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?)

Does that make me less of a vegan if my principles are different to yours?

No it makes you less of a vegan because you are chock full of animal products.
Are you seriously arguing against that? It's like claiming you;re a celibate hooker.

Amazing food choices today. And absolutely fair play to you for otherwise being so disciplined - I'm slowly making the move towards more environmentally friendly food choices all round (less meat, buying local, avoiding plastic packaging) and even that is an adjustment!

To the people being preachy twats... I'm interested as to what people like you think vegans are? Are you not allowed to call yourself vegan if you have ever bought leather shoes in the past, for example? Does OP have to start again as a vegan now to earn planet saving points to a certain level where you'll seen her worthy, and if she ever 'slips' intentionally or otherwise, she goes back to the start like snakes and ladders? Seems insane to me that OP has in one day besmirched her good vegan name forever...

@botanicbaby so when I go back to eating vegan tomorrow with no cheating or endnin sight, when will you consider me a ‘proper’ vegan?

Did you eat out at Flat Iron and Nando's?

I'm not sure thought that even at an individual level strict veganism is necessarily better Nickname. If you eat a wild rabbit or duck shot by a local farmer, then you are not eating crops that took vast quantities of water, fertiliser, and hence CO2 emissions etc etc to grow (admittedly the bunny probably would too given half the chance).

But I think the OP is more interested in the kudos of being able to call herself a vegan and thereby 'helping the planet', rather than making a more nuanced choice of diet that may not have a fancy name but does more in practice to make an environmental difference. A vegan who busily eats kenyan beans all year round and Argentinian asparagus in December is unquestionably doing more harm to the planet than a carnivore who makes the effort to eat local meat and veg from the sunday cooperative market. The OP has engaged vigorously with people telling her she isn't vegan because she's fallen off the wagon for a day, but totally ignored any questioning about whether veganism is actually the most ethical choice. That says a lot, to me. I'd ask the question: if your main concern is environmental, why the hell do you care so much whether or not you can call yourself a vegan?!

*Does that make me less of a vegan if my principles are different to yours?
No but choosing to eat meat and dairy isn’t consistent with being a vegan.

@purpledaisys three and a half bloody years of strict veganism with one day break is not ‘mainly’ a vegan diet!

ourkidmolly yes and yes

three and a half bloody years of strict veganism with one day break is not ‘mainly’ a vegan diet!

Of course it is. The vast majority (or most) was vegan and you then chose to eat meat and dairy.

three and a half bloody years of strict veganism with one day break is not ‘mainly’ a vegan diet!

It is though. Its not an only vegan diet, is it?

Why are you arguing against facts you know to be true? Do you feel so bad about losing your label? Did it bolster your self esteem>

YANBU! if us carnivores can have a meat free monday without it making us vegetarian, I don't see why a meat full monday doesn't stop you being a vegan! As others have said by being vegan for so long you've done something really positive for your health and something socially responsible - more than most people ever do in their lives. Have the odd day off if you like. I think sometimes with cravings our bodies are telling us there's something we're lacking nutritionally but that could be a load of old codswallop - maybe you just fancied a change. It's a free country!

@HotblackDesiatoto

Can we please get that answer on when OP can call herself a vegan again? If she ever can?

Look, if you’re so resentful about the “three and a half bloody years”, just own it and eat meat occasionally. That’s fine. It’s a good choice environmentally. You’re just not a vegan.

OP, according to done, you'll never shit out your sins.

These people cannot be reasoned with.

You do what you can. You are vegan 99.99% of the time. It's better than the vast majority of us, environmentally. Don't let others' condescension get to you.

I'm calling myself a vegan even though I've only been a vegan for a month (this time). I called myself a vegan from day one. Nobody else cares what I call myself.

OP - from tomorrow you can call yourself a vegan again. I think it's better if you think of yourself as a vegan as quickly as possible and put your day of terrible food behind you.

Does anyone on this thread know of any vegan cheese that doesn't taste like a science experiment?

YANBU! if us carnivores can have a meat free monday without it making us vegetarian, I don't see why a meat full monday doesn't stop you being a vegan!

Carnivores (you mean omnivores) aren’t committed to eating meat every day in the same way vegetarians are committed to never eating meat.

We've reduced our meat consumption a lot, but I'm not going completely veggie let alone vegan.

I've seen reports that going completely vegan would be worse for the planet than eating a small amount of meat.

We have areas on this planet that simply can't be used for arable farming but which is perfect for animal husbandry (eg salt marsh lamb). Then you see vast areas of America being farmed for wheat, and the only way they can grow those quantities is through shedloads of fertiliser and pesticides.

Personally I think the key is balance. Meat/Poultry/Fish once or twice a week, and vegetarian meals the rest of the time.

I love how you tried to make a Nandos sound posh 😂

Breaking your veganism is fine as long as you aren't one of the annoying preachy vegans, then it would just be hypocritical.

It's almost like my dream day of food.

YABU for calling yourself vegan. Veganism is the practical implementation of the life philosophy of anti-speciesism. It's not something you cheat on; you either believe it and act on it or you don't. Then you don't see it as a sacrifice. I have never found it hard because I don't see it that way. Any more than not hitting women any more is a sacrifice for someone who takes on feminist beliefs.

Environmental issues etc are nothing to do with veganism. You might eat a largely plant-based diet for environmental reasons, but that wouldn't stop you eating locally murdered grey squirrels, or insects, for example.

Plus you could have got reasonable vegan alternatives for most of that food anyway. And there is "cheating" in sight anyway; you said you intended to do it again already! So clearly you aren't committed to it.

Can we please get that answer on when OP can call herself a vegan again? If she ever can?

Am I the oracle or something? I don't fecking know! But not today, and not tomorrow, and not until she removes the notion from her noggin that you can eat steak and still call yourself a vegan!

Lads, this is not some weird opinion I have that you can scoff at, its simple fact. OP actually smells of beef right now, and shes agog that she can't call herself a vegan! Cop yourself on!

Labels are usually for other people rather than ourselves - so others know our boundaries

OP you posted this and yet asked again and again and again what people will call you tomorrow. To me that sounds a bit contradictory, but anyway does it matter? You can eat and call yourself whatever you want - even if others disagree - so why this need for validation?

The only thing I'd worry about personally is the "craving" you've had for years and what it might say about whether the diet suits you. I realise veganism works for many, but many doesn't mean all

Apologies @frogsoup - I didn’t mean to ignore the question.

Again, I’m not saying I have the right answers. I’m just doing what is best. All research say that at the moment, eating vegan is the best thing you can do for the environment. I agree that wild rabbit etc is ethically ok - however if you are trying to model and ethical sound life, that doesn’t work as it logically follows that lots of people switch to wild rabbits, then there’s not enough wild rabbits so rabbits end up being intensively farmed and we’re right back where we started.

I agree about the environmental concerns of veg from far out countries which is whyni also try to eat local as much as possible.

As I’ve explained before, the reason why the label is important to me is because it aff cts how other people treat you and how seriously they take your dietary requirements. PEople will make an effort for a vegan - they won’t for a mostly vegan/flexitarian/ethical eater

All research say that at the moment, eating vegan is the best thing you can do for the environment

Thats a big fat nope. Not all research says that at all, not by a long shot. Lots of research completely disagrees.

As I’ve explained before, the reason why the label is important to me is because it aff cts how other people treat you and how seriously they take your dietary requirements.

Presumably this is why you’re not telling people you’re eating a mostly vegan diet which is an accurate description?