Going vegan is a growing trend, but some struggle to stick with it long-term. In this article, we’ll explore how many vegans abandon veganism and look at the possible reasons why.
Do vegans stay vegan?
Research shows that most vegans do stick with the diet long term. One survey found 84% of vegans stick with the diet for over a year. However, there are still many who ultimately quit being vegan.
One study surveyed over 11,000 Americans who had been vegetarian or vegan. After 5 years:
- 84% of vegans stuck with the diet
- 70% of vegetarians stuck with the diet
- Only 5% of former vegetarians/vegans adopted the diet again
So based on this, roughly 16% of vegans quit within 5 years. The percentage that abandon veganism long-term may be even higher.
Why do some vegans go back to eating meat?
There are a few common reasons why vegans start eating meat again:
Social challenges
Being vegan in a non-vegan world can be socially isolating. Attending meals with family or friends who aren’t vegan makes sticking to your ethics really hard. Constantly having to ask about ingredients or refuse food can damage relationships.
Nutrition concerns
Some ex-vegans say they started eating meat again over concerns about nutrition. Common concerns include:
- Low energy levels
- Brain fog
- Always feeling hungry
- Anemia or other nutrient deficiencies
While a balanced vegan diet can absolutely meet all nutrient needs, it does require knowledge and planning. Some find this too challenging long-term.
Craving meat
The smells and tastes we associate with comfort and joy as children often stick with us. For lifelong meat eaters, cravings can make sticking to veganism feel like deprivation. Even ethical vegans can find themselves fantasizing about meat after years without it.
Too restrictive
Some adopt veganism as part of a restrictive diet for weight loss or health reasons. But for many, an overly restrictive diet is ultimately not sustainable long term. Highly restrictive diets increase the chances you’ll eventually “relapse” and abandon it.
How many vegetarians revert back to eating meat?
Many people adopt vegetarianism as a transitional step before going fully vegan. But vegetarianism on its own has high abandonment rates.
In the same 5-year study of 11,000 vegetarians:
- Only 45% of vegetarians stuck with the diet
- 60% of female vegetarians abandoned the diet, compared to only 47% of males
So after 5 years, over half of vegetarians return to eating meat. Rates of vegetarians “lapsing” are even higher among young adults. Up to 75% abandon vegetarianism before age 34.
At what point do most vegans quit?
New vegans are most susceptible – one study found 84% of vegetarian/vegan dieters abandon it within a year. But the risk of lapsing remains high for several years.
Data shows vegans are most likely to quit:
- Within 1 year: 36% quit
- After 1-3 years: 30% more quit
- After 4-5 years: 20% more quit
So even dedicated ethical vegans can struggle after the 3-5 year mark. The minority who make it past this point tend to stick with veganism long term.
Do ex-vegans eat meat every day?
Not necessarily. While some ex-vegans return to eating meat daily, others adopt a flexitarian approach.
In one survey of ex-vegetarians:
- 35% said they now eat meat daily
- 45% said they eat meat occasionally, but not daily
So overall, about 80% of ex-vegetarians eat meat at least sometimes. But less than half eat it daily.
Why is the vegan retention rate so low?
There are a few key reasons why veganism sees such a high dropout rate:
Social pressure
Humans are social creatures. Rejecting food at social gatherings goes against millennia of evolved etiquette norms. The social strain over time wears many down.
Nutrition pitfalls
Planning a balanced vegan diet takes effort. It’s easy for some to become deficient without supplements or fortified foods. Side effects make the diet seem unsustainable.
Lack of support
Vegans report feeling a lack of social, family, and even healthcare provider support. This isolation increases the challenge exponentially.
Difficulty dining out
It’s gotten much easier to find vegan options in restaurants and stores. But there are still challenges, especially in certain geographic areas and cuisines.
Are there benefits to being temporarily vegan?
For those who abandon veganism, there can still be health benefits to eating vegan for even a short time. Research shows just a few weeks on a plant-based diet can:
- Lower heart disease risk by improving artery function
- Reduce inflammation markers linked to chronic disease
- Increase microbiome diversity for better gut health
Even just reducing your meat intake significantly while not going fully vegan can have benefits too.
Conclusion
Research suggests up to 75% of vegans and vegetarians abandon the diet after around 5 years. The first year is the hardest, but social and nutritional challenges continue in years 2-5.
While some ex-vegans go back to daily meat eating, many retain semi-vegetarian habits. And health improvements can stick even after stopping a vegan diet.
With proper planning and support, more vegans could potentially stick with the diet long term. But for many, part-time veganism may be the most sustainable option.
References
Haddad, E. H., & Tanzman, J. S. (2003). What do vegetarians in the United States eat?. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 78(3), 626S-632S.
Radnitz, C., Beezhold, B., & DiMatteo, J. (2015). Investigation of lifestyle choices of individuals following a vegan diet for health and ethical reasons. Appetite, 90, 31-36.
Vegetarianism in America. (2009). Vegetarian times, (208), 26-30.
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Barr, S. I., & Chapman, G. E. (2002). Perceptions and practices of self-defined current vegetarian and nonvegetarian women. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 102(3), 354-360.
Chin, M. G., Fisak, B., & Sims, V. K. (2002). Development of the attitudes toward vegetarians scale. Anthrozoös, 15(4), 332-342.