I am having a hard time, looking for support.

[wildr0se2]

I figured I'd just make a new post instead of adding too much on my old venting one.

After six months, I violated my plant-based diet. Not by accident, but intentionally, and I feel ashamed. I have been struggling to not put so much pressure on myself to be a perfect vegan...that I did the exact opposite and went back to eating animal products. I had a psych ward stay too recently, and when I was upset, a staff member offered me a cupcake and I just ate it. So because of my mental health issues, which are not a solid excuse I know...I went back to vegetarian. Except now I am starting to regret it, because I can tell the dairy in what I ate today are slightly upsetting my stomach, given how I went without eating most animal products for a period of time.

I was trying to see if there were any stories of ex-vegans becoming vegetarian and I can't find anything. And I also don't want to live my life knowing I disregarded the animals and I feel a level of wrongness from incorporating just dairy and eggs.

I'm looking for any tips about what direction to go in. I know part of my spiraling was because I made my plant-based eating too restrictive, so maybe I can brainstorm what else I'd like to try and eat. I know in the vegan communities, sometimes there's a lot of discourse about vegetarians and please know that is not my intention here. I feel at home on this forum, so I have a good level of trust in the users here.

I hope everyone is well.

 

[1956]

I figured I'd just make a new post instead of adding too much on my old venting one.

After six months, I violated my plant-based diet. Not by accident, but intentionally, and I feel ashamed. I have been struggling to not put so much pressure on myself to be a perfect vegan...that I did the exact opposite and went back to eating animal products. I had a psych ward stay too recently, and when I was upset, a staff member offered me a cupcake and I just ate it. So because of my mental health issues, which are not a solid excuse I know...I went back to vegetarian. Except now I am starting to regret it, because I can tell the dairy in what I ate today are slightly upsetting my stomach, given how I went without eating most animal products for a period of time.

I was trying to see if there were any stories of ex-vegans becoming vegetarian and I can't find anything. And I also don't want to live my life knowing I disregarded the animals and I feel a level of wrongness from incorporating just dairy and eggs.

I'm looking for any tips about what direction to go in. I know part of my spiraling was because I made my plant-based eating too restrictive, so maybe I can brainstorm what else I'd like to try and eat. I know in the vegan communities, sometimes there's a lot of discourse about vegetarians and please know that is not my intention here. I feel at home on this forum, so I have a good level of trust in the users here.

I hope everyone is well.

Hello @wildr0se2

My concern for you at the moment is getting your mental health balanced so that you don’t need to go back into the psych ward…
Are you getting the adequate care and support that you need?

In nature food is fuel - it is what we need to survive… However, in our modern society ( wealthier ones anyway ) food has become how we Reward ourselves… In my view this has created Enormous problems…Eating disorders have become prevalent…
Personally I find it quite easy to eat Vegan because I eat simply whole foods - grains, fruits and veggies… Yes, I might occasionally treat myself to a Vegan Magnum bar or some Vegan chocolate, but I don’t feel like I am Missing out if something like that is not available… That is My mindset…
Dealing with mental health issues as you are, you might need some extra support…
It’s good that you have reached out for support here and I hope that you that you are also able to get some In person support…
All the best to you…

Edited to add that I too have mental health issues…
Most of my life I’ve lived with depression and anxiety which is not uncommon for someone who is Neurodivergent…
However since the death of my husband 12 years ago it’s become much worse…
Just would like you to know that although our circumstances may differ I do understand…

 

[shyvas]

MOD POST:

Terms & Rules

We do not provide medical advice. Information which includes sharing personal experiences or advise on this web site should never replace a doctor’s or other qualified clinician’s advice and recommendations. Patients should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing a health or fitness problem or disease. A doctor or other qualified clinician is the best resource to consult regarding what is best for medical conditions, for diagnosis, medical advice and treatment.