20 April 2026 – Veganuary, the global campaign encouraging people to try vegan for January and beyond, has today released results from its 2026 Participant Survey*. It found that participants cooked more meals from scratch, planned meals more and ate more fruit and vegetables throughout the month, with most (79%) saying they plan to make significant permanent diet changes after participating.
Key findings from the 2026 survey include:
- 70% of participants planned their meals more
- Nearly half (49%) cooked more meals from scratch
- Two-thirds increased their intake of fruit and vegetables
- On average, people who didn’t maintain a vegan diet for the entire month still ate vegan for 18 days
When asked about protein sources, 44% of participants said they preferred to get their protein from whole food options such as beans, lentils and vegetables, while over half (52%) opted for a mix of whole foods and plant-based alternatives – showing participants value both convenience and a balanced diet.
A higher intake of fruit and vegetables has been linked to a reduced risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and some cancers, yet in the UK, most people still fall short of government guidance to eat at least five portions a day.
The survey also reveals lasting behaviour change:
- Almost one-third (32%) of those who were not already vegan before Veganuary plan to stay vegan at the end of their pledge
- Overall, 79% plan to at least halve their intake of animal products going forward
- Almost half saw some improvement to their overall health (49%), with increased energy (46%), improved mood (47%), better skin (36%) and desired change in body weight (39%) being the most common benefits
- 98% would recommend Veganuary to a friend or family member
The Official Veganuary 2026 Participant Survey can be viewed in more detail here.
Wendy Matthews, Veganuary CEO, says: “Veganuary is so much more than a 31-day challenge, and once again our participant survey highlights the long-term shifts that can happen when people try vegan. Many discover the joy of cooking and eating more plants, and for a large number, those habits stick. It’s inspiring to see participants sharing that they feel healthier, more energetic and more confident in the kitchen. That’s what Veganuary is all about: helping people try something new and supporting them to make lasting, positive changes for animals, the planet and their health.”
Notes to editors
*The survey was sent to participants who opted to receive Veganuary’s support through our 31-day tailored email series. At the end of the 31 days, we asked them about their experience. 7,319 people responded.
Around 30 million people worldwide chose to try vegan this January as part of Veganuary, based on participation surveys we commissioned in our core countries and population data for those countries. Read more about the Veganuary 2026 results.
Contact:
Wendy Matthews, CEO
