"I’ve Watched Vegans Come and Go for 30 Years. None of This Surprises Me"

From vegnews.com

By Marla Rose

Every time a high-profile vegan starts eating animal products again, the internet erupts. Here’s why I think we’re focusing on the wrong thing

Having been vegan since the Paleozoic era (or was it Precambrian?), let’s just say I’ve seen some things. Back in the early days, vegans were—at the risk of sounding self-righteous—a  scrappy bunch. When you weren’t able to duck into any ol’ restaurant and expect green Vs all over the menu, you didn’t take much for granted. We had one kind of ice cream, and it could best be described as “airy.” When national coffee chains started offering soy milk at an upcharge, even those of us who don’t like coffee danced in the streets (and we danced in the streets in leather-free shoes we had to order from catalogues. It was a time).

This is all to say that, yes, over this period, I’ve also seen some people, both regular folks and celebrities, joining and leaving the plant side. In 2024, musician Lizzo dropped veganism like a hot potato after four years of living as an herbivore. In recent weeks, I’ve also heard tell that Gaz Oakley, a high-profile recipe developer who has a big following, has also publicly defected.

Gaz Oakley | YouTube

Why vegans feel let down when celebrities quit veganism

Vegans are understandably disappointed when this happens, especially when people with huge followings and platforms abandon the cause. It stings. It is hurtful on a personal level because it can feel akin to a betrayal when we have supported their work and helped to amplify a creator’s message, but it’s worse when we think of how many of their fans are now getting the message that animals can be championed one day and deserted the next. I’m not sure how many people these famous folks actually influence to move toward plant-based diets long-term, nor how many also jump ship when a celebrity they follow does. But it can’t really help to shift things away from eating animals.

When people with high visibility ditch their veganism, we grieve for the animals, those who are here and those who will be born into misery, and will continue to not be factored into our ethical decision-making.

Further, when veganism is framed as a “diet” to be dabbled in, instead of what it is, which is a commitment to compassionate living for ethical reasons, that waters down the meaning. 

It is hard to see that happen. It’s painful to think about how much good, and how much harm, someone with prominence can mean for the animals with just a few casual words. For vegans, it’s about ethics, not a style that goes in and out of fashion. Especially when we have helped to promote individuals and support their work, it can feel like we were used and betrayed—even worse for the animals whose lives are suddenly reduced to “just food” again. 

Here’s where I shift, though.

Why some people leave veganism—and others stay

Having been vegan for over 30 years now, I have seen so many people come and go, from co-workers and friends to influencers and celebrities. This is why when I saw a TikTok of Lizzo characterizing her then-vegan diet a number of years ago as little more than a phase that she dips into and out of at different life stages, I knew this was not someone I expected to be in it for the long-term. It wasn’t more complicated than that for me; I just knew I shouldn’t get my hopes up.

The consistency I see from those who are committed vegans is not that it’s a flavour of the week—or even the year—but a deeply held, inner value that guides us. This is not tou judge either way but to say that unless someone shows that kind of conviction, I consider it temporary and am not surprised when they stray. I’ve seen it happen too many times to have unrealistic expectations. I do feel saddened, but I move on. 

With social media and message boards being what they are, it’s so easy to express understandable feelings of disappointment and hurt in the immediacy of the moment, but also in ways that are cruel, bigoted, and reflect poorly upon vegans, who are already often considered judgmental. Who knows how many people have their stereotypes of vegans reinforced by reading public comments that are rooted in body-shaming tropes, for example, misanthropic hate speech, or just plain insults? Also, who knows how many might be open to shifting toward veganism, but they see how much character assassination occurs when someone slips or fails at it?

People already feel vulnerable trying something new, something that is not the norm and takes some time to adapt to. But then when they see how much vitriol is directed at those who drop their veganism, and then perhaps overly identify with the person who’s being labelled a selfish, shallow, immoral hack, or worse—what is to get them to try?

Ksenia Chernaya | Pexels

Why compassion matters even when someone leaves veganism

In these moments, we have opportunities as ambassadors. We can correct myths, for example, about getting enough protein or veganism being full of “processed” ingredients—without trashing a person’s whole character. Because so many of these conversations happen in the comments sections of the internet, it’s there we can share a bit of how we personally overcame challenges in our transition to veganism, add historical context to the idea that veganism is just one of many diets, and perhaps post links that are factual and helpful. We don’t all have one voice, and I don’t think there is one “right” way to be an advocate, though. So I think leaning into your communication strengths—for example, humour, storytelling, or logic—is the best route. Remember, you’re not necessarily speaking to the former vegan in these instances but to the many more observers.  

If this happens to be someone you know in person and not a celebrity, unless you have other reasons for doing so, reconsider telling them off or cutting them out of your life. I can personally vouch that at least a dozen people who deeply disappointed me by ditching veganism found their way back in, so I am glad I didn’t slam the door on them. Some are passionate vegans today and have been for years, but they experienced a hiccup they needed to work through. If you can be there for them then—helpful but not demanding—you will gain some trust. 

We need to not treat veganism like it’s a club or a cult. It does nothing to help the animals when we shrink to include only a small, trusted bubble.

In the early days, when things were challenging or went sideways, we knew that we could only count on ourselves to maintain our vegan values. Really, it is not much different today. Disappointment is understandable and justifiable when people you expected better of start eating animals again.

But if you keep your focus on what you personally can control, which is your own vegan standards and your ability to act as an advocate, you’ll weather the vicissitudes of other people’s choices with a lot less turbulence. It doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you’re prioritizing what is effective, which is focusing on your own vegan practice and messaging. 

https://vegnews.com/when-vegans-quit-being-vegan