Broken my veganism today

[Stepstepmother]

And had to tell someone!

I’ve been a vegan for a few years - for environmental reasons and the argument that it’s much more possible to feed the world when we eat a plant based diet. It’s genuinely been a sacrifice as I love eating meat and fish and dairy - but I’ve done it. Lately I’ve been toying with the idea of giving myself a secret day off. Just one day, then back to it. That day was today. So I’ve eaten...

A buttery cheese croissant for breakfast
Rare steak with beef dripping chips and creamed spinach for lunch
A chicken thigh pita with halloumi cheese, caramelised onions, and garlic aoli for dinner.

It’s all been epic. And totally secret. I’m back on the straight and narrow vegan route again tomorrow and will look forward to my next cheat day in a few years time. But I just had to share.

(I know I’ve posted in AIBU - so, was I unreasonable?)

Definitely not! You’ve still done way more than most of us (including me), so it’s a drop in the ocean.

How's your tummy? Hope it manages to digest what you've eaten ok!!

You're gonna have such a stomach ache later! Wouldn't go too far from a loo!!

That was some day off!

No YANBU, I couldn't even do a week as a vegan, but I'm sure there will be many posters calling you all sorts...

Yanbu btw.

You can eat a vegan diet without defining yourself as a vegan. Then if you eat a burger one day, it doesn't change "who you are".

You’re already doing more than most! The odd cheat day is totally fine.

(Your digestive system may disagree...!)

Hope you feel okay.

I felt Ill after having a dash of milk in my tea after being dairy free for a couple of months!

So you aren't a vegan

Stomach actually feels fine - surprisingly so! I just feel very full, but no more than if I’d over indulged in vegan food.

It genuinely will just be this one day. It was all amazing but morally I do think veganism is better for the planet. So I’ll be doing my little bit by going back to it tomorrow

When I was veggie I used to give myself 3 days off a year 😂 a hangover burger day, a summer BBQ day and Christmas dinner. I was veggie for environmental reasons but couldn’t quite make it to vegan.

One cheat won’t hurt! Hope you enjoyed

Oh look, robojesus is back. Her gifted child is probably writing a thesis on veganism as we write.

Hey OP, today you slipped up. Back on it tomorrow, you're human. Chin up, tits out, tomorrow is another day.

I was strictly vegan for a while but found it too challenging for various reasons - now I’m a mostly plant based pescatarian. I still advocate for the animals, I buy cruelty free and don’t wear animals either. I couldn’t go back to eating meet ever but the only person you’re accountable to is yourself, if you want the occasional cheat day that’s fine. We are what we do most of the time.

You’ve just described like the best days food intake ever

My reasons are also environmental first, animals second, so I’m more comfortable with flexibility.

Haha Robojesus I was wondering when that first comment would hit.

I feel ok in my morals. I’ve been strictly vegan for years. Today I wasn’t. Tomorrow I will be again for years to come. I’m doing what I can for the planet in my little corner.

But judgements like that is why so many people struggle to make the leap. Because they feel that one slip or mistake renders everything they’ve done useless and meaningless. I don’t subscribe to that

@Grumpbum123 not for the chickens or cows!

Don't worry about it, most people who are 'vegans' cheat all the time anyway. Every one I know who claim to be vegans (and I know about 5) have a cheeky bit of cheese now and again, or things made from milk and eggs.

Eating steak and beefy juice though? Worst vegan ever!

Sorry but @robojesus is right. OP isn't a vegan.

Jesus, that's some cheat day. Hope your tummy is still okay tomorrow.
YANBU. It's your life! And I'm speaking as a vegan.
Out of genuine interest, are you bothered about cross contamination usually? And no, I'm not starting anything, just interested.

Im vegetarian and never been tempted by meat. However, I do think that if depriving yourself is making you unhappy you should make some changes. The issue is the definition of 'vegan'. You can reduce the amount of meat and dairy you eat without defining yourself. In terms of 'cheating' and not telling anyone - you are being a bit daft. Your food choices dont affect me or anyone else at all, so just do what makes you happy.

Oh I’m totally the worst vegan ever. Every day is truly a sacrifice. I love meat, the rarer the better. Cheese is the food of the Gods. There is nothing better than fresh seafood. But morally I feel that veganism is better for the world and the planet. I’ve been super strict for 3.5 years - no sneaky bits of cheese, no little drops of milk. I’ve had one big blow out today and back to it tomorrow.

But you aren't... That's just a fact

You can be as sarcy as you want.

You are still not a vegan.

I could have written that post- have been doing it since September for exactly the same reasons. Recently went to Greece for a few weeks and ate what I wanted, but have realised I feel much better not eating meat. Glad you enjoyed your day of freedom!

The reason for not telling anyone is actually becyof the reactions on this thread. If I told people they would just say - oh, so you’re not a vegan - and expect me to eat anything they put in front of me. Am I a vegan? Today I wasn’t. Yesterday I was. Tomorrow I will be.