Vegan food options first tested in January continue to be served across Jesmond’s restaurants.

From the 21st-27th of January, Jesmond restaurants endorsed veganism by introducing vegan menus on offer in support of ‘Veganuary’.

The UK experienced a doubling in Veganuary participants since 2018, with 250,000 people registered to partake in the promotion of veganism for the month of January.

In 2018, Great Britain introduced more vegan products than any other nation. As the Vegan culture grows, Newcastle has begun to follow suit.

Vegan Restaurant Week and popular blog, Canny Food, collaborated to bring the worldwide Veganuary craze to Jesmond in its very own Vegan Restaurant Week.

Jesmond residents were treated to exclusive offers from Cake Stories, Filmore and Union, Dosa Kitchen and Fat Hippo, including celebratory giveaways.

As the food industry grows to accept new diets and fads, the benefits of veganism suggest a possible decrease of Newcastle’s obesity rate.

The North East has been declared the most obese region in England, accounting for 30% of national obesity rates, says a 2018 NHS report.

The Newcastle City Council has proposed the Newcastle Good Food Plan, which aims to tackle unsustainable and unhealthy habits.

Hot food takeaways are one of the top priorities, as 23% of all food outlets in the area are in the fast food industry.

Veganism has the potential to lower cholesterol rates, regulate blood sugar levels and promote healthy weight loss, according to a study conducted in 2018.

While action plans have been put into motion, such as the Newcastle Sugar Smart Action Plan, the participation of many fast food outlets in Jesmond have promoted healthy eating in discreet ways.

Fat Hippo introduced four new vegan burgers in anticipation of Vegan Restaurant Week, and claim that they are “here to stay”.

Increased vegan options accommodate all – including children not eager to eat vegetables, unless disguised as a burger.

Abbie Gilbertson, marketing manager of Fat Hippo, said: “Vegan food may not be the first thing you associate with the Fat Hippo, but as one of the fastest growing consumer trends of 2018, things are about to change.”

Gilbertson said the burgers were, “designed to replicate our signature Fat Hippo ‘good kind of gluttony’ in a way everyone can enjoy our trademark taste.”

“The food industry is changing and so are we. We want you to be able to enjoy our food in the way that suits you. Veganism, vegetarianism, pescetarianism and flexitarianism – we’ve covered all bases with some exciting new meat-free options guaranteed to intrigue your carnivorous friends.”