So what is a vegan diet? Vegans eat nothing that is derived in any way from animals which includes any meat, fish, eggs, dairy - and wearing leather!

So what is a vegan diet good for?

Your Health

Eating meat and fish provides good sources of protein, vitamins and minerals - but too much especially red and processed meats can cause problems such as bowel cancer and high blood pressure. Check out the NHS guide to eating meat at: www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/meat-nutrition/

You can see the benefits and possible pitfalls of a vegan diet as listed by the NHS at www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/the-vegan-diet/

Your Pocket

Plant based alternatives to meat products can be expensive and are often highly processed. Try creating dishes using locally grown seasonal vegetables where you can.

Nature and Biodiversity

Britain is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.

According to the Government's UK Evidence Pack "Agriculture provides half of the food we eat, employs almost half a million people and is a key part of the food and drink sector".

According to the WWF "Dairy, egg and meat products provide only a third of the calories consumed in the UK and just under half the population's intake of protein, despite livestock, grazing land and crops for animal feed taking up 85% of the UK's farmland".

If farming were to reduce raising so much meat and move towards growing more plant based products that can be eaten directly by humans this could well improve UK nature and biodiversity.

The Climate

According to government figures (see www.gov.uk and its farming Evidence Pack) agriculture is responsible for 12% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions. So only 2% of CO2 emissions, half of METHANE (of which 100% comes from livestock and manure management) but 70% of NITROUS OXIDE emissions (46% from fertilisers). In the short term methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2 and Nitrous Oxide 300 times than CO2.

Animal welfare

According to Government Guidance see GOV.UK Guidance Animal Welfare:

'The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is the principal law relating to animal welfare, protecting all vertebrate animals. Under the Act, owners and keepers have a duty of care to their animals and must make sure they meet their needs:' In addition: 'The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 which are made under The Animal Welfare Act of 2006 and set the minimum welfare standards for all farm animals.

As a nation are we sure we have the welfare of the animals we eat at heart, as we do for our pets?

If you are stuck for vegan recipes why not try the 2025 VEGANUARY CELEBRITY COOKBOOK - veganuary.com - which is free to download or maybe THE VEG SPACE where you can subscribe for free to get Kate Ford's delicious award-winning recipes. Other vegan recipe sites are available!

If you really cannot go 'fully vegan' why not just try eating less meat and fish for the month and see how it affects your health, pocket and conscience? Even as a part time vegetarian you could be making a positive contribution to our world without much sacrifice!

Alan Murray