Recent surveys show that many Americans plan to eat more vegan meals in 2013. Are you one of them? If so, thank you and congratulations!

By choosing plant-based foods, you'll help save animals and conserve water, land, and other resources. It takes 10 times fewer fossil fuels to produce plant-based meals than animal-based ones, and a vegan indirectly consumes nearly 600 gallons of water a day less than a person who eats meat, eggs and dairy products.

Since vegan foods are cholesterol-free and generally low in saturated fat and calories, you can still indulge in great-tasting foods, including vegan lasagna, blueberry pancakes, black bean and corn chili, and "beef" stew.

If you haven't yet resolved to go vegan, it's not too late. You can still help conserve resources, halt climate change, reduce food waste, stop animal suffering and give your health a boost. Just visit or follow @peta on Twitter for more information and free vegan recipes and product suggestions.


PETA Foundation, Norfolk, Va.