The rise of veganism has been undeniable, with an increasing number of people embracing a plant-based lifestyle due to ethical, environmental, or health reasons. Yet, parallel to this growth, there’s a lesser-discussed phenomenon: ex-vegans – individuals who, after some time, return to consuming animal products.
How many of us have recently come across YouTube videos, podcasts, and articles on and by ex-vegans? After a wave of vegan converts sweeping the world, it’s now clear that not everyone who chooses the plant-based path will stay on it. And the exodus isn’t limited to the online world: many of us personally know someone who is no longer vegan.
These ex-vegans often face judgment or misunderstanding, but their stories offer valuable insights into the complexities of dietary change and the challenges of maintaining a vegan lifestyle in a non-vegan world. So, why do some people stop being vegan, and what can we learn from their experiences?
What makes people stop being vegan? Real stories from ex-vegans
For many, the journey away from veganism isn’t a sudden decision but a gradual shift, often prompted by a mix of factors. The personal stories of those who’ve made this transition shed light on some common hurdles.
Sarah, 39, from Birmingham, recalls a conversation with a vegan friend who began to reintroduce animal products.
‘It was disappointing,’ Sarah says. ‘I reminded her of the ethical component, of why we all started on this journey – because we deem ethics more important than convenience. But she is still an omnivore today, claiming that there were flavours she missed too much.’
This friend’s journey back started simply: a pack of non-vegan snacks bought because her local supermarket lacked plant-based options.
For Alex, 35, from London, the experience hits even closer to home: ‘My older sister and I went vegan together. We had many conversations about it. Then, one day, she was eating fish and eggs again.
‘I never talked to her about it, as I don’t have anything positive to say, really. But I felt hugely let down, and still do. I thought we had both come to the same ethical conclusions. But here she was, going back on her morals.’
Photo © motortion/Adobe StockMissing favourite foods
And it appears that missing certain foods may be a common stumbling block for many ex-vegans. Gemma, 58, from Hertfordshire, and her husband went vegan for ethical and philosophical reasons, lasting three years. ‘We started missing omelettes, fish, grilled chicken, cheese and all those different textures and flavours,’ Gemma shares.
‘When we were in Spain over Christmas, we made one exception – and it felt so good that we decided to move away from veganism. We are now back to being pescatarian, choosing free range and organic where possible.’
Quitting veganism for health
Beyond convenience or missing flavours, some ex-vegans cite health as their primary reason for change. Laura, 36, from Brighton, had mild polycystic ovary syndrome after coming off the contraceptive pill and found that her new lifestyle wasn’t working with her menstrual cycle. Due to her PCOS, her periods had almost completely disappeared and were very painful, prompting her to seek alternative healthcare help.
‘I was never that fussed about meat, so I decided to go vegetarian. Then, after spending time on yoga retreats and with communities who were choosing veganism, I decided to give it a try. I did so after learning more about the treatment of animals and wanted to do my bit to reduce consumption,’ Laura explains.
‘But I realised that I became a vegan for reasons that didn’t take my own health and wellbeing into account.’
After a nutritionist read her blood tests and an acupuncturist suggested a traditional Chinese medicine approach, Laura reintroduced eggs and then meat into her diet to support her health.
Are more people quitting veganism?
The narratives of ex-vegans are increasingly visible, particularly online, leading some to believe that there’s a mass exodus from plant-based diets. But in reality, how many people are actually quitting veganism? When taking a closer look, it becomes clear that the clickbait headlines might be blown out of proportion.
A frequently quoted statistic claims that 84 per cent of vegans abandon the diet. However, this stems from a decade-old study by Faunalytics, which was carried out in the US, on American participants. Crucially, this study mainly focused on those trying a plant-based diet, with many respondents discontinuing within the first months or year.
It’s possible that those people were never planning on committing to going vegan and hadn’t considered the non-food aspects of veganism. It can be argued whether those people ever identified as vegan at all.
The Vegan Society supports this perspective. Maisie Stedman, the organisation’s Media and PR Officer, explains: ‘Whilst there have been recent reports in the press of decreases in plant-based sales and vegan restaurants closing down, interest in veganism continues to grow.
‘The latest figures from Food & You 2 show that the number of vegans in the UK continues to increase, with the current estimate sitting at around 1.5 per cent of the population, or 900,000 people. Here at The Vegan Society, our membership numbers continue to grow.”
How do we prevent ex-vegans?
As some new vegans do struggle with health concerns or other challenges, what can we as a movement do to promote sustainable practices within veganism and help prevent people from becoming ex-vegans? Maisie Stedman from The Vegan Society offers valuable advice on how to go vegan sustainably:
1. Encourage a balanced diet
‘It is essential that a vegan diet is well-planned to ensure you are consuming a balanced range of micro- and macro-nutrients,’ Stedman asserts.
‘We encourage those starting out on their vegan journey to read up on how to best consume all the nutrients they need on a vegan diet, rather than following any specific plant-based eating trends, and to adapt to the lifestyle at their own pace.’
2. Allow for ‘baby steps’
Some people poke fun at those who are gradually moving towards veganism via Meat Free Mondays, vegetarianism or similar lifestyle changes.
However, a slow transition can be crucial. Often, new vegans go fully vegan overnight, without necessarily having all the information. This sudden change, particularly coupled with misunderstandings around proper nutrition, can have unexpected effects on their bodies.
For many people, a gradual introduction to veganism is more comfortable, easier to maintain long-term, and has the added benefit of preventing food waste, as the individuals can use up the non-vegan food they already have in their homes.
3. Steer clear of restrictive fad diets
Fad diets, such as raw, low-carb and others, might in theory be plant-based, but they don’t stem from ethical concerns and so are not indicative or typical of being vegan.
Health issues deriving from those diets might never have occurred had the person been following a more varied, less restricted vegan lifestyle.
4. Understand vegan meat alternatives
Vegan meat alternatives are often demonised as ultra-processed foods, and are commonly cited as a reason for ex-vegans returning to animal products. Nutritionally, it’s true that some faux meats may be less ‘healthy’ than certain unprocessed meat products. However, a plant-based diet doesn’t mean always swapping ‘clean’ meat products for ultra-processed alternatives.
In reality, when processed foods are eaten in moderation rather than forming the basis of the diet, vegans are still likely to have a healthier overall diet than omnivores.
Stedman explains: ‘Research currently suggests that vegan alternatives, even when ultra-processed, are on average healthier than ultra-processed foods that contain animal products.’
It’s also important to remember that the basic cornerstones of a truly healthy vegan diet are legumes, fruits, vegetables, and grains.
‘Vegan alternative products can be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced vegan diet containing a variety of whole plant foods, such as beans, lentils, whole grains, fruit and vegetables,’ says Stedman.
She’s also quick to remind us how helpful plant-based sausages and nuggets can be for new vegans: ‘Alternative products can also be a helpful stepping stone for people moving towards a vegan diet or aiming to reduce their intake of animal protein, which has several known health benefits.’
5. Offer guidance, not criticism
For old school vegans, pointing newbies in the direction of support networks such as Challenge 22 can prove to be helpful. It’s equally important to listen to their concerns rather than dismissing them as ‘never really vegan’ or berating them for ‘doing it wrong’.
Access to health professionals who understand a healthy vegan lifestyle is also key. In a non-vegan world, choosing to go against the grain isn’t always simple, so support from within the community often makes the crucial difference.
A healthy balance of plant-based foods, including tasty treat foods, is essential for sustaining a vegan lifestyle. Photo © Jenifoto/Adobe Stock
Final thoughts on preventing ex-vegansMaisie Stedman concludes by reminding us that going vegan is more than just changing what’s on your plate. ‘Rather than simply eliminating animal products from the diet, veganism is a compassion-based lifestyle that rejects the notion that animals are commodities.
‘We encourage people to continue to educate themselves on the different aspects of a vegan lifestyle and the benefits of their choices for animals, the planet and their own health.’
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