The 4 essential Veganuary supplements

My biggest piece of Veganuary advice for you – preparation is key.

You’ve probably already discovered plenty of vegan recipes to try out and you may have even set up a meal plan to follow. But with any big dietary change, you need to pay close attention to nutrients and vitamins.

When I was still figuring things out, I took the following supplements. I recommend you do the same too! They will cover your body’s needs amidst the diet change and take the stress out of organising your nutrition alongside trying to cook new meals. Good luck!

This Veganuary supplement guide is brought to you in collaboration with DR.VEGAN – the vegan supplement company.

Sign up for the Veganuary challenge here

Vitamin B12

• Quantity: 2000ug per capsule
• Benefit: For energy
• Price: From £8.49

Vitamin B12 is one of the most common deficiencies for vegans. This is because this essential vitamin is produced by bacteria found in the soil, which is then found inside the guts of veggie-eating animals*.

Vegan food doesn’t naturally contain vitamin B12, nor is it readily found in the soil anymore, so we need to supplement it. You can do this by eating B12-fortified foods, like nutritional yeast, and taking a vegan vitamin B12 supplement.

It is a necessary vitamin that provides your body with much-needed energy. Without it, you may struggle with tiredness and fatigue, plus you may develop anaemia.

*Interestingly, most farm animals (cows, goats, sheep, etc.) don’t get enough B12 from the soil anymore so farmers also give them supplements.

Buy vitamin B12 here

Vegan Omega-3

• Quantity: 300mg DHA & 150mg EPA per serving
• Benefit: For brain and eye health
• Price: From £18.69

Omega-3 fatty acids are most commonly found in fish oil supplements, but the fish actually get their omega-3 by eating algae. So vegan omega-3 supplements cut out the middle-fish and go straight to the source.

Algae-based supplements are cleaner and free of toxins, plus they are much more sustainable. Like DR.VEGAN’s omega-3 supplement which contains 1000mg of omega oil grown in controlled environments.

These fatty acids are vital for our health. They help with our brain, heart and our eyes. You can include some natural plant-based sources of omega-3 in your diet, like hemp and rapeseed oil, but I like to keep my levels topped up with a supplement.

Buy vegan omega-3 here

Gut support

• Includes: Probiotics and botanical blend
• Benefit: For gut health
• Price: From £37.04

Whenever you make any changes to your diet, you may experience some temporary side effects with your gut. This can include bloating, excess gas and irregular bowel movements.

This is because your microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria and digestive enzymes that are unique to you and your diet. It may mean that your gut is great at digesting the food you eat and less so the foods that you don’t. Therefore, there can be a transition period when eating a new diet.

You can make this easier for yourself by taking a gut health supplement. DR.VEGAN have a gut health bundle that is perfect for this. It includes a pre and probiotic blend (called Gut Works) and a debloat blend (called Debloat & Detox Formula). By taking both of these, you’ll be giving your gut some much-needed support during Veganuary!

Buy gut supplements here

Vegan Multivitamin

• Includes: Iron, vitamins A, C, D, E, K, & B, folate, calcium, magnesium, zinc and more.
• Benefit: For all-round health
• Price: From £14.88

Are you looking for a comprehensive all-in-one style solution to your nutrition? Then a vegan multivitamin may well be for you. It includes the essentials, like vitamin B12, as well as iodine, folate, calcium, and much more.

So if you’d prefer to go down this route, there is no need to buy a standalone B12 supplement. Which can save you money as well as give you peace of mind. Particularly if you struggle to eat a well-rounded nutritious diet on a regular basis.

DR.VEGAN’s daily multivitamin is well-dosed and contains all of the essential vitamins you need. It is an affordable way to cover a few different areas.

Buy vegan multivitamins here

About DR.VEGAN

This Veganuary supplement guide was brought to you in collaboration with DR.VEGAN, a fully vegan health and nutrition company. They produce a large range of supplements that are ethically sourced, eco-friendly and vegan.

In fact, they are my go-to nutrition company for all my vegan supplement needs – find out why in my full DR.VEGAN review.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some answers to your FAQs regarding Veganuary.

Is Veganuary actually good for you?

The effectiveness of a vegan diet can depend on many different factors, including your current diet and health, as well as the food you choose to eat during Veganuary.

You’ll see the best results by planning a varied diet that incorporates a range of plant-based ingredients. Try and add at least 30 different types of plants into your diet every week, these include everything from mushrooms and vegetables to rice and tofu.

By simply including more plant-based ingredients into your diet you’ll be benefiting from Veganuary! Find out more here.

Fake meats are great but try to keep these to a minimum. And consider taking some key supplements like B12 and omega-3, to ensure your body is getting the daily recommended intake.

How do you prepare for Veganuary?

Veganuary will look different for everyone. Some people may love the opportunity to expand their cooking repertoire, others may enjoy stacking up their freezer with nutritious vegan ready meals. Either way, these are some key steps to get you prepared for a successful Veganuary:

1. Educate yourself: Learn about vegan nutrition, food alternatives, and meal planning. Understand which nutrients might need special attention in a vegan diet, like B12 and omega-3 fatty acids.
2. Organise your kitchen: Replace non-vegan food items with plant-based alternatives like legumes, grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
3. Research vegan recipes: Start collecting vegan recipes or vegan cookbooks that appeal to you. Experiment with different cuisines and cooking methods to find what works best for your taste.
4. Create a meal plan: Planning your meals can ensure you’re getting a variety of nutrients and delicious meals without feeling overwhelmed.
5. Find vegan alternatives: There are vegan alternatives for almost everything these days, from milk and cheese to burgers and ice cream.
6. Join a community: Consider joining online communities, forums, or local groups where you can find support, share experiences, and get tips from seasoned vegans.
7. Consider taking supplements: Think about including supplements like B12 and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. If you continue on a vegan diet long-term, you may want to consider visiting your doctor for a blood test within the first year.
8. Be patient and kind to yourself: Transitioning to a vegan diet is a learning process. It’s okay to make mistakes or have setbacks. Be patient and focus on progress rather than perfection.