Veganuary is in full swing with figures showing at least 115,000 people around the world have taken the plunge to avoid animal products for a month.

The challenge encourages people to steer clear of consuming or wearing items that derive from animals, instead opting for plant-based products.

We're here to bust five of the myths surrounding veganism.

1) 'Vegans don't get enough protein'

Although there's a lot of protein in meat, there are other ways to get it into your system. People who choose to go vegan get their protein straight from the source, in the same way as animals themselves. Instead of getting it from meat they eat plenty of green vegetables, beans and pulses as well as grains.

2) 'I'll miss the taste of good food'

Just because you're choosing to cut out animal products, doesn't mean you won't be able to substitute your foods with other tasty vegan alternatives. According to veganuary.com there are plenty of ways you can make your food tasty as a vegan. These include using plant-based cheeses, creams, ice-creams and milks.

3) 'It's an unnatural diet'

People can be mistaken for thinking that being vegan is unnatural, but in fact a human can get all the nutrients needed from the bacteria in vegan food. Some people think vegans have to take a lot of supplements and in some cases this is true, depending on your health, but most people can get by just fine.

4) 'It costs a fortune'

You'll be pleased to know this doesn't have to be the case. Most of the essentials you need are already in your kitchen cupboards such as rice, beans, potatoes and tinned tomatoes. You can also use frozen veg which can keep for a while if it's kept at the right temperature. Although this isn't to say some products like dairy-free milk aren't a little bit pricier.

5) 'You need meat to stay healthy'

According to veganuary.com this is a myth. The experts at the charity say a vegan, or plant-based, diet cuts the risk of developing many health conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

To find out more about where to experience the best vegan food in Kent click here.