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Original poster

What’s wrong with being a part-time Vegan?

131 replies

CookieDough2017 · 15/01/2020 13:25

Hi there,

I will give you a bit of background ... I have been a pescatarian for 5-6 years. I decided to become a vegetarian late October last year. I slipped up once and ate fish on holiday celebrating my 30th.

I’m now trying to do Veganuary ... In the first week I struggled to do it full time the second week I set myself a target of being a 2-4 times week I found this a lot more easier and I can see myself carrying on doing this throughout the year.

When I tell people I’m doing Veganuary but part-time they laugh and say what’s the point you might as well not bother.

What are people’s problem with me doing this part time? Would love to here from any other part-time vegans out there x

OP posts:
mummyway · 15/01/2020 13:54

You didn't have to announce what you were doing, ie part time vegabuary. Since you did announce it then other people are entitled to their opinions. Also the vegans I know do it for moral reasons andwouodnt ever say they are morally aware or environmentally aware but only on a parti time basis. It's a way of life either you are a vegan or you are not

eminencegrise · 15/01/2020 13:55

You are just a person eating less meat. Not a vegan.

Nuttyfellalovesnutella · 15/01/2020 13:57

I must be a part time vegan too. One day a month I’ll have non animal and dairy food.

Vinorosso74 · 15/01/2020 14:00

I think the problem is the labelling. You either are a vegan or you're not. I'm vegetarian (have been for years) but am doing Veganuary. I still describe myself as vegetarian as I have no idea if I will continue after January.

Smellbellina · 15/01/2020 14:00

Isn’t that called a Flexitarian now?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with how you eat or what words you choose to describe it, it’s not like anyone can stop you saying you’re a part-time vegan. They may object but really, who cares?

Batqueen · 15/01/2020 14:00

OP, I feel I probably eat quite similarly to you. I went pescatarian, then vegetarian and now I’m cutting down on dairy.

Our local pub has a great vegan menu which tonight I will most likely order from but that doesn’t mean I’m a part time vegan, because I’m not one. I’m just eating less dairy than before. Very few people care.

Jitterbugger · 15/01/2020 14:03

For starters, I think you're either vegan or you're not. Being vegan is more than just a diet. It's a way of life and effects every aspect of your life. Doing Veganuary doesn't make you vegan.

Secondly, it's fine to live on a vegan diet part time, and that is no one's business but yours. But you're not a part time vegan because again, your are either vegan or you're not.

Thirdly, who cares what anyone else eats/thinks? Why the need to announce it?

TropicPlunder · 15/01/2020 14:05

Agree that you really don't need to describe your diet. I'm an omnivore who rarely eats meat, and it's very rare that I have to describe that, even when discussing vegan food and other dietary things with friends. If you've made your moral, health and environment choices and are comfortable with them, there's no need to label are 'be' something.
In my opinion, there is a point in you choosing to eat that way though!

Jitterbugger · 15/01/2020 14:05

*Affects

bank100 · 15/01/2020 14:07

Well, you wouldn't be 'a vegan'. You would be conscious of your eating habits and prefer to mostly rely on a plant based diet. Who cares though, noone is monitoring you and you have noone to answer to!

Hopefully you wouldn't be preaching to others about not eating meat etc. Unlike some vegans I know.

okiedokieme · 15/01/2020 14:15

It's not being vegan, but eat what you want. I had no meat, fish or dairy yesterday by coincidence, it doesn't make me a part time vegan, I just didn't eat those foods. I rarely eat meat during the week, doesn't make me pt veggie

Bitofnamechanging · 15/01/2020 14:17

I know someone who is going vegan january - but she's not too bothered about eggs and will also eat fish. Not vegan then

Lordfrontpaw · 15/01/2020 14:19

You either eat a killed animal or dairy - or you don’t.

Good to eat more plant based diet but doesn’t make you a vegan.

SexTrainGlue · 15/01/2020 14:21

I've never really understood the difference between flexitarian and omnivore

Jamhandprints · 15/01/2020 14:24

You're cutting down on animal products. That doesnt make you a vegan. Last night I ate pasta with tomato sauce but that didnt make me a vegetarian! :-)

magicmallow · 15/01/2020 14:28

ignore the haters, people love to bring you down if you don't live up to a certain standard. but maybe not describing yourself as vegan might be a good idea. More plant based, as others suggested, is appropriate. And good on you for giving it a go!!

goteam · 15/01/2020 14:28

It doesn't need a label. You are just an omnivore eating a normal balanced diet. Most people I know try to eat less meat and fish but it doesn't need a label. I actually am a vegan but there are few occasions I would mention this. Maybe when ordering food. Glad people are trying veganuary but unless you do the whole month vegan, you aren't really doing veganuary.

Original poster
CookieDough2017 · 15/01/2020 14:30

Sorry if I have caused offence ...

I was just labelling the diet as vegan ... I have made a lot of swaps like milk and butter for dairy free alternatives. I also check if a cleaning/beauty product has been tested on animals. I’m not just having tomato pasta and saying I’m a part time vegan.

OP posts:
GojuRyuLover · 15/01/2020 14:37

@Cookiedough2017 I think it's brilliant that you are vegetarian and trying to reduce your intake of eggs and dairy. The problem, as PP have said, is that veganism is a lifestyle choice whereas you are following a plant-based diet some days a week.

There is nothing wrong with it though, hopefully you can gradually move towards a fully plant-based diet as it gets easier for you.

Go you for making a change!

ShadowFall · 15/01/2020 14:37

Rather than using the term “part-time vegan”, I’d say something along the lines of “I’m trying to eat less animal products, so for half the week I’ll only be eating plant based foods”

IncrediblySadToo · 15/01/2020 14:38

As others have said - you cannot be a part time Vegan - in the same way you can’t be partly pregnant. You either are or you aren’t vegan and you are not.

Just say, if you must say anything, that you are eating a plant based diet and are trying to limit your use of any animal products in other areas.

You’re doing A Good Thing, but you are causing issues by saying you’re vegan.

Keep doing what you’re doing though🌷

GojuRyuLover · 15/01/2020 14:39

@CookieDough2017 Don't let people put you off though! Don't worry about a label. It sounds like you are really trying and making some positive changes.

There are many vegan Facebook groups if you are interested/want some advice or recipe ideas. UK Vegan and Vegan UK for a start.

Lougle · 15/01/2020 14:40

I don't think you're causing offence, but for 'real' vegans it won't be enough. It's a whole lifestyle, isn't it?

I couldn't do it. I read a thread where somebody suggested a breakfast that included 'vegan nutrition flakes' and that was enough for me.

TheOrangeFox · 15/01/2020 14:47

It's not offensive, it's just not veganism in any semblance of the word. You're doing things to reduce impact on the planet and there doesn't need to be a word for it, it's just good.

Oblomov20 · 15/01/2020 14:51

You are doing real vegans a disservice. I'm not. I eat a lot of meat. I also eat a lot of vegan food. Because I'm best mates with a vegan and a vegetarian and we eat vegan a lot together.

But that vegan has views on cruelty to animals and sustainability and carbon footprint etc that you don't commit to full time.

So you Shouldn't say anything at all because if I was a vegan what you're doing would really hack me off.