By Jacqueline Elmore

Last month saw record numbers signing up to Veganuary – a lifestyle challenge where non-vegans commit to trying to live on a plant-based diet for the entire month of January – and in 2020 there are more vegans in the UK than ever before (not just in January!).

In 2018 there were 600,000 vegans living in Great Britain alone. According to the Vegan Society the number of British vegans will grow further still with pollsters claiming that 2.9 million people will be vegan within the next twelve months. Some evidence suggests that being vegan can result in a healthier lifestyle and there are also compelling arguments with regards to environmental impact, animal welfare and ethics; it seems that these are just some of the reasons why people are trying to give up meat and remove animal products from their diet.

For Ian Hills and Lorraine Roach, who have lived in Cuckfield for over ten years, becoming vegan was a simple choice.

“The reason we both decided to cut animal products out of our diets was down to health and that alone,” Ian explained. “With so much variety and so many different types of good quality plant based food there is simply no need for us to eat meat anymore and to be honest we’re healthier and happier because of it.”

Ian and Lorraine have both lost parents to cancer. When Lorraine’s mum was first diagnosed with the disease, efforts were made to help change her diet in the hope that these lifestyle changes would result in a longer life.

“Everything that she ate from that point on was organic and she steered clear of processed food. She was given six months to live but ended up living for three years,”

Lorraine said. “That was a real turning point for us. Part of the reason we no longer eat animal products is because of what happened to our parents. Being vegan and living ‘compassionately’ suits us better.”

[Full article published in the February 2020 issue of Cuckfield Life]