When you hear the word “vegan” it is likely you automatically think of a plant-based diet. However, veganism is more than simply giving up on foods of animal origin. Being vegan is having enough compassion and empathy to live your life in ways that do not harm animals. 

While it does include abstaining from consuming animal products, veganism also entails paying attention to the clothes you wear, the makeup you purchase, and many other unexpected aspects of life. 

We’ve rounded up some mindful vegan lifestyle choices beyond food that you can start adopting this Veganuary. 

Clothing 

Fur, leather and wool are the most common animal-derived materials used in the manufacturing of clothes. Opt for vegan substitutes instead such as faux leather and synthetic alternatives. Fortunately, these alternatives are becoming more and more popular in the clothing industry, so you will find vegan clothing brands easily. Consider shopping for second-hand items to encourage recycling rather than new production. 

Cosmetics

While you are out shopping for makeup and skincare, keep an eye out for products that contain gelatin, glycerin, beeswax, and lard, as they are extracted from animals. To make sure you are picking the right products, labels are your best friends. You can find them on the back of the bottle, and they indicate if the product you are picking is vegan and cruelty-free. Go the extra mile and ask the retailer if their product contains any animal-derived components. 

Drinking

This may come as a surprise, but not all wines are vegan. Fining agents like egg whites and milk protein are used in the production of red and white wines. Thankfully, more and more vegan drinks are on the rise and you can easily purchase them in almost every supermarket across the UK or order them at your favourite pub. 

Housekeeping

Unfortunately, many of the products we keep in our homes and use on a daily basis contain a forgotten dose of animal exploitation. Furthermore, most cleaning products are extremely harmful to the environment due to their high concentration of chemical components. To limit the negative impact housekeeping items have on nature and animals, shop for vegan alternatives that will clean your home minus the harmful effect on our planet. It’s a win-win situation!

The bottom line is, if you take that leap and choose to embrace veganism, you will realise it is more than just cutting out animal foods from your diet. It is a series of personal choices that you make every day to leave a positive impact on the planet and make our furry friends’ lives a little better.