Being Vegan or vegetarian in 2025 - Is it still a thing?
You’d be forgiven for thinking Veganuary 2025 was a bit of a flop. Social media was awash with posts about “meat-free fatigue,” with influencers sighing over their third lentil loaf of the week. But was that really the case? Turns out, Veganuary was bigger than ever this year, with a whopping 25 million people globally signing up. Yes, 25 million! Though, let’s be real, this might say more about a killer ad campaign than a sudden surge in Westerners swapping steak for seitan. But hey, progress is progress.
So, is veganism losing its sparkle in the UK? Not even close. The number of people identifying as vegan has actually jumped from 2.5% to 4% of the population since 2023—that’s over 2.5 million Brits ditching dairy and saying no to nuggets. And who are these plant-powered pioneers? Mostly under-40s, and a surprising number of them are Londoners. Is it because London has more vegan cafés than pigeons? Or are they just more health-conscious?
Either way, it’s clear that Veganuary’s “apparent falter” might just be because the people who’d usually sign up are already full-time vegans. Who needs a January challenge when you’ve been living that oat-milk latte life since 2022?
Meanwhile, vegetarianism is still the cool older sibling, with 7% of the UK now meat-free. My daughter’s been a veggie for six years, and the only thing stopping her from going full vegan is her undying love for cheese. And honestly, can you blame her? Dairy-free cheese has come a long way, but let’s be real, it’s still not quite there. Plus, as she puts it, “At least the cow doesn’t have to die for my cheddar.” Fair point.
As for me, I tried vegetarianism for a few months, but unless you’re ready to channel your inner Nigella every night, it can be a bit of a slog. Back then, veggie options were basically Quorn nuggets and sausages—tasty, sure, but not exactly a long-term culinary adventure. Fast forward to today, and it’s a whole new world. You can now be a full-blown foodie and a vegetarian. Ready-meal poke bowls, gourmet meal kits, and fancy plant-based ranges from Tesco, Waitrose, and M&S have made it easier than ever to eat well without sacrificing flavour (or your sanity).
And let’s talk about those subscription boxes—because who doesn’t love a surprise package of pre-portioned veggies and spices showing up at their door? It’s like Christmas but for your inner herbivore. Brands like Pollen + Grace, Linda McCartney, and Cook are serving up meals that are not only meat-free but actually nutritious. Who knew?
Own-label products from Tesco Plant Chef, Waitrose PlantLiving and M&S Plant Kitchen ranges are more widely available than branded products, so are the supermarkets beating their suppliers to the punch?
One thing is for sure: the choice today for both vegan and vegetarian food is better than ever and set to grow, especially if they can fix the cheese problem.
So, if you’ve been on the fence about going meat-free, maybe it’s time to dip a toe in the plant-based pool. Start with one meat-free day a week—call it “Vegan-ish Wednesday” or “Tofu Tuesday.” And if you need a little inspiration, check out this TED talk. Who knows? It might just convince you to swap your bacon sarnie for a smashed avocado toast. After all, if 2.5 million Brits can do it, so can you. And hey, if nothing else, you’ll have a great excuse to buy that cute bento lunchbox you’ve been eyeing. Win-win.
