IF you've taken every opportunity to eat, drink and be merry over the festive season, and you've had your fill of Christmas indulgence, you are probably considering making some New Year's resolutions.

Why not put going veggie top of the list?

New Year is the perfect time to make a fresh start and for taking steps towards a fitter, healthier, happier you. There's no better way of doing it than by going veggie!

The average meat-eater will consume around 2,000 animals in his or her lifetime.

Think how many lives you could save if you stopped eating them!

You will also improve your own life, as vegetarians have been shown to have lower overall mortality, lower risk of heart disease and lower rates of obesity than meat-eaters.

A healthy, balanced, animal-free diet provides all the nutrients you need (including protein, iron and calcium) with none of the nasties found in meat, like saturated fat and cholesterol.

Cutting our animal products is also recognised as being beneficial in the fight against cancer.

Going veggie is much easier than you think.

You won't have to stop eating out with your friends and you'll still be able to shop in your local supermarket.

A happy and healthy New Year to all!

KELLY SLADE, Campaigns officer, Animal Aid, Tonbridge, Kent.