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

[CookieDough2017]

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

What you're doing is varying your diet. Its good. Its not vegan.

^This. Vegan isn’t just about the food, it is an entire lifestyle, 24/7

I think vegans and veggies get pissed odd because often the pet timers and the awkward buggers and if they also do actually eat meat/cheese etc sometimes then it confuses people as to what the diet actually is.

There are still times when you will find a risotto cooked with chicken stock of road potatoes cooked in goose fat offered as a veggie option.

We can self identify as men but we aren’t allowed to call ourselves vegan unless we pass a purity test? Bollocks to that, all meat reduction should be celebrated & encouraged.

Bollocks to that, all meat reduction should be celebrated & encouraged.
I agree that reducing meat is a good thing. Words have a meaning. Vegan means no meat. You can self identify all you want but it doesn’t mean you don’t look ridiculous eating a vegan burger made of beef.

Veganism is a way of life and goes beyond diet. Nothing wrong at all with eating less meat and dairy and eating more fruit, veg and wholegrains. Why not just say you are eating more plant based?

Of course she has to tell people what she is doing she is a 'vegan' after all. Isn't that what they do?

it is all a bit people's front of Judea for me - I do agree about people that aren't strict vegans making a pest of themselves at dinner parties etc.

I'd be v pissed off if I spent a whole day searching vegan ingredients

Oh, those elusive vegetables.

Oh, those elusive vegetables

Do vegans ONLY eat vegetables?! no wonder theyre so angry

It's just rather dramatic, suggesting an entire day needs to be spent in search of 'vegan food'.

Go into the local supermarket and you can buy all manner of processed vegan crap. Or roast some veg and bung a tin of chickpeas on top. Or pour some tomato sauce onto pasta.

It's just rather dramatic, suggesting an entire day needs to be spent in search of 'vegan food'

This. Or ask the vegan to bring their own contribution*. They are more than happy to do so.

*Handy tip, the vegan needs to bring at least 4x what they would eat as all the meat eaters will have some :)

It doesn’t need a label. You’re just trying to eat more healthily and ethically.

Do vegans ONLY eat vegetables?

And fruit - but, yes, plants.

don’t expect people to just accept a meat eating vegan.

What do you mean by "accept"? Who cares?

I care because I am vegan and it means people try and give me things which aren’t vegan because there other “vegans” eat it.

By “not accept it” I mean “not let pass without comment” or “not think you’re an idiot for describing yourself like that”.

It's completely fine to want to reduce your meat, fish and dairy consumption.

But there is no such thing as part-time vegan.

I am not part-time vegetarian because I ate a bowl of cereal for breakfast. I just ate breakfast. I am not part-time vegan if I drank fruit juice. I just drank.

Why the need to label it?

I care because I am vegan and it means people try and give me things which aren’t vegan because there other “vegans” eat it.

That must be aggravating. But I meant, who cares if you don't accept what they call themselves?
I know vegans who only do the diet bit and nothing else.
I know one who eats shellfish (big debate that - are they plants or animals, nobody knows!)
I knew a committed vegetarian who had leather seats in his car.

Call yourself what you like. If you feel the need to pass comment on what other people call themselves, then you be prepared for the fallout too!

Is a person who does not have sex every day part time celibate according to this logic?

It's just rather dramatic, suggesting an entire day needs to be spent in search of 'vegan food'

It is dramatic but wtf does “part time vegan” even mean? If you are expecting people to cook for you or have been invited for food this really isn’t clear at all. I couldnt be doing with this. Bring your own fcking food if you can’t make your mind up about being vegan or not.

I'm eating a plant based diet this month. I don't think I will continue long term (already veggie though), but not entirely decided yet. I have had stomach pains so something about what I'm eating so far isn't agreeing with me. I find it less embarrassing when refusing some cake at work or explaining to a friend cooking me a meal that I am doing veganuary, rather than saying I am currently eating a vegan diet but might not be in the future...
It's been easy to find food so far, lots of the supermarket stuff I can't afford - £3 for an individual ready meal type thing.

Is a person who does not have sex every day part time celibate according to this logic?

Exactly. It makes you sound stupid.

Is a person who does not have sex every day part time celibate according to this logic?

No, but if someone say they don’t want sex you don’t insist they do as they wanted it yesterday.

So why expect someone to eat meat if they choose not to, regardless of whether they’re a “proper” veggie of vegan?

So why expect someone to eat meat if they choose not to, regardless of whether they’re a “proper” veggie of vegan?

Because part time MEANS not all the time. Therefore that means sometimes they aren’t vegan. Does that mean they’ll eat eggs? Or cheese? How the heck am I supposed to know when catering for a part time vegan? How do I know the day they are coming to me isn’t a full vegan day?
Nope. Sorry. This is ridiculous

There is no such thing as a part time vegan. Just tell people you're reducing dairy consumption.
If a meat eater/vegetarian had toast for breakfast they wouldn't be part time vegan.. they just ate one meal that happens to be vegan

I know one who eats shellfish (big debate that - are they plants or animals, nobody knows!)
What?