Yep you heard us! World Vegan Day is right around the corner on November 1st and all over the world the vegan-hype is enhanced, social media is lit up with all manner of pro-vegan content, and whilst it can divide a lot of people, it’s a reminder that there is a very real way that we can make a difference to the planet, to animals and to our bodies.
Rally your friends and family because Singapore, yet again, is putting on some great events this year and not just on November 1st, but for the whole month of November!
7 Reasons Why You Should Consider Going Vegan
Why should you care that it’s World Vegan Day? Well, aside from the awesome events (the majority of which revolves around food – hello!), it’s a great chance to read up on the facts to help understand why going plant-based is an all-around excellent decision.
1. It reduces your risk of Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes. It is widely acknowledged by lots of major health organisations that animal products rich in saturated fat and cholesterol are a major contributor to both Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes.
2. Food resources and world hunger. Want to hear something scary? We actually have enough food in the world to feed 10 billion people. Given that there are only 7 billion people in the world, how is it possible that there are so many starving and malnourished people on Earth today? Well, it’s because the majority of the food that we produce is to feed livestock, not people.
3. It reduces your environmental impact. Okay, this a biggy. Between 18-51% (depending on the source) of man-made pollution comes from the meat industry, which puts factory farming ahead of transportation when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. No matter what the guy at the bar says, buying an electric car or taking fewer airplane trips isn’t going to have the same effect on the planet than if you switch to a plant-based diet. It really is the one thing that you can do at an individual level that will have the biggest impact.
4. The average Singaporean consumes 55kg of meat a year, as well as 22kg of seafood and 323 eggs. We do not need to eat this much meat and given that food waste has increased by 40% in the last 10 years, we should be reducing the amount of surplus food, which of course includes meat.
5. Excuses to experiment in the kitchen. By introducing more plant-based foods into your diet, it is inevitable that you’ll learn how to cook using a variety of delicious, new recipes. Plus it’s a great reason to host a dinner party, or to get the kids involved in the cooking!
6. Challenge yourself. Changing diet, whether permanently or gradually, is a huge commitment and a personal challenge especially if you currently eat a lot of animal products. Do it for yourself, not just for people who might doubt you.
7. Get to try new restaurants. Ever find yourself always going to the same places? Get out of this foodie rut and explore your local vegan joints or try the vegan options on the menu – you’ll be surprised at how good the choices are now!
What’s on For World Vegan Day & Month in Singapore
Now that we’ve got your attention, and you’re all 100% onboard with the vegan thing, I bet you’re dying to know what’s on in Singapore this month to celebrate World Vegan Day? Well, luckily our friends at Animal Allies has put together a list:
Thursday Nov 1
@JUSTforall Egg Food Truck Experience at The Grand Hyatt.
The Future of Food Panel Discussion at The Grand Hyatt.
Plant-Based BBQ Dinner at Oasis restaurant, The Grand Hyatt.
Ask a Vegan at NomvNom restaurant in Clarke Quay.
Friday Nov 2
Welcome To Singapore, Kuntal Joshier – Meet a vegan mountain climber that has tackled Everest!
Nature Cafe SG Meetup – Nature Cafe is a chain of vegan restaurants specialising in Chinese, Western and Local Dishes.
Singapore Eco Film Festival launches.
Saturday Nov 3
Plant-based Diets for Sports Performance at @singaporepoly.
The Conscious Festival by @gitnbasia!
Saturday Nov 10
Let us be Heroes documentary – Premiere screening.
V. Social 1 at Highball – Eat, drink, hang out and dance to some live music!
Friday Nov 16
Meet up at D’Life Bistro and Cafe. We’ll be discussing how veganism has changed in SG over the past years.
@GreenMonday Singapore invite-only launch event for Singapore!
Saturday Nov 17
Become The Best Voice For Animals You Can Be – A vegan advocacy workshop by @animalsaustralia
Sunday Nov 18
World Vegan Month BBQ (Family Special) – Vegan eats + pool party + playground + new families to meet!
Friday Nov 23
Meetup at HRVST Restaurant & Bar, SG’s hottest new vegan restaurant!
Saturday Nov 24
7 Deadly Sins – A Vegan Desserts Trail with @VegThisCity.
Meetup at Saute-San – Saute-San serves vegetarian & vegan Japanese-inspired dishes and a variety of vegan ice creams.
Screening of @TheEndofMeat Details TBA.
Friday Nov 30
Meetup at #GenesisVeganRestaurant – Joins us for a comfy and healthy vegan dinner serving local and international cuisine.
It’s all about those #LittleGreenSteps
Going vegan shouldn’t be a scary or overwhelming thing, and there is so much help and support to be found online and all around Singapore. There are over 500 restaurants in Singapore offering vegan and vegetarian options and apps like HappyCow and abillionVeg can find you places to eat nearby in seconds. Vikas from abillionVeg sees major growth for vegan dining in Singapore, “We see growth in both vegan restaurants and vegan options at more mainstream restaurants in Singapore. What started as an inconvenience for chefs is starting to become a fun challenge, and at abillionVeg we’re working to make the vegan food scene more competitive, and more fun for both chefs and people looking for great food!”. It’s so encouraging to know that this space is only going to get bigger and bigger.
No one is expecting you to just give up animal products overnight, but small incremental changes that ultimately lead to a vegan lifestyle is where we all can start from. Taking #LittleGreenSteps such as swapping your dairy milk for plant-based options, cutting out red meat, or eating vegan once a week will positively contribute on a macro level to a social and environmental issue; plus you’ll see major benefits on more of a micro level such as smashing your 5-a-day, boosting your mood and energy, and broadening your diet to introduce new tastes and colours.
So get yourself down to one of the many fun events for World Vegan Day this year and we guarantee you’ll leave feeling inspired, motivated and ready to take on the vegan lifestyle, in whatever that means for you.