u/Boetterfly

Hey there, I am coming here because some online vegans left me feeling so frustrated. I do acknowlegde though, not all vegans are like this, some are lovely. But oh boy.... do the less lovely ones ruin it for everyone else!

I am just done with how some seem to lack empathy for humans. How they don´t seem to realize that not everyone can be vegan as easily and that knowing about the horrors of animal exploitation sometimes just isn´t enough for people to turn vegan. Veganism can be inconvenient, expensive, time consuming, and for some it is simply not possible either because of mental or physical health issues. Other than that, I just do not believe that a whole foods plant based diet is the most optimal diet for humans like some vegans claim. I do believe that this diet can have certain health benefits, but because it is just not the most practical diet to maintain long term and it does require supplementation I don´t think it is wise to advise the majority of the world population to be on it. Not to mention that excluding whole food groups, and including vegan replacements for these foods and supplements is a huge luxury and privilege for the majority of the world.

Fuck these narrow minded, privileged assholes. I never was anti vegan, but after these bad experiences I might be joining your ranks if only for a day.

Anyone here can relate?

Now, I know the dairy and egg industry are bad too. I still see them that way and try to make as many vegan choices as I can. I know veganism is the best way to go when it comes to ethics.

That being said, being fully vegan was causing me to have mental problems. As in, extreme anxiety, mental exhaustion and rumination. I think the mental load of checking a lot if something is vegan and planning meals can be too much at times and socially it can be difficult too since the world is not vegan. I also felt like I was spending so much more time on preparing food than ever before. It doesn´t help that I can´t batch cook or prepare large batches of ingredients beforehand currently.

I also was missing more easy, filling sources of protein and fat like dairy, eggs... something you can just grab and either immediately eat or prepare quickly without having to pay much attention to it.

As a vegetarian, most of these problems either go away or are greatly diminished. Socially, being veggie is way easier. I don´t have to worry about planning my meals and getting enough nutrients as much. Making quick, easy meals becomes easier. I am not checking labels or the ingredients on almost anything anymore. I am not worried constantly about if I am being ´vegan enough´ (to be able to fit in with the vegan community which can be quite toxic). Also, to be honest, I think I also enjoy eating more if I can include small amounts of dairy and eggs from time to time.

I might try to be vegan again some day, but I honestly don´t think I will because I just don´t see how I could be happy as a vegan currently whereas I can see myself happily be a vegetarian for the rest of my life.

Edit: I thought this was a vegetarian sub that supported vegetarianism. If I would have wanted to argue with vegans, I would have posted on r/vegan. Are posts that don´t support vegetarianism even allowed here by the moderators?