As the first month of 2022 ends, many can say that the start to the new year has been quite a pleasant, and yet again, eventful one. However, like every year since 2014, many used January to take on the challenge of ‘Veganuary’.

Veganism is a lifestyle, or the practice of not eating, or even not using, animal products, such as meat, milk, eggs, sanitary products that have animal products, etc. It was a ‘diet’ that become more mainstream in the 2010s, due to the information provided about how, for example, meat can affect our lifestyles as well as our planet. Earlier, it was stereotyped that being a vegan means you have nothing to eat but vegetables and water. However, as the years go on, veganism becomes increasingly popular each year, and so, there are more options in restaurants across the world. So, what were the new options in 2022?

McDonald’s was first founded on the 15th of April 1955 in California in the United States and opened its first restaurant in the UK in 1974, specifically in 1974. The chain has more than 1270 restaurants in the UK, and 36,000 in the world. However, this year, they came out with their new McPlant burger, which is completely vegan. The burger consists of a Beyond Meat patty, with vegan sandwich sauce, ketchup mustard, onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and vegan cheese, all in a sesame seed bun.

The McPlant burger was first tested to see how popular it would be, selling only in certain locations. There were about 70 burgers being sold every day, and it was selling much better than anticipated. Thus, they widened the number of locations selling the product. It is safe to say it has been a true success. Along with the burger, McDonald’s also a spicy veggie wrap, veggie dippers and hashbrown for vegans and veginners.

Just like McDonald’s, KFC has also got a new vegan burger for this month. The burger has a Quorn fillet that has the same Original Recipe coating, served with vegan mayo and iceberg lettuce in a glazed bun. The burger is the same ‘award-winning’ burger they sold last year, which gained a lot of popularity as well.

Zizzi, who serves Italian cuisine, came out with a vegan lasagne, which is made of six layers of pasta with butternut squash filling, beetroot and red onion filling, and spinach filling. It is topped with breadcrumbs and pesto and then serve in Pomodoro sauce. They have also added a cool new dessert: ‘Zillionaire’s Slice’, which includes a chocolate chip cookie based, with layers of salted toffee and chocolate ganache. And of course, they have their original vegan pasta and pizza dishes, as well as their starters and sides.

Wagamama is a British chain that sells Asian food, based on Japanese cuisine. In 2021, they announced that they would make 50% of their menu plant-based, which made many vegans happy. However, they have done it yet again, with their tempura f-ish, and yaki imo (which is a play on the classic fish and chips). When asking a non-vegan eater, they exclaimed that it tasted just like fish, and it tasted amazing.

There are so many more vegan options, some that are sadly leaving this month, but some that are staying on the menu that everyone can enjoy. It has been another positive ‘Veganuary’ this year.