National Vegetarian Week 2023

National Vegetarian Week (NVW) is an annual event held in the United Kingdom and Ireland to promote the benefits of a vegetarian diet. This year it takes place from 15th to 21st May. The week is coordinated by The Vegetarian Society, a registered charity that has been campaigning for vegetarianism for over 125 years.

The Vegetarian Society

The Vegetarian Society is a British charity, established in 1847. It was formed by members of the Bible Christian Church, supporters of the Concordium and readers of the Truth-Tester journal, with a unified goal of teaching everyone how easy it is to enjoy a veggie lifestyle. The organisation flourished as the nation entered the 20th century; even the great Mahatma Gandhi became a committee member!

The current celebration of meat-free meals began life in 1992 as a single day, but quickly grew to incorporate the full week. Held almost every year, the event is always a massive success; as a result of it, vegetarianism frequently makes national and local headlines. This has had a knock-on effect of attracting hundreds of thousands of people to vegetarianism and joining the organisation which so vigorously promotes it.

Veggie Events and Activities

During National Vegetarian Week, a variety of events and activities are held to raise awareness of vegetarianism and its benefits. These events include:

• Cooking demonstrations
• Food tastings
• Talks and presentations
• Film screenings
• Vegetarian festivals

NVW is a great opportunity to learn more about vegetarianism and try out some delicious vegetarian recipes. It is also a chance to meet other vegetarians and vegans and discuss the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Reasons to go Vegetarian

There are many reasons to go vegetarian. For some people, it is a personal choice based on their beliefs about animal welfare. Others choose to go vegetarian for health reasons, as a vegetarian diet can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Still others choose to go vegetarian for environmental reasons, as a vegetarian diet has a much lower carbon footprint than a meat-based diet.

Whatever your reasons for going vegetarian, NVW is a great time to give it a try. There are so many delicious vegetarian recipes available, and you may be surprised at how easy it is to make the switch.

Here are some of the benefits of going vegetarian:

• Health benefits: A vegetarian diet can help to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Vegetarians tend to have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and lower body mass indexes (BMIs) than meat-eaters. They also have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Environmental benefits: A vegetarian diet has a much lower carbon footprint than a meat-based diet. It takes a lot of resources to raise animals for food, including land, water, and energy. By going vegetarian, you can help to reduce your impact on the environment.
• Animal welfare benefits: A vegetarian diet does not require the slaughter of animals. If you are concerned about animal welfare, going vegetarian is a way to show your compassion for animals.

Top Tips for Starting Your Vegetarian Journey

Don’t know where to start with your vegetarian journey? Here are some top tips:

• Start slowly: If you are new to vegetarianism, don’t try to change your diet all at once. Start by cutting out one type of meat at a time. For example, you could start by giving up red meat, then poultry, and finally fish.
• Read food labels: When you are grocery shopping, be sure to read food labels carefully. Many processed foods contain hidden animal products, such as gelatin, lard, and casein.
• Get creative with your cooking: There are so many delicious vegetarian recipes available. There are cookbooks, websites, and even apps that can help you find new and exciting vegetarian dishes to try.
• Join a vegetarian community: There are many vegetarian and vegan communities online and in your local area. Joining a community can help you stay motivated and learn more about vegetarianism.

Veggie Fun at The Pantiles

Whether it’s a vegetarian brunch at Framptons, a veggie lunch at The Pantiles Café, or a traditional meat-free Indian meal at Kirthon – there are a plethora of plant-based and veggie options to enjoy at The Pantiles’ restaurants, cafes and bars.

If you’re in a rush, you can always grab something veggie whilst on the go! We recommend a visit to The Cake Shed or Hattons.

If you’re wanting to try your own meat-free recipes at home, head over to Oliver Greens and grab some locally produced fruit and veg. Whether you fill a trolley or basket, or just carry as much as you can – stock up and use #NationalVegetarianWeek to show off your shop!

Find out more about The Pantiles’ eateries.