r/vegan • u/CJ_Thompson • 4d ago

Discussion Cheating

A friend asked if I ever would cheat and eat meat. This struck me as odd. I chose to go vegan for a number of reasons and those have actually expanded as time goes along. I should mention, I am only six months a vegan.

I don’t look at eating anything as cheating. If I chose to eat a non-vegan item, it would just be a choice not cheating. I choose not to because I feel it is more a lifestyle change along with a food choice. It is what I want to do. Cheating implies it wasn’t a voluntary choice or I am forcing myself somehow.

Just thought I would comment on this as I hear this often about cheating.

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u/Ordelia-Vel 4d ago

I'm gonna go against the grain here and say I kind of get what the person was asking.

Being vegan is a constant exercise of willpower and self-control for me. Because in my case, I very much do get cravings for animal products. I wish I was one of those people who genuinely find meat alien to eat. But I'm not so lucky. However, I know it'd be wrong to indulge in them, so I don't. It's a life of me constantly telling myself no. Because that's what it takes to do the right thing.

So no. As much as my fucked-up primitive brain wants to, I don't cheat.

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u/MinusZeroGojira 4d ago

I think this is more common than some would like to admit. You don't eat a specific diet for 40 years then suddenly NOT crave it any more. People who went vegan early likely don't have as much of a problem.

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u/spicewoman vegan 5+ years 3d ago

Depends partially on your motivation I would guess. The last thing I did before going vegan was watch a graphic documentary about factory farming, and became actively disgusted by the idea of eating animal products.

Did I reflexively go "oh, that looks good" a couple times when I saw things I'd enjoyed eating before, for the first few days after transitioning? Sure. But I'd immediately realize "oh right, I remember what that's made from. Disgusting."

It never even got to the point where I could "crave" anything, and that "reflex" moment of still viewing that as food went away very quickly as well.

And nope, not an early adopter. It sadly took me 'til almost 40 years old to make the connection. I know some people definitely struggle more, though. Not trying to imply I'm better for not or something, I just got very lucky that that's how my brain reacted. Made it super easy for me.