From celebrities to YouTubers, there is a growing list of famous individuals who fall into the category of “ex-vegans”. And they certainly aren’t alone – it is estimated that around 84 percent of people who give plant-based diets a try go back to their meat-eating ways after a while.
Needless to say, this is upsetting news if you’re a vegan. At the same time, there is a great deal to be gleaned from individuals who are no longer vegan. By learning from their mistakes and understanding how to avoid them, you can stick with your plant-based diet.
So, let’s check out the top lesson that you can pick up from ex-vegans:
Educate Yourself Before You Commit
It is unfortunate, but most people don’t understand what veganism is. As a result, their entire transformation is based on incorrect perceptions or shoddy information. Needless to say, it is difficult to build a lifestyle on such elements.
So, before you decide to commit to veganism, do some research. Talk to people, watch documentaries, and do some soul searching. Veganism doesn’t have to have the same definition for everyone. In the end, all that matters is that you’re doing your best to reduce the abuse and exploitation of animals. It is up to you to decide how to go about it.
Reflect on Your Choice
Just because veganism is the right choice doesn’t mean it is an easy one. Most people who choose to go vegan are adults. This means that you have spent most of your life eating meat, consuming dairy and eggs, and wearing animal-derived products. Thus, you shouldn’t expect switching to veganism to feel automatic or even natural.
Rather, think of veganism as a constant work in progress. Always take it one day at a time. In some instances, only thinking about your next meal, purchase, or move can make it easier to contend with this enormous life decision. Then, before you know it, you will have been vegan for years.
Don’t Restrict Yourself
Far too many people adopt veganism the same way they do fad diets. As such, they believe that veganism has largely to do with restriction. So, for much of their diet, they focus only on cutting various foods out of their diets.
Needless to say, restricting yourself in any way can have a negative impact. First off, this kind of diet is unsustainable. Furthermore, when such restrictive diets come to an end, people usually go to the opposite extreme because they are so fed up with limiting their diet and lifestyle.
A vegan diet doesn’t have to be limited or restrictive. After all, there are more kinds of vegetables and fruits than meats! These days, there are also more plant milks and vegan milk-based products to choose from. The number of faux meat options is skyrocketing as well.
Talk to Doctors and Nutritionists
You will often find ex-vegans claiming to give up veganism due to malnourishment, brain fog, and a wide variety of health complaints. Now, it is true that some people can’t function on a vegan diet. Certain individuals have a genetic disposition to suffer from various deficiencies. These individuals may need to follow an omnivore diet to remain healthy.
By and large, though, most people can remain on a vegan diet and lead healthy lives. After all, numerous plant-based cultures have been thriving for centuries, perhaps millennia! So, if you feel that you are suffering from fatigue or any other health concern, talk to your doctor or nutritionist.
One of the reasons for these issues could be a restrictive or limited diet. You may not be including enough variation in your diet, or perhaps you’re reducing your intake of certain nutrients. It could also be that you need to add supplements to your diet.
Before you decide to give up your diet, speak to a professional. They will let you know whether you can continue a healthy vegan diet as long as you make a few modifications. Not to mention, they can come to a definite conclusion about whether it is your diet that is causing your health problems.
Missteps Aren’t the End
If you imagine that veganism means perfection, think again! Veganism simply means that you are a more conscientious human. However, at the end of the day, you are still human. This means that you will stumble now and then.
Many ex-vegans have fallen off the vegan wagon and indulged in meat, dairy, or other non-vegan products. This, in turn, has led to guilt followed by the complete abandonment of the vegan diet.
You may have made a few missteps along the way. This is especially true if you are going to be vegan for the rest of your life. But, these don’t make you any less committed to the cause. So, take these slip-ups in stride. Accept them and continue with your vegan ways. In the end, these blunders will be just a blip on your radar and you can move on.
Focus on Your Personal Mission
A surprising number of ex-vegans change their diet and lifestyles to please their partners. Or, they may have done so because it was cool or they wanted to be part of something bigger than themselves. Unfortunately, these reasons may not be enough to keep you committed to veganism.
So, stop focusing on whether or not other people are vegan. And, don’t think about how veganism may help your social media profile. Instead, focus on your personal mission to be vegan. When you do this, it is much easier to find and reconcile with a form of veganism that is just right for you. As such, you will be a great deal more comfortable with your lifestyle.
These are just some of the details you can learn from reading about or talking to ex-vegans. Figure out where they went wrong and you can give yourself a better chance of becoming a healthy and happy vegan who genuinely enjoys their meat-free lifestyle.
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