You’re not ready to commit to a New Year’s Resolution (and I don’t blame you, I’m not a fan of them) but you are going to do a “Dry January” or “Veganuary”. So, how can they help improve your health?

Dry January:

• It’s an especially great idea for anyone who is “sober curious” or under a great deal of stress.

• Many patients realise how much alcohol was impacting them on ways they didn’t expect:  mood, energy, and sleep are among the most common.

• What can’t it do?  It  doesn’t “detox” you from long-term misuse or the excesses of December  — especially if you’re planning to end Dry January with a binge for the Six Nations on 2 February.

• When to get help:   if you realise that you can’t give up alcohol or are having withdrawal symptoms, urgently seek qualified medical attention.

• Long term benefits:  some patients do cut their drinking down to low-risk levels longer term follow Dry January.

• Actually getting healthier during Dry January?  Don’t just replace alcohol with sugary drinks if you are out.

Veganuary:

• While 30 days meat-free won’t make that much difference to your overall long-term health, it’s a great idea to explore reducing dairy and meat intake for a multitude of reasons, including heart health, gut health, and climate.

• Many patients end up incorporating one or two “meat-free” days into their family meal planning long term, a change that they would not have felt comfortable doing before Veganuary.

• What not to do?

  • Don’t simply swap meat for highly-processed products that are labelled “plant-based”.  Many of these can be high in sugar, salt, and fat.

  • Plant-based drinks aren’t “milk” when it comes to child health, so be cautious and consider expert (INDI and CORU registered dietitian) if making drastic changes to a young child’s diet and eliminating food groups.

  • Don’t skip the protein.  There are excellent sources of plant-based protein; make sure to include them.

  • Watch the carbs.  Some patients give up lean animal protein but end up filling the plate with excess rice, pasta, bread, or potatoes.