I decided to kick off 2025 by celebrating Veganuary, and I’m ready to share everything that happened after going vegan for a month! Some context: I was 100% vegan for 2-3 years in late high school and early college. Following a plant-based diet was pretty easy when I was still living at home since my parents were also vegan. After moving out for college, I gradually started eating animal products again.

Towards the end of 2024, I began to feel like my body was craving a break from all the meat and dairy I’d been indulging in for the holidays. I decided to return to my plant-based roots and challenge myself to eat vegan for the entire month of January. I knew it wouldn’t be easy since my husband eats animal products and we would both be celebrating our birthdays, but I was determined to start 2025 with a “health reset,” and Veganuary was just the thing.

Homemade vegan cheeseburger, fries, and ranch (recipes from Death for Dinner)

Veganuary Results

Weight Loss

I didn’t do Veganuary for the purpose of losing weight—I just wanted to feel physically better. I ended up dropping a few pounds, which was a nice bonus, but I think it’s important to remember that weight is only one component of health. Instead of focusing on the number on the scale, I’d rather prioritize fueling my body with a well-rounded diet that balances protein, fats, and carbs while incorporating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Cravings and Taste Preferences

About halfway through Veganuary, I began to notice some changes in my food preferences. Fresh produce tasted better than ever, and I successfully satisfied my cravings for things like burgers and fries with delicious plant-based alternatives.

I tried a lot of new vegan recipes which helped keep things interesting, and I noticed I was drinking more water than usual. With all the holiday celebrations in the weeks leading up to Veganuary, I was probably more dehydrated than I realized.

I never really felt like I was “missing out” by going plant-based for the month. There were a handful of times that I found myself craving eggs with breakfast or salmon on my salads, but that was about it.

Digestion

Improving my digestion was a big motivating factor for me to do Veganuary. I’m mildly lactose intolerant, so I’ve learned over the years that dairy does not agree with my body. My stomach feels SO much better following a completely dairy-free diet.

Eliminating dairy is the one part of eating vegan that I struggle with. I would be 100% fine never eating meat again, but giving up cheese and ice cream is hard! Thankfully, there are many dairy-free options that are (almost) as good as the real deal.

Vegan Old Dirty Bastard donut from Voodoo Doughnut

Pros + Cons of Going Vegan for a Month

Pros

• I saved money by eating out less and ordering plant-based options at the restaurants I did visit.
• My body felt overall healthier, more hydrated, and energized.
• I started craved things like salads, vegetables, and fruit!
• My digestion significantly improved and I had far fewer stomach issues.
• I lost a couple of pounds and felt less bloated.
• I tried a lot of new and delicious recipes.
• I felt more in tune with my body as far as recognizing which foods made it feel good and strong, and which left me feeling icky.

Cons

• Some settings—like going to a steakhouse for my husband’s birthday dinner—had limited vegan food options, which made it tricky to throw together a well-rounded meal.
• My husband is a good sport about eating plant-based food that I cook for him, but he’s definitely a meat and potatoes kind of guy. There were a few times that I chose to prepare non-vegan meals specifically for him, which took some extra time and effort in the kitchen.
• I probably wasn’t consuming enough protein because I didn’t track what I was eating daily. I’m sure there were times that I was lacking in the protein department, which made me snack more because I wasn’t fully satiated.

Chicken chilaquiles from 417 Union in Nashville (made dairy-free with no cream/cheese!)

What’s Next?

Moving forward, I’m committed to being more intentional with what I’m eating to fuel my body. For instance, I know that dairy doesn’t make me feel good, so I’m trying to avoid it altogether (or, at least, significantly minimize my consumption).

If you follow me on Instagram (@lizzieml74), you know that I recently spent a weekend in Nashville indulging in a lot of non-vegan food. I didn’t beat myself up over this because I wanted to enjoy some local eats without stressing about being 100% plant-based. I still avoided excessive amounts of dairy and opted for lean proteins like chicken when I did eat meat.

My main goal for February (and beyond) is upping my protein intake to better support my fitness routine. I try to do CrossFit 2-3 times a week and go for the occasional neighborhood run, so I want to make protein more of a priority.

To achieve this, I’ve reintroduced foods like pasture-raised eggs and wild-caught salmon into my diet. I’m still eating about 90% vegan at the moment, but might start incorporating things like lean ground turkey and high-quality steaks once a week or every other week.

Overall, I’m feeling really excited and motivated to continue on this health journey! If you’ve been debating going vegan for a month (or even a week, or a day), I highly encourage you to do it. Even if eating plant-based doesn’t end up working out for you, it’s fascinating to see how your body changes and adapts without consuming animal products.

I hope you’re all having a happy and healthy start to 2025—talk soon!