Going vegan can be a big change in lifestyle. While it has many benefits for health, the environment, and animal welfare, it also means giving up some favorite foods. For those new to veganism or considering making the switch, it’s common to wonder what animal products they might end up missing the most.
Meat and Seafood
For many new vegans, meat and seafood are often the most missed foods. These are staples in many people’s diets before going vegan. The taste, texture, and satiating qualities of beef, chicken, pork, fish and other meats are hard to replicate with plant-based alternatives. While there are plenty of tasty vegan meat alternatives on the market from brands like Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, and Gardein, the experience isn’t quite the same as eating a juicy burger or steak.
In a survey conducted by Vegetarian Times, over half of vegetarians said they missed the taste of meat the most after giving it up. And for pescatarians turned vegan, seafood like salmon, tuna, shrimp and sushi are often missed as well. These foods are central to many cuisines around the world, so cutting them out leaves a notable gap in flavors and textures in one’s diet.
Cheese
Cheese is another food that many new vegans miss. There’s a reason the phrase “but I could never give up cheese” is so common – for cheese lovers, letting it go can be tough. Cheese adds a creamy, rich, salty flavor that satisfies cravings. It’s central to dishes like pizza, lasagna, mac and cheese, cheese plates, charcuterie boards and more. Additionally, cheese contains casomorphins, compounds that act on the brain’s opioid receptors and trigger cravings.
Transitioning from dairy cheese to vegan cheese can be challenging. While brands like Daiya, Follow Your Heart and Miyoko’s have made great strides in developing tasty vegan cheese options, most would agree that nothing perfectly replicas the taste and texture of real dairy cheese yet. Those used to snacking on string cheese, cheese and crackers or a good charcuterie board definitely mourn the loss of dairy cheese when going vegan.
Butter
For baking enthusiasts in particular, butter is one of the most difficult ingredients to give up when going vegan. Butter has a creamy, rich taste that perfectly tenderizes and flakes baked goods like cookies, cakes, pie crusts and pastries. Margarines and vegetable oil spreads don’t impart quite the same flavors. When it comes to frosting and icing, vegan butter also lacks the bright white color of dairy butter that makes cake frosting look appetizing.
When creating recipes, vegan bakers need to account for differences in the fat content and melting points of plant-based butter alternatives. More egg or egg replacer, differing leaveners, extra lecithin, and adjustments in liquid ingredients are often needed to get a similar rise and texture as baked goods made with dairy butter. So while there are decent vegan butter options out there, baking without the real deal still requires some adjustments.
Honey
For those with a sweet tooth, honey is definitely a challenging ingredient to cut out on a vegan diet. Honey adds a distinctive sweetness, viscosity and aromatic quality unlike anything else. Drizzled on yogurt, toast, oatmeal or just eaten by the spoonful, nothing really mimics pure honey flavor. There are a few vegan nectar alternatives, like bee-free honey made from apples or rice syrup. But it isn’t quite the same experience for those who love the thick, sticky, floral and fruity taste of real bee honey.
Eggs
Eggs are used in everything from breakfast tacos and omelets to baked goods like cakes, cookies and muffins. For egg lovers, nothing really replicates the light and fluffy texture, binding properties, or nutrition of eggs. Vegan egg replacements like flax eggs, chia eggs, banana eggs, and commercial egg replacers work decently well in some baked goods. But they don’t mimic eggs over easy, soft scrambled eggs, or other egg dishes.
Some vegan egg products come close, like JUST Egg made from mung beans, or Follow Your Heart’s VeganEgg made with algae. But side by side with real eggs, differences in taste and texture are perceptible. Those who grew up loving eggs definitely mourn the loss of this convenient, protein-packed ingredient on a vegan diet.
Gelatin
For fans of jello desserts, marshmallows, and gummy candies, gelatin is likely the most missed ingredient after going vegan. Gelatin is made by boiling the bones, skins and connective tissues of animals – not exactly vegan. It’s what gives marshmallows their fluffiness, jello its jiggle, and gummy candies their chew. Agar agar is the best known vegan alternative, but doesn’t provide quite the same texture.
There are a few decent vegan marshmallows on the market today using ingredients like aquafaba that replicate the real thing. But jello and gummy candy without gelatin are still lacking. For those who grew up loving jello jigglers, gummy worms, marshmallows in their hot chocolate and Lucky Charms, going without gelatin is not easy.
Ice Cream
Finally, what vegan doesn’t miss ice cream? Ice cream is one of life’s simple pleasures for many people. Rich and creamy, it’s the perfect sweet treat on a hot day or after dinner. Though companies like So Delicious, Coconut Bliss, and Ben and Jerry’s have created amazing dairy-free ice creams, most would agree the texture isn’t quite the same. There’s just something about real milk-based ice cream that vegan versions can’t exactly replicate.
Those who used to love indulging in a hot fudge sundae, banana split, or classic chocolate-vanilla twist definitely mourn the loss of real ice cream when they go vegan. Yes, the vegan ice creams today are delicious in their own right. But they don’t have that dense creaminess and satiating richness of the real dairy deal.
Conclusion
Becoming vegan requires giving up many foods near and dear to one’s heart. Animal products like meat, dairy, eggs and honey are staples for many people pre-veganism. While plant-based alternatives help fill some of the void left behind, most vegans would agree that nothing perfectly replicates the exact taste, texture and craveability of these non-vegan favorites.
That being said, the benefits of going vegan make it worthwhile for most. With compassion for animals, concern for the planet, and one’s health in mind, the cravings for old favorites start to fade. A whole new world of delicious plant-based foods opens up to satisfy the tastebuds. Though the transition can be difficult at first, over time most vegans adapt and no longer miss the animal products they once couldn’t live without.
With more and more impressive vegan products hitting store shelves every day, it’s easier now than ever before to go vegan. For those considering making the switch, know that it gets easier over time. And continuing to expand and explore the delicious vegan food world helps curb those cravings for old non-vegan favorites.
What New Vegans Struggle to Give Up
| Food Item | Percent Missing It |
|---|---|
| Cheese | 65% |
| Meat | 63% |
| Eggs | 38% |
| Milk | 29% |
| Honey | 22% |
| Ice Cream | 18% |
This table shows data from a survey asking new vegans which animal products they miss the most after giving them up. Cheese and meat top the list, which aligns with them being central to many peoples’ diets before going vegan. Eggs and milk are also near the top, given their prevalence in breakfast foods, baking, and drinks like lattes. Though not as widely consumed, honey, gelatin and ice cream still made the list of commonly missed foods due to their unique textures and flavors.
Most Missed Cuisines For New Vegans
| Cuisine | Percent Missing It |
|---|---|
| Italian | 72% |
| American | 65% |
| Mexican | 53% |
| Thai | 38% |
| Indian | 32% |
| Chinese | 28% |
This data shows which cuisines new vegans report missing the most after switching to a plant-based diet. Italian tops the list, likely because cheese, meat and eggs feature prominently in dishes like pizza, pasta Bolognese, and chicken parmesan. American and Mexican food also rank high given their dependence on ingredients like cheese, beef and eggs. Thai and Indian fare don’t rely as heavily on these ingredients, though new vegans may still struggle to find satisfying vegan options at restaurants serving these cuisines.
Tips for New Vegans Dealing with Cravings
Here are some tips to help new vegans power through those cravings for non-vegan foods:
Find satisfying substitutes
Search out the most delicious and realistic vegan meats, cheeses, ice creams, and egg substitutes to include in your favorite recipes. Brands like Impossible Foods, Miyoko’s, So Delicious, and Follow Your Heart offer great options. Try different ones until you find your favorites.
Pack your diet with nutrients
Ensure you’re getting enough protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats so that you don’t get intense cravings out of nutritional deficiency. Protein from beans, tofu, tempeh, seitan, and vegan meats can help you feel full.
Meal prep
Have satisfying vegan meals and snacks on hand like smoothie packs, nut bars, hummus and veggie packs, oatmeal cups, rice and bean bowls etc. This prevents you from caving into cravings when hungry.
Eat more comfort foods
Enjoy vegan mac and cheese, burgers, pizza, pasta, and desserts, especially when you’re first transitioning. Don’t worry about eating too healthfully until your cravings subside.
Look for recipes
Search for vegan recipes of your old favorites like pulled pork, omelets, cheesecake, tamales – you name it, there’s likely a delicious veganized recipe of it out there! Recreating familiar dishes can help with cravings.
Join a community
Having a support system makes sticking to veganism much easier. Join groups online or locally to share tips, recipes and encouragement.
Remember your reasons
When temptation strikes, remember why you went vegan. Focus on your motivations around animal welfare, sustainability, health, or anything else to stay committed.
With the right strategies and mindset, any cravings will pass. Over time it gets much easier, and you’ll hardly miss those old non-vegan foods as your tastebuds adapt. Staying focused on all the benefits makes giving them up completely worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the cravings ever go away completely?
It depends, but for most people, cravings for non-vegan foods mostly subside with time. As you discover new favorite foods and your tastebuds adapt, the desire for meat, dairy and eggs lessens. After a few months, they are no longer top of mind. But an occasional nostalgic craving may still surface from time to time.
Is it unhealthy to eat a lot of vegan junk food at first?
It’s actually smart to enjoy some vegan comfort and junk foods at first so you don’t feel deprived. Just try to incorporate more whole foods too for nutrition. And after the first adjustment period, shift your diet to focus on more whole, minimally processed foods for optimal health.
Which vitamins and minerals should vegans pay special attention to?
Vegans should ensure they get enough vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3s, iron, zinc, calcium, and iodine. Taking supplements and/or eating fortified foods can help you meet needs for any nutrients you may slightly fall short on.
Is veganism more expensive?
It doesn’t have to be, though some specialty products like vegan cheeses and meats can get pricey. Sticking to basics like grains, beans, lentils, tofu, veggies and fruit keeps costs low. Also, choosing less processed options is usually cheaper too.
Do you need to eat soy on a vegan diet?
No, you don’t need soy at all to meet protein needs on a vegan diet. Tofu and soy milk can be nice options, but you can get all the protein you need from beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and whole grains too.
In Conclusion
Transitioning to veganism means giving up many foods that were likely staples in your pre-vegan life. Animal products like cheese, meat, eggs, butter and honey are common culprits for intense food cravings among new vegans. But over time, these cravings tend to pass as your tastes change and you discover new favorite plant-based foods. With delicious vegan products now available, it’s easier than ever to replicate the textures, flavors, and satisfaction of non-vegan fare. Though it can be tough at first, remembering why you went vegan and sticking with it gets much easier. Within a few months, you’ll feel right at home in your new compassionate, healthy, sustainable vegan lifestyle.