World Vegan Day on Tuesday, November 1 kicks off World Vegan Month.

It’s an opportunity for vegans to celebrate their lifestyle and for other people to give a plant-based diet a go.

Many brands — including fast-food restaurants such as Burger King and Papa John’s — are offering deals and discounts on vegan food to mark the annual awareness month.

But how did World Vegan Day start and what is it all about? Find out below.

What is World Vegan Day?

Then chair of the Vegan Society, Louise Wallis, founded World Vegan Day in 1994 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her group.

The society was founded in November 1944 by Donald Watson and five other non-dairy vegetarians, as they were known at the time.

They came up with the word “vegan” to describe people who do not eat animal products of any kind.

The society is responsible for the Vegan Trademark, which certifies that products are free from animal products and testing.

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According to the Vegan Society, being vegan is “a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment.

“In dietary terms, it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”

The society says that World Vegan Month is “an opportunity to take a moment to recognise and reflect on [our] successes since our beginnings many decades ago, as well as celebrate the wider vegan community across the globe”.

How to celebrate

Whether you’re a fully-fledged vegan or simply veggie-curious, World Vegan Month is the perfect opportunity to try plant-based foods and products.

Why not head to one of London’s vegan restaurants this November? From Gauthier Soho to Neat Burger, there’s something for everyone.

With less than two months to go until Christmas, supermarkets have begun announcing their festive vegan food. Start browsing now and put together your dream plant-based Christmas dinner.

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People who have just ventured into veganism may need to take supplements while they adjust to a plant-based diet. There has thankfully been an increase in vegan supplements, which are free of animal products such as bovine or marine, in recent years.

Eating vegan food doesn’t mean you have to give up your sweet tooth. There are plenty of vegan baking products available to help you to bake plant-based desserts and satisfy your chocolate craving.

Being vegan isn’t just about what you eat — it’s also about the products you buy. Vegans typically don’t buy new leather products —but thankfully, major fashion brands such as Stella McCartney and Melie Bianco have created vegan bags that are just as stylish.