The Best and Worst Unintended Results of Being Vegan

Life is full of surprises, and veganism is no exception.

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

When you go vegan, you expect a few things - more veggies, scrutinizing ingredient lists, and endless protein questions. But it’s the unexpected twists - the perks, pitfalls, and oddball moments - that make the journey unforgettable.

Some celebrate the alignment with their values, health benefits, and culinary discoveries. Others grapple with social hurdles, indifference toward animal welfare, and the occasional travel nightmare. Then there are the quirky wins: better waste management, stumbling into hidden food gems, or realizing just how much dairy was holding your digestion hostage.

Let’s explore some of the best (and worst) unintended consequences of embracing a plant-based life.

---

🟡 The Many Shades of Veganism

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here’s a snapshot of the diverse experiences within the vegan world:

• The Ethical Vegan: Fueled by a deep belief in animal rights, they take comfort in living a life free from exploitation - while simultaneously battling the frustration of apathy from others.

• The Health-Conscious Vegan: Initially drawn in by promises of weight loss and longevity, they’re often surprised by unexpected perks like better sleep, glowing skin, and an energy boost.

• The Foodie Vegan: They see veganism as a culinary adventure, reveling in plant-based creativity. Their kitchen is an R&D lab for the next great dairy-free masterpiece.

• The Social Vegan: They love the lifestyle but struggle with the social minefield - family gatherings, work lunches, and the dreaded "What do you eat?" interrogations.

• The Activist Vegan: Advocacy is their middle name. Whether through education, protests, or social media, they’re here to challenge the status quo.

• The Reluctant Vegan: They believe in the ethics but miss the convenience. They battle moments of frustration, social isolation, and the occasional wistful glance at a non-vegan bakery display.

• The Experienced Vegan: They’ve seen it all - the debates, the trends, the new wave of plant-based options. They offer wisdom, resilience, and a well-honed eye-roll for outdated misconceptions.

---

🟡 Crash Course

Going vegan is an education in itself. You’ll brush up on health, psychology, economics, and even sociology. Here are some key terms you’ll encounter along the way:

• Carnism: The ideology that normalizes eating animals.

• Cognitive Dissonance: That mental tug-of-war when actions don’t align with values.

• Omnivore: Someone who eats both plants and animals. (They exist. We checked.)

• Plant-Based: A diet focused on plants but not necessarily avoiding all animal products for ethical reasons.

• Vegan Tax: When vegan plant-based options cost more because… capitalism.

• Veganism: A lifestyle that aims to exclude all forms of animal exploitation.

---

🟡 The Vegan Timeline