Durham's Veganuary Challenge: Mayor leads charge for a healthier, plant-based 2025

The Triangle is going vegan thanks to a new challenge being dubbed ‘Veganuary.’

The challenge encourages Durham residents, as well as those outside Bull City,  to adopt the lifestyle for 2025 and take charge of their health.

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams is among those spearheading the charge with the Bull City Mayor’s Veganuary Challenge.

So far the city tells WRAL News at least 60 people have taken the online pledge to go vegan this year.

UNC Rex Registered Dietitian Shelly Wegman said there are “a lot of reasons” to adopt a vegan lifestyle.

“One is for the environmental impact: it cuts down on meat and animal products which use a lot of water and resources in the environment,” shared Wegman. “Two is ethical considerations, such as animal husbandry and concerns with things like that.”

Wegman noted that a plant-based diet also reduces cholesterol. The fat-like substance only occurs in animal products.

“It’s been shown to lower your cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It can decrease the risk of certain cancers. It can improve blood pressure -- all of those basic health concerns,” said Wegman.

As with any diet or lifestyle change, Wegman said successfully going vegan is all about balance.

“You can call yourself vegan and live on rice cakes and peanut butter and that’s not a balanced diet,” the dietitian warned.

Wegman said concerns with veganism include inadequate protein intake and insufficient vitamins and minerals.

“B12 is a big issue because that is only found in animal products,” said Wegman. “Not getting enough B12 has been shown to cause some cognitive issues.”

Vegans can avoid being deficient in proper nutrients by turning to other plant-based sources.

For example, tofu, almonds, broccoli, leafy greens and non-dairy products are all good sources of calcium.

Vegans can also stay on top of protein intake by increasing the amount of tofu, beans and lentils they eat.

Wegman noted a B12 supplement and nutritional yeast can also be helpful.

The dietitian said shifting to veganism will require preparation, especially when grocery shopping.

“When you’re in a grocery store, anything that is on the front of the package is a selling point,” said Wegman. “It is just there to grab your attention. Flip the package over and go to the nutrition label and that’s going to tell you exactly what’s in it.”

Wegman also cautioned those trying a new eating habit to pay attention to exactly what is listed on labels.

“Ingredients are listed by weight. What often happens, and it’s notorious in the cereal aisle, is there will be seven kinds of sugar so that it’s not the first ingredient,” advised Wegman. “They’ll use multiple kinds of sodium, sugar, things like that so it doesn’t have to be the first ingredient.”

Wegman also noted not everything that sounds vegan, is.

“You’d assume sugar is vegan, but it might contain something like bone char that is not vegan. Gelatin might be in certain things like whipped cream or coconut milk, and gelatin is not vegan,” said Wegman.

Eating out can also be a challenge.

That’s where the Triangle Vegan Chef Challenge aims to help.

This year’s challenge highlights 16 area restaurants serving up vegan cuisine, including Pure Vegan Café in both North Raleigh and Durham.

“Over the last 3-4 years, I’m seeing a lot of people coming and exploring and wanting to try it,” said the restaurant’s owner Veena Birajadar. “Up until a few years ago it was like, ‘Oh vegan food is cardboard,’ but no it’s not. Especially from the country I come from, India, most of our food is by default vegan.”

Birajadar said she has always been a vegetarian but adopted a more vegan lifestyle after her father was diagnosed with cancer.

She said she heard of other families also embarking on health journeys after a loved one got sick.

“A lot of people come from the hospital. Their family has some health issue: blood pressure, diabetes, heart issues, cancer patients,” Birajadar told WRAL News. “They tell me, ‘This is what happened and that’s the reason we’re trying to eat less meat and move more to plant-based.'”

The business owner said along with having vegan food, she also has several dishes that are dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free to cater to people with a variety of food restrictions who still want to eat out.

“I know the problem. I have been there,” Birajadar commented on the challenges of eating out. “It’s so difficult for me to find vegetarian, let alone vegan, food.”

Birajadar said being a first-time vegan can be “overwhelming” and said her goal is to help make the transition easier.

“Everybody who walks in has something to eat here, and it makes my day,” she said. “There are small changes that if you start making. It’s very easy.”

Wegman urged people to speak with a dietitian or doctor before jumping into the lifestyle as veganism isn’t for everyone.