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?)

@BigChocFrenzy I agree! If a Christian commits a sin, do they no longer get to call themselves Christian?

if a Christian commits a sin, do they no longer get to call themselves Christian?

You’ve totally misunderstood Christianity if you think it’s about people stopping sinning. That’s a big derail though.

A better analogy would be if you chose to drink occasionally, could you call yourself teetotal. Yes, you could but people would rightly be a bit , especially when you’re asking them to go out of their way to provide you with fully vegan food.

I gave up dairy as it’s actually really bad for you

So you aren't a vegan

Of course she is, she has told us so.

She wasn't vegan yesterday, but today she is.

BTW no one is ever vegan their whole life, we all start off drinking milk, it may be a vegan mother's milk, it's still an animal product.

To those sanctimonious posters, what are you trying to achieve? To put people off veganism altogether? To make the op feel like a failure so she gives up altogether?

Wow! All the vegans I know would NEVER have a cheat day, so I am struggling to believe it’s true.

Being a vegan would be way too tough for me.

I became a vegetarian on my 30th birthday ( don't ask! ) and this year I was 40.

The thing i miss most is bacon. I still cook it for my boys and love the smell.
I honestly don't think I will ever eat meat again though after 10 years. Never liked fish to start with.

I don't understand why you did it though?
The thought of eating a steak makes me feel sick now!

You are a vegan. You have done more in 3.5 years to avoid reliance on intensive farming, society's reliance on meat and animals products and to minimise environmental damage than most people do.

I haven't had any chicken, cow, pig, sheep, deer, rabbit, crocodile, guinea pig etc in 38 years. I have eaten small amounts of fish in that time, normally when on holiday. I make my own dietary choices and am happy that I've decreased the demand for meat consumption.

Your veganism remains impressive despite the day off.

OP, what you did is fine. You follow a vegan diet most of the time.

So do I. Although my weakness is cheese. And I don't buy vegan wine, it's just not practical for me. A better description might be flexitarian.

Like you I do it for environmental reasons.

As a vegetarian, it's frustrating when I'm told about someone's 'vegetarian' friend who eats fish, or will eat meat occasionally or at special meals out or whatever. That's because people who know nothing about it then think that's an acceptable vegetarian thing to do, and think I'm being difficult or awkward when I won't. Eat what you like, OP, but I can see why others are saying you aren't vegan.

Gees, there is some serious navel-gazing going on here. Eat what you like, life is short.

I think 3.5 years of veganism is pretty impressive - I couldn't do it because I like dairy products. I often think that it's easy to give up chocolate, cake or crisps for Lent - what would be difficult would be milk (and by extension cheese). I hate black tea and coffee and what would I put on my cereal?

The idea that having one day off invalidates your being a vegan is nonsensical and it does all become a bit of a cult.

I'm not vegetarian either but there's no way I could eat steak. And I can't bear pork. It seems to find its way into all sorts of things like soups and salads.

You’re not vegan (definition is avoiding animal exploitation as far as practical and possible- nothing to do with environment) but by eating plant based every day of the year except one then you’re doing far more than most other people.

@runningkeenster there are loads of plant based milks.

@sashh breast milk is vegan. Look at definition of vegan 2 posts up.

@Stepstepmother one thing I’m wondering is why you felt the need to do this? Are you on a strict diet? I drink milkshakes eat pizza, croissants, donuts, ice cream, biscuits, burgers etc frequently but they are all vegan. Jus rol croissants for example.

BTW no one is ever vegan their whole life, we all start off drinking milk, it may be a vegan mother's milk, it's still an animal product.

Brilliant! This post wins the thread for sheer stupidity

@Jeanclaudejackety, well, aren't you a delightful lovely person

If you REALLY want to help the planet don't worry so much about veganism, just don't have children. This would have a far far greater impact.
If you really want a family foster or adopt instead.
Or if you feel you must pass on your genes have only one.

(Not that I followed this 20 years ago- but we were not as aware of the impending crisis caused by the exponential growth in the world's population).

I agree, I think it is up to the most passionate and vocal vegans to set an example to the rest of humanity by not reproducing.

This thread has just confirmed my view that a vast amount of vegans get their knickers in a twist about their beliefs

You don’t have to be a vegan to love animals and the planet OP! Just buy responsibly, only buy meat from organic hand reared animals. But free range eggs, etc if possible get it from a reputable butchers etc

I'd be really surprised if you didn't end up with a massive stomach ache.

I think there is a difference between being a vegan and following a vegan diet. In my mind a vegan wouldn’t plan “cheat days” (and the OP clearly states she is looking forward to the next one)

It seems really hypocritical to expect people to cater for your diet when you are happy to ignore it on a whim for your own convenience and enjoyment.