6 Northern Irish vegan influencers you need to check out
By Maisie Laughton
Published 7th Mar 2023, 17:00 BST
Whether you’ve been vegan for years or are looking to get started and want to learn more about veganism, there are lots of Northern Irish-based influencers you can check out.
Many people are looking to carry on their new-found vegan lifestyle following Veganuary, meaning people across the country are looking for helpful insights on what being vegan properly involves.
From providing great recipes to showing you different substitutes that you can use for animal products, following vegan influencers can help you develop a greater understanding of the diet and culture.
Here are some of the best Northern Irish vegan influencers you can follow on social media.
Here are some of the best Northern Irish vegan influencers you can follow on social media.
5. Anne Marie O’Hara
Anne Marie O’Hara is a different vegan influencer than others on this list, running the Derry Vegetarian & Vegan Facebook page alongside other admins.
She has tried all types of animal-free diets, from vegetarianism to pescetarianism, ultimately settling on veganism four years ago.
She said: “I stopped eating red meat 35 years ago, then poultry, then fish and then became vegan in my teens. I've gone between vegetarian and vegan, and, with some support, did Veganuary four years ago.”
The page supports people from all walks of life to transform their diet into an animal product-free one, hoping to inform everyone that the planet needs saving and this is one way of achieving that goal.
She said: “I think the page is a wonderful incentive to help people transition. There's lots of supportive groups on social media where it's easy to connect with lots of other like minded people.” One of Anne Marie’s top tips is to watch programmes that raise awareness on the impact the animal product industry is having on the environment, explaining that they will provide enough encouragement to stop eating meat.
“Watching documentaries such as 'Dominion' or 'Eating our way to extinction' should be compulsory viewing for everybody.
“We can live perfectly well without killing animals and destroying the planet.”
You can visit the Derry Vegetarians & Vegans Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/dvv Photo: Anne Marie O’Hara
6. Life Without Meat
Life Without Meat is a social media profile run by Georgia, a passionate, food-loving vegan who creates all kinds of content about meat free recipes and vegan tips and tricks.
Georgia also entered into veganism through the pescetarian and vegetarian route.
She said: “My vegan journey began in 2016. I ditched red meat and poultry overnight and I started as a pescatarian. “Then in late 2017, I went vegetarian after learning more about the impacts of fishing. “Eventually, I did my first Veganuary in 2019, then went full vegan late that year.”
Her main advice for potential vegans is to be prepared and know what you’re getting into, ensuring that there are no surprises about how difficult it is.
She said: “Good preparation, research on nutrients, an open mind and beginning with the meals you love first would be key advice from me. “I think it's important to remember that for most people, going vegan isn’t an overnight win. It’s a journey to embrace and enjoy every step of. “Therefore, I would love to encourage individuals to approach this choice with patience, kindness and compassion towards themselves and others.”
You can visit Georgia’s Instagram page at instagram.com/life.without.meat Photo: Life Without Meat via Instagram