Veganuary: what is the 100% green global challenge

The start of a new year always has a special flavor: it’s like opening the first page of a brand-new notebook, ready to fill with hopes and resolutions for the months ahead, wishing they’ll come true as the year unfolds. Along with wishing you a happy and fulfilling 2026, we want to take this special day to remind you that today, with the beginning of January, marks the start of the twelfth edition of Veganuary, the global initiative that, throughout this month, promotes a vegan lifestyle around the world.

What is Veganuary

Founded in 2014 by Matthew Glover and Jane Land, Veganuary is a kind of global challenge that invites participants to eat vegan for the entire first month of the year (and maybe continue afterward). The name itself comes from combining “Vegan” and “January”. This event is organized by the UK-based nonprofit of the same name (you can visit their official website for more information) with the mission of encouraging and supporting people to try a plant-based diet. It provides recipes, guidance, and inspiration to show that eating without animal products can be flavorful, satisfying, and full of exciting foods to discover.

Veganuary: benefits for your body and the environment

The Veganuary manifesto states:

“We want a vegan world. A world without animal farms and slaughterhouses. A world where food production does not decimate forests, pollute rivers and oceans, exacerbate climate change, and drive wild animal populations to extinction”.

A plant-based diet is not only a way to protect the planet and reduce animal suffering, it’s also a true gift for your health, especially in these early days of the year following the indulgent holiday season. Eating vegan can have a detoxifying effect after weeks of rich and heavy food, helping the body reduce inflammation, cleanse the liver and kidneys, and improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Veganuary in numbers

Since its launch, the Veganuary movement has grown every year, attracting an ever-wider audience and gaining support from high-profile ambassadors such as Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney, and Joaquin Phoenix. We can see this success reflected in everyday life: vegan options are now common on restaurant menus, and supermarket shelves are increasingly stocked with plant-based products.

According to Veganuary’s own data, in 2025, participants from 228 countries and territories joined the “Vegan January” movement, and over 1,480 new plant-based products were launched. A YouGov survey also revealed that 25.8 million people worldwide chose to try a vegan diet during January 2025.

Tips for approaching a plant-based diet

For many newcomers, switching to a vegan diet can seem overwhelming. It’s not just about cutting out meat and fish, but also animal-derived ingredients like honey, milk, cheese, and eggs - staples in many everyday dishes.
And beyond food, those seeking a fully vegan lifestyle often aim to avoid items such as leather, wool clothing, or cosmetics tested on animals.

Adopting a vegan lifestyle isn’t always easy, but with these tips, you can integrate it naturally and without stress.

• Gradual change: this should be your motto. Don’t try to change everything overnight: it’s a recipe for failure. Instead, gradually replace animal-based ingredients with plant-based alternatives, focusing on seasonal fruits and vegetables.
• Planning: vegan meals require a bit of preparation. Plan your meals a few days in advance and make sure you have all the ingredients you need on hand.
• Consistency: you might not love every vegan recipe at first, but don’t give up! The vegan world is full of options and you’ll soon find what suits your taste.
• Check your pantry: you may already have plenty of vegan-friendly ingredients: grains, tea, coffee, pasta (without eggs), vegetables, legumes, fruits, jams. These are your allies for quick and easy vegan meals.
• Make your favorite dishes “green” and discover new recipes: once you get started, be bold and experiment with new ingredients. It’s a great way to explore new flavors! On Cesarine’s Cookbook, you’ll find plenty of tasty, easy-to-make vegan recipes.
• Join vegan communities: online, you’ll find many groups where people share recipes, advice, and encouragement: it’s a great way to stay motivated and inspired.
• Allow yourself a little flexibility: especially at the beginning, don’t be too hard on yourself if you occasionally eat something with animal ingredients. Enjoy that mortadella sandwich or those tagliatelle with ragu, then just get back on track.

Cesarina Francesca’s Vegan Maritozzi

Born in Naples and now living near Rome, our Cesarina Francesca from Civitavecchia offers her vegan take on a traditional Roman pastry: the maritozzo. Francesca discovered maritozzi after moving to Civitavecchia, and to let everyone enjoy their delicious flavor, she created a version free of animal ingredients, but just as indulgent as the original.
So let’s celebrate Veganuary 2026 together with these vegan maritozzi: you won’t miss the ones made with eggs, milk, butter, or cream!