe in guidance. These are resources that inspire without rigidity.
Created by the founder of Ballates, this book was born as a bonus for the platform membership, but became so much more, full of stories, places to go and tips on how to organize yourself for the plant-based lifestyle. Evelin is a gluten-free and plant-based advocate that presents over 50 accessible, gluten-free, plant-based recipes, woven with practical tips for daily life, tour guide and more. A companion rather than a manual.
This book is a celebration of simple, zero-waste plant-based cooking. Practical, intelligent and deeply modern. Ideal for anyone who wants to eat better without excess, "You Can Cook This deserves all the laurels it has received. It has 135 super-simple plant-based recipes that saves time, money, and waste.
More than recipes, this book carries warmth. Easy, family-friendly meals paired with reflections on health, intuition and joy. This award-winning book (voted the Favorite Vegan Cookbook of 2023 by VegNews) is full of heart and stories from the spirit. More than just a cookbook, it's a book for the soul!
The secret to have a successful plant-based lifestyle is planning ahead, and in this book, besides the amazing recipes, you'll have tips for planning and prepping your every meal. It's a flavor-filled and holistic cooking for the whole family.
For those who love efficiency. Everyday plant-based meals made simpler with an Instant Pot, without sacrificing depth of flavor. You can also use a non-electrical one, but if whenever possible, we choose what makes our lives easier.
Online Inspiration worth following
Digital spaces supports are so important, and these Blogs/Profiles will be immensely helpful and easy your journey with delicious recipes, tips and tricks:
Max La Manna (@maxlamanna) – zero-waste, creative and realistic plant-based food
Deliciously Ella (@deliciouslyella) – nourishing recipes with elegance and ease
The Minimalist Baker (@minimalistbaker) – simple recipes with minimal ingredients
BOSH! (@bosh.tv) – vibrant, visual and playful vegan cooking
Ela Vegan (@elavegan) – gluten-free and plant-based recipes with personality
Follow slowly. Save what resonates. Ignore the rest.
A January That Listens
Veganuary does not need to be a challenge to complete, and yet, might be the push you were hoping for. It's time to notice how your digestion responds, how your energy shifts, and how your relationship with food softens when pressure is removed.
Real transformation happens through consistency and care, not extremes.
If Veganuary enters your year, let it enter gently. And if it stays beyond January, let it be because your body asked for it.
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