Veganuary at your Co-op

It’s veganuary, a month to challenge yourself to become vegan and try a plant-based diet. Whatever your reason, Co-op is here to help you.

We know that finding vegan food conveniently can be a challenge, so to celebrate Veganuary we’ve pulled together some pointers on the options you can find in your local Co-op. You can also get inspired in our January Food Magazine with recipes for Anti-Pasti Burgers, Thai Green Curry and a Vegan All-day Breakfast.

Taking the plunge and switching to a vegan diet can seem tough, but more than 150,000 people are registered to take part in Veganuary this year, so you won’t be facing the challenge alone.

It’s not just hummous and carrot sticks – you can also find vegan wines, new ready meals, doughnuts (In store bakery only) and dairy-free milk.

https://twitter.com/airheadhell/status/873084347015806976

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Find out more about our vegan products at coop.uk/vegan

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Meal ideas

Breakfast

Pop in to your local Co-op and grab some soya or coconut milk and your cereal of choice. With more time at the weekend, why not try some of our crusty bread with avocado and tomato on top or mango yoghurt.

Lunchtime

Check out some of our delicious Food to Go salads:

• Vegan Cauliflower & Coconut Meal Pot: mixed grains with cauliflower, coconut milk, broccoli, lentils, red pepper, roasted sweet potato and mango chutney with a blend of spices.
• Vegan Red Pepper & Kalamata Olive Pasta Salad: Whole wheat pasta in a tomato and harissa dressing with roasted pepper, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, pine nuts and spinach.
• Falafel & Houmous Salad: Carrot and coriander falafels with cauliflower, bulgar wheat, red onion, baby plum tomatoes, salad leaves, houmous and a spicy harissa dressing.

That's a vegan wrap! Co-op Falafel and Houmous Wraps reviewed #vegan #vegetarian #glutenfree #food #GoVegan #organi… pic.twitter.com/RQiuXkmvW3

— Scarlet Richardson (@cookingscarlet) January 12, 2017

Or try our Vegan Onion Bhaji Sandwich: Onion bhaji, carrot, spiced cauliflower and sweet potato puree, mango and apricot chutney, Apollo lettuce, steam roasted pickled beetroot and fried onions on white bread with black onion seeds.

We also have some tasty snacks to go: Carrot & Houmous Snack Pack, Falafel & Houmous Snack Pack, Edamame snack pack and Chocolate Ganache Pot.

Dinner time

You can find lots of vegan recipe ideas at http://www.dinner4tonight.com/ and in our latest Co-op Food Magazine. If you’re looking for a quick tea then why not try one of our delicious ready meals or soups.

• Balance Mushroom risotto: Mixed mushrooms with risotto rice, quinoa and brown rice served with butternut squash, spinach and pumpkin seeds. Shortlisted for Good Choice Q awards.
• Vegetable jalfrezi: Green beans, aubergines, cauliflower, red and yellow peppers in an aromatic jalfrezi sauce made with tomatoes and onions served with cardamom, bay and clove spiced rice.

Or grab yourself a bag of your favourite pasta and have it with one of our tasty chilled pasta sauces; Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce, Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce or Chunky Vegetable.

If you thought vegans didn’t get to eat tasty burgers, these will change your mind…

For a lighter tea, be tempted by one of our chilled soups which are under 150kcal per serving.

• Tomato & Basil 600g: Lentil Dahl 600g: with carrot, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, chickpeas and lentils.
• irresistible Tuscan Tomato & Lentil 600g: A Tuscan inspired mildly spiced tomato soup with vegetables, red lentils and du Berry lentils, cannellini beans and orzo pasta.

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How can I identify vegan products at Co-op stores?

You can easily identify which our of Co-op own brand products by the “V” Vegetarian & vegan symbol.

Let us know what you think about the new products or tell us what your favourite vegan recipes are by tweeting us @coopukfood or tagging us on Instagram @coopukfood, don’t forget to use #Veganuary.

Hints and tips

A vegan tipple

Did you know that we clearly label whether our wines are vegan? You can find out more on our website. Visit drinkaware.co.uk for the facts about alcohol.

Staying healthy

If you are following a vegan diet, make sure you are keeping a balanced intake of all your key food groups– the Government’s Eat Well guide shows you what your breakdown should be and encourages us to eat more beans and pulses – there are some great ways to get protein through beans, pulses and nuts.

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Why try vegan?

Moving towards a more plant-based diet can have benefits for your personal health and the health of the planet. The lower the meat, fish and dairy content, the lower the environmental impact – and the more important it is that reduced meat intakes are replaced with increases in the quantity and diversity of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and pulses.

If you want to find out more about some of the environmental and health benefits of reducing meat intake check out the Eating Better Coalition website.

You can also calculate your carbon footprint and see how you match up against the UK average.

For information on following a vegan diet, check out the Vegan Society or the Eating Better websites