As we welcome 2025, Malaysian families have an exciting opportunity to embark on a healthy and meaningful journey together through Veganuary. This global movement, making its official debut in Malaysia, encourages people to try vegan eating throughout January – and it’s perfect for busy mums looking to introduce healthier habits for their families.
What is Veganuary? Think of Veganuary as a friendly challenge to explore plant-based eating for a month. It’s not about perfection but rather about discovering new foods and making mindful choices. After the holiday season’s indulgences, January offers the perfect timing to reset our family’s eating habits while teaching our children about conscious food choices.
Why should you join Veganuary?
For your children’s health: plant-based meals can be incredibly nutritious, packed with fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They’re excellent for growing bodies and can help establish healthy eating habits early in life. Plus, many children find colourful plant-based dishes fun and appealing!
For the planet: every plant-based meal we choose helps reduce our environmental footprint. It’s a practical way to teach our children about environmental responsibility through daily actions. As mothers, we’re naturally concerned about the world our children will inherit, and this is one simple way we can make a difference.
For the animals: participating in Veganuary helps children develop compassion for animals while understanding where their food comes from. It’s an excellent opportunity for family discussions about kindness and conscious choices.
Who can participate?
The beauty of Veganuary is its flexibility – it’s truly for everyone! Whether you’re a busy working mum, a stay-at-home parent, or somewhere in between, there are options to suit your lifestyle:
- For families on the go: many restaurants, including all 39 Brew House outlets, are offering special vegan menus throughout January.
- For social butterflies: join Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur‘s special vegan afternoon tea on January 18th – perfect for a mum’s day out while exploring sophisticated plant-based treats. You can get your tickets here.
Tips for families on how to get started
Start with familiar favourites. Transform your family’s beloved dishes into plant-based versions. Use mushrooms in rendang, or make curry puffs filled with spiced potatoes and vegetables.
Stock your pantry with family-friendly essentials like tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, and lentils as protein sources, local ingredients such as mushrooms, jackfruit, and various beans, plus fresh fruits, mixed nuts, and vegetable sticks with hummus for snacks.
Make it fun. Get your children involved in meal planning and preparation. Let them choose colourful vegetables at the market or help create simple dishes like fruit smoothies or vegetable wraps.
Overcoming common family challenges
- Picky eaters? Start with familiar flavours and gradually introduce new ones
- Busy schedules? Prep simple meals in advance or look for plant-based options at regular eateries
- Family gatherings? Bring a plant-based dish to share and make it an opportunity to inspire others
Remember, Veganuary isn’t about being perfect – it’s about progress. You can start with one plant-based meal a day or even just a few meals a week. Every small change contributes to better health for our families and our planet.
With Malaysia’s rich culinary heritage and abundant local ingredients, there’s never been a better time to explore plant-based eating with your family. Whether you’re curious about health benefits, concerned about the environment, or simply looking for new family-friendly meal ideas, Veganuary 2025 welcomes you and your family to be part of this exciting movement.
Join thousands of Malaysian families this January in discovering how delicious, accessible, and fun plant-based eating can be. Who knows? You might find new family favourites that last well beyond January! You can join Veganuary here.
This article was written by Ania, founder of CulinovaConsulting, a vegan hospitality consultant who’s revolutionising restaurant menus. Her expertise has propelled numerous eateries to success with plant-based offerings, as she crafts menus and trains chefs to drive sales and foster inclusivity. Additionally, Ania serves as a plant-based nutritionist, aiding patients in managing conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases through tailored dietary plans.
