It's not vegan if you only do it for a month

[AlwaysBeFabulous]

Obviously plantbasedanuary isn't as catchy, but if you're only doing it for a month, you can hardly call it vegan.

Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.

Is this really what people are doing for January, or just eating fake meat burgers instead of real meat burgers? Before going back to eating real meat burgers in February. Unless it inspires you to continue with veganism in which case kudos to you.

Figs don't actually have dead wasp bits inside them - the wasp carcass breaks down so that it's undetectable. I am as squeamish as they come about accidental animal consumption but I have never been put off eating figs I must say. There is no animal cruelty involved since it's the fig wasps' natural life cycle.

Why can't vegans just be happy people are trying to do good. Always gotta one up.

That’s not my experience of vegans at all. Two of my close friends are vegan but have never judged me. I had a chat with a stranger who was a vegan who just encouraged me to cut down and said “anything you can do is a help”.

But if you look at it from their pov, that a massive holocaust is occurring, surely you’d do everything you could to stop it. Just like Christian evangelists proselytise because they genuinely believe non-believers are going to hell.

Why wouldn't we want to make veganism more accessible, and encourage people to give it a go? Lasting behaviour change is complex and very difficult to achieve. It doesn't matter what you call it, veganuary is an important step in the right direction.

@coatlessinspokane not most real life vegans either...on here though nothing but moaning. People try to do a bit and it's never good enough. It's basically like trolling overweight people online for trying to lose weight. Keyboard warriors isn't it

I'm tired of hearing about Veganuary and I agree with the OP to an extent. I am an omnivore with no plans to change my diet. Of course people can embrace a plant-based diet for the month of January but what they shouldn't do is go on and on about it, trying to present themselves as more virtuous than others.

I don't mind so much if long term vegans take the stance that they live more ethically than omnivores, but hopping on the Veganuary bandwagon doesn't make you a saint, so if you're doing this, do it quietly, please.

Because short term goals could be - for some - more achievable than a wholesale change in whatever lifestyle habit.

FFS.

Can someone please invent another word for people who eat a plant-based diet but don't feel the need to have every aspect of their lives dictated by veganism? 'Plant based diet' is too much of a mouthful and I'm sick to death of the vegan overlords bickering and sniping in competition over who is the most vegan and who fits in their lofty box of being vegan enough to use the word vegan.

It's all incredibly tedious. I'm doing Veganuary this year and have quickly learned to tell people (if the subject comes up, better still to get on with quietly) that I'm trying it for my health- the only justification that doesn't illicit argument and consternation from meat eaters and ethical vegans alike.

Do you really need a word.

If you are eating out then obviously if you won’t or can’t eat anything then that’s helpful (I’m vegan, I’m a celiac, I eat kosher...). If you are in the situation where you won’t go hungry if presented with a lamb chop them you aren’t an ‘anything’. It’s just bragging rights surely?

Surely the whole point of Veganuary is that people are simply eating a vegan diet for January.

No one is claiming to be an actual vegan so you don't need to worry about the worth of your halo being diminished.

Why argue over labels, though? Surely anything that encourages people to eat more nuts and less cheese has to be a good thing...

Surely anything that encourages people to eat more nuts and less cheese has to be a good thing...

It doesn’t though. It encourages people to eat vegan cheese, which is vile.

Which restaurant announced yesterday that it is going nut free?

AlwaysBeFabulous Are you a vegan? I'm guessing not.

Unless it inspires you to continue with veganism in which case kudos to you.

Surely giving it a try is also worthy of kudos. I think your attitude creates barriers.

You’re sounding very cultish OP. For you it might be a “philosophy” but to most people it’s just a way of eating.

Honestly, I don't see the point in nit picking over this stuff, it feels a bit sneery. People may end up eating more ethically or healthily even if they don't remain completely vegan and I think that can only be a good thing

This. It seems to be all or nothing.

The attitude seems to be if you don't commit 100% then you can't call yourself veggie or vegetarian.

I think we need a more flexible attitude. I have a veggie friend who about once or twice a year will treat herself to a bacon sarnie. Her choice. Surprising how many "friends" ridicule this and say she isn't veggie so she should shut up and just eat the steak pie they've offered, or she has no say in choosing a restaurant for it's veggie options. In fact I know a few people like this, and have given up attempting to eat a veggie diet because of it.

Well, if she’s eating bacon she isn’t a vegetarian. Why doesn’t she just say she eats a mainly vegetarian diet?

Words need to have a meaning.

But if you look at it from their pov, that a massive holocaust is occurring, surely you’d do everything you could to stop it. Just like Christian evangelists proselytise because they genuinely believe non-believers are going to hell.

Using language like this does no one any favours. Any time I've ever come across anyone using the words holocaust, genocide etc in relation to eating meat I immediately turn off. Although thankfully I've only ever seen this type of thing online.

It's like the joke they always seem to tell you in Italy when the subject of Virgin/Extra Virgin olive oil comes up - "you either are or you aren't!".

DH isn't veggie but chooses not to eat meat for health reasons (or butter, cream etc). He might choose the veggie or even vegan option when travelling to make sure there is no butter/cream etc in there, but he would never call himself a veggie, vegan or even pescatarian (as he would eat chicken or meat of it was the only option).

ahhh I remember the good old days, when it was a diet, not a religion

You think the rise in popularity of vegan foods, and the fact it is so much easier now than ever to make vegan choices, is because of people that are ethical moral philosophically vegan?
No. Those type of vegans are the ones putting many people off with their smug intellectual superiority wanking.
Meanwhile, the rest of us living normal lives are doing their best to make better choices where we can, and reducing meat and dairy.
The rise of veganuary and flexitarianism has made huge changes in public perception and avilability of plant based products, because its no longer seen as niche and for cranks

Well, if she’s eating bacon she isn’t a vegetarian. Why doesn’t she just say she eats a mainly vegetarian diet?

because if she does, people tell her she isn't vegetarian and won't cater for her as a veggie. So she ends up not being able to go to dinner or meals as there won't be a veggie option offered as she "isn't veggie". If she says she "eats mainly vegetarian" people hear she eat meat, and think nothing of presenting her with chicken curry.

She enjoys meat, but doesn't agree with the meat industry. So she has a lapse once a year. Like saying I'm not catholic if I miss mass one week.

I don't eat meat because it makes me ill. I started reducing my consumption for ethical reasons and because I was living with my friend above so easier to keep a veggie house. Again though unless I say I don't ever, ever eat meat people won't provide a veggie option.

It's the same with alcohol. I rarely drink. But because I might have a glass of wine on my birthday, I'm not teetotal and am expected to drink on every other social occasion.

People need to wind their neck in and accept what people want to do. If someone requests a coke, or a vegetarian meal, don't judge whether they're a "proper veggie" and insist they eat meat or drink alcohol because they have done on another occasion.

The less animal products eaten/used the better. It should be encouraged, not told they aren't doing it right and shouldn't bother.

Personally I love vegan january or whatever it's called. It's massively increased those options in the mainstream.

^It's the same with alcohol. I rarely drink. But because I might have a glass of wine on my birthday, I'm not teetotal and am expected to drink on every other social occasion.*

Do you tell people you’re teetotal?

The less animal products eaten/used the better. It should be encouraged, not told they aren't doing it right and shouldn't bother.

I agree. But that doesn’t mean people should call themselves vegetarian if they’re still eating meat.

because if she does, people tell her she isn't vegetarian and won't cater for her as a veggie. So she ends up not being able to go to dinner or meals as there won't be a veggie option offered as she "isn't veggie". If she says she "eats mainly vegetarian" people hear she eat meat, and think nothing of presenting her with chicken curry. She enjoys meat, but doesn't agree with the meat industry. So she has a lapse once a year.

If her ethics allow her to lapse once a year for her own enjoyment, then they should allow her to eat meat to avoid inconveniencing people who are kind enough to invite her for dinner. She sounds like a selfish hypocrite.

I don't say I'm vegan, I say 'I'm doing Veganuary'. I'm not claiming to 'be' vegan. Having said that, everyone I personally know who is a vegan started with Veganuary. So please step off your high horse, and see it for what it is.