From Vegan Advocate to Flexitarian
In 2008, comedian and television host Ellen DeGeneres publicly embraced a vegan lifestyle, a decision driven by her concern for animal welfare. For years, she was one of the most visible celebrity proponents of veganism, frequently discussing the benefits of a plant-based diet and promoting animal rights. Her website featured a "Going Vegan with Ellen" section, and she consistently used her platform to raise awareness about factory farming and other animal cruelty issues. She even served as an ambassador for Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey project.
However, in her 2018 Netflix comedy special, Relatable, DeGeneres revealed that she had stopped following a strict vegan diet. She explained that for the past year or two, she had started eating fish and eggs again, though she primarily still eats plant-based meals. This admission came as a surprise to many fans who had followed her vegan journey and saw her as a leading figure in the movement.
The Shift Away from Strict Veganism
DeGeneres's change in dietary habits appears to have been a gradual one, not a dramatic break from her principles. The reasons, as she explained, were not particularly profound but rather evolved over time. This shift highlights a common challenge many people face when committing to a completely vegan lifestyle indefinitely. While she found the diet beneficial for her health, the practicality of maintaining it became less of a priority, particularly for someone with a demanding schedule.
This transition from a full-time vegan to a more flexitarian approach is a path many people take. It allows them to retain the core tenets of their plant-based diet while granting themselves occasional exceptions for specific foods. For DeGeneres, this meant sometimes having fish or eggs from chickens she knew were treated humanely. This personal choice, while disappointing for some in the vegan community who favor a rigid standard, also offers a more accessible model of animal advocacy. It suggests that advocating for animals can take many forms and doesn't always require perfection.
Continued Animal Advocacy
Despite no longer being a strict vegan, DeGeneres has continued her long-standing commitment to animal rights and conservation. In fact, her advocacy has broadened beyond just diet. In 2018, her wife Portia de Rossi established The Ellen Fund as a 60th birthday gift, which supports global conservation efforts for endangered species, including gorillas. DeGeneres has also continued to use her public platform to encourage her millions of followers to eat less meat for the health of the planet, animals, and themselves.
Ellen's Advocacy Evolution
- Vegan Diet (2008-2018): Became a prominent vegan advocate for ethical reasons, promoting plant-based diets on her show and website.
- Dietary Shift (2018): Revealed on Netflix's Relatable that she had begun eating fish and eggs, while still maintaining a mostly plant-based diet.
- Wider Conservation Focus: Expanded her animal welfare efforts to include global conservation through The Ellen Fund, which was created in her honor.
- Ongoing Public Messaging: Continues to encourage people to reduce their meat consumption, highlighting environmental and health benefits.
Veganism vs. Flexitarianism: A Comparison
| Feature | Strict Veganism | Ellen DeGeneres's Current Approach (Flexitarian/Mostly Plant-Based) |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary Rules | Eliminates all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. | Primarily plant-based, but occasionally includes fish and eggs. |
| Ethical Stance | Based on the complete rejection of animal exploitation for food, clothing, or other purposes. | Strong animal welfare advocate, focusing on reducing animal product consumption and supporting conservation efforts. |
| Dietary Flexibility | Extremely strict and requires careful label-reading and ingredient awareness. | Allows for some flexibility, acknowledging that an all-or-nothing approach doesn't work for everyone. |
| Health Focus | Often motivated by and associated with significant health benefits. | Enjoys the health benefits of a mostly plant-based diet while adapting for personal reasons. |
| Public Perception | Seen as a purist in the animal rights community, which can sometimes be polarizing. | Offers a more approachable model of imperfect plant-based eating, which may be more appealing to the broader public. |
Conclusion: More than Just a Diet
Ellen DeGeneres's dietary journey demonstrates that personal convictions and practices can evolve over time. While she is no longer a strict vegan, her commitment to animal welfare remains steadfast, as evidenced by her advocacy and philanthropic work through The Ellen Fund. Her transition highlights the different ways individuals can approach animal advocacy, proving that even a less-than-perfect plant-based diet can contribute positively to a compassionate lifestyle. For many, DeGeneres's current approach—being mindful of consumption without being dogmatic—is a more relatable and achievable path toward a more compassionate way of living.
For more information on Ellen's life and work, the Wikipedia page for her is a good resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_DeGeneres.
