Why Do Vegan People Decide to Stop Eating Animals? Exploring the Real Reasons

A 2014 study by Faunalytics noted that a significant portion of plant-based dieters ultimately return to consuming animal products, leading many to ask: why do vegan people decide to stop eating animals? The journey away from veganism is often paved with complex health challenges, overwhelming social pressures, and undeniable physiological cravings.

Quick Summary

Many vegans ultimately reintroduce animal products due to various health problems from nutrient deficiencies, struggles with social settings, and powerful food cravings.

Key Points

• Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of proper planning can lead to insufficient B12, iron, and other vital nutrients, causing fatigue and health issues.

• Social Strain: Dealing with unsupportive friends, family, and difficult dining-out situations contributes to high stress.

• Unmet Cravings: Many ex-vegans cite persistent cravings for certain textures and flavors that plant-based alternatives couldn't satisfy.

• Health Complications: Some individuals experience chronic health problems, such as digestive issues or low energy, that resolve after reintroducing animal products.

• Ethical Re-evaluation: For some, a deeper understanding of food systems, like regenerative farming, alters their ethical stance on animal consumption.

The decision to abandon a vegan lifestyle is rarely a simple one. For those who commit to this path for ethical, environmental, or health reasons, the choice to return to consuming animal products is often preceded by a long period of internal conflict and struggle. While the reasons are highly individual, recurring themes emerge from the experiences of former vegans, highlighting the complex interplay of physical, social, and psychological factors. These are not failures of morality, but rather responses to the significant challenges that maintaining a strict dietary regimen in a non-vegan world presents.

Health and Nutritional Deficiencies

Many individuals initially adopt a vegan diet for perceived health benefits, but for some, the reverse becomes true. A poorly planned or long-term vegan diet can lead to health complications that make reintroducing animal products a necessary step.

The Challenge of Micronutrients

Certain key nutrients are more bioavailable or abundant in animal products, and without careful planning and supplementation, deficiencies can occur. Former vegans often report persistent fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, and other vague symptoms that are ultimately linked to nutritional gaps. Common deficiencies include:

• Vitamin B12: Found naturally only in animal products, B12 deficiency can lead to anemia, nerve damage, and severe fatigue if not properly supplemented.
• Iron: Heme iron, from animal sources, is more easily absorbed than non-heme iron from plants. Low iron can result in fatigue and weakened immune function.
• Vitamin D: While many vegan foods are fortified, natural sources like fatty fish remain a significant source of this vitamin crucial for bone health.
• Zinc: The bioavailability of zinc from plant sources can be poor, and deficiency can impact immunity and skin health.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Plant sources primarily provide ALA, while direct sources of EPA and DHA (found in fish) are vital for cognitive and cardiovascular health.

Inadequate Protein and Amino Acids

While plants offer protein, they often lack one or more of the essential amino acids required by the body. Without careful meal planning to combine different plant proteins, it can be challenging to meet the body's needs. Some former vegans find that animal proteins, which are complete, provide better satiety and more consistent energy levels.

Social and Psychological Factors

Beyond nutrition, the social and psychological toll of a vegan lifestyle can be immense and often underestimated.

Navigating Social Pressure

Vegans often face criticism and a lack of understanding from friends, family, and even strangers. Dealing with these social pressures can be emotionally draining and isolating. Holiday meals, celebrations, and dining out become stressful events requiring constant explanation or defense. This constant friction can wear down even the most committed individual.

Managing Cravings and Satiety

Despite ethical resolve, many former vegans confess to persistent and undeniable cravings for animal products. The specific textures and deep, savory 'umami' flavors of meat and dairy are often difficult to replicate and satisfy with plant-based alternatives. Some report feeling constantly hungry or bloated from the volume of food required to feel full on a plant-based diet.

The Allure of Simplicity

For some, the complexity of a vegan lifestyle becomes overwhelming. Planning meals to ensure adequate nutrition, seeking out specific products, and navigating menus add a significant mental load. The decision to return to an omnivorous diet can be driven by a simple desire for ease and freedom from this mental burden.

Re-evaluating Ethics and Ideology

While many adopt veganism for animal ethics, some later find that their understanding evolves or changes entirely.

Shifting Ethical Perspectives

Some individuals have become disillusioned with industrial agriculture but later discover regenerative farming practices, which they view as a more ethical and sustainable way of life that includes animals. For others, the rigidity of veganism and the constant need to police consumption can feel at odds with a more holistic view of environmentalism and food systems.

The Experience of Returning to Meat

Reintroducing animal products is a process that can cause some initial discomfort. The digestive system, after adapting to a high-fiber plant-based diet, may need time to adjust to the higher fat and protein content of meat. However, many report a significant improvement in energy levels, mental clarity, and overall well-being in the long run.

Vegan vs. Omnivore: A Comparison of Lived Experience

Aspect	Common Vegan Challenges	Common Omnivore Reliefs
Health & Nutrition	Careful planning required to avoid deficiencies; risk of B12, iron, and Omega-3 deficiency; potential fatigue or digestive issues.	Easier nutrient intake, especially B12, iron, and complete proteins; potential for increased energy levels.
Social Life	Navigating criticism and misunderstandings; limited options when dining out; potential for feeling isolated.	Simpler dining experiences; less social friction with family and friends; greater food freedom.
Cost & Convenience	Can be more expensive to buy processed vegan substitutes; requires more meal prep and label reading.	Often more accessible and affordable options, especially in standard grocery stores and restaurants.
Ethical & Psychological	Potential for mental stress and rigidity; constant re-evaluation of choices; managing cravings and satiety.	Less mental burden regarding food choices; ability to support different farming methods; resolution of unresolved cravings.

Conclusion: No Single Reason

Ultimately, there is no single reason why vegan people decide to stop eating animals, but rather a combination of factors unique to each individual's circumstances. The transition away from veganism is a deeply personal choice influenced by health needs, social dynamics, and psychological well-being. Understanding these complex reasons requires moving past judgment and recognizing the nuanced challenges that can arise from a well-intentioned and committed dietary path. It is a journey of self-discovery, prioritizing personal health and happiness above strict adherence to an ideology.

For more insights into what to expect when reintroducing animal products, you can explore reputable sources like EatingWell: What Dietitians Say to Expect When You Eat Meat Again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do most vegans eventually stop eating animals?

While some studies suggest high recidivism rates for people on plant-based diets, ethical vegans tend to be more committed and stable, so the statistics are often debated and can be misleading.

What are the most common health reasons for ex-vegans?

Common health issues include fatigue from B12 or iron deficiencies, digestive problems, and a general feeling of poor health despite careful planning. These issues often improve upon reintroducing animal products.

Can you reintroduce meat without getting sick?

To minimize digestive upset, start slowly with small portions of easily digestible options like white meat or fish. Your digestive system will need time to re-adapt to digesting animal products.

Is it harder for ethical vegans to quit?

Yes, research indicates that individuals who adopt veganism for ethical reasons, as opposed to solely for health, are often more steadfast in their commitment and less likely to quit.

How do vegans handle social pressure from family?

Vegans often navigate social pressure by communicating their needs in advance, bringing their own delicious dishes to share, and setting clear boundaries in conversation.

Is a vegan diet automatically healthy?

No, a vegan diet is not inherently healthy. A diet heavy in processed vegan junk food, sugar, and fat can be unhealthy and lead to nutritional problems, much like any other poor diet.

Do people who quit veganism feel healthier afterward?

Many former vegans report increased energy levels, improved mental clarity, and the resolution of specific health complaints after reintroducing animal products, citing better iron and B12 absorption.