A 2024 study published in Frontiers in Psychology examined the reasons why vegetarians and prospective vegans, who attempt to avoid meat for the same reasons vegans do, do not go completely vegan. Researchers found three primary mental blocks that keep them from this dietary transition.
Here are three psychological reasons why people avoid veganism, according to the study.
1. The Knowledge Gap Of Dietary Consequences
Researchers found that there is a significant knowledge gap between vegans and non-vegans which leads to different mental perceptions of the impact of their diet on their health, animal and environmental welfare, including knowledge about nutrition, one’s ecological footprint, climate change or the present condition of the animal industry.
“Vegetarians valuate the animal industry significantly less negatively than vegans and prospective vegans. Moreover, vegetarians generally possess less correct information about the animal industry—as, for example, indicated by the fact that a third of the vegetarians were not aware that their dietary choices still lead to the death of animals,” the researchers explain.
Researchers also found that vegans tend to invest more time into learning objectively about diet and animal-related issues compared to non-vegans. They also rely more on reputable, scientific studies for this information than others do.
This knowledge gap is a key factor keeping vegetarians and prospective vegans from making the transition, as vegans are usually driven to sustain their diet by seeking out such deeper, often uncomfortable knowledge.
Researchers also suggest that since gaining “vegan literacy” can create a cognitive dissonance or inner conflict about one’s dietary choices, many individuals actively avoid gaining more knowledge about these issues or repress what they know. Becoming vegan would involve confronting these truths at both a cognitive and emotional level.
“Vegetarianism may represent an intermediate stage in which individuals are already aware of the fact that the animal industry harms animals (therefore resulting in the renunciation of meat), while at the same time potentially not wishing to know all the details about, for example, the production of cheese, which could then result in a broader change in lifestyle,” the researchers add.
2. The Cheese Paradox
Many individuals avoid veganism as they feel they would miss out on delicious food and cite the importance of taste in their meals above all else. Researchers suggest that vegans likely care about taste as much as non-vegans do and this mental block may be a way to reaffirm current non-vegan lifestyle choices.
“The finding stating that it may be difficult for vegetarians not to consume dairy products—especially cheese—and eggs because they would miss the taste and “substitute” products often fail to meet consumers’ taste expectations implies that a vegan lifestyle may be associated with the expectation of a worse taste experience,” the researchers write.
Cheese is often the hardest animal product to give up and is even experienced as addictive. “The cheese paradox” highlights how despite knowing that consuming cheese affects animal and environmental welfare, wanting to continue consuming it is a highly significant motivator for many non-vegans. However, some participants in the study did not actually know whether cheese was vegan or vegetarian, highlighting once again the impact of the knowledge gap.
3. Old Habits Die Hard
Many individuals hesitate to adopt a vegan lifestyle due to the challenge of breaking deeply ingrained dietary habits. Vegetarians and prospective vegans may struggle to give up the comfort and familiarity of their current lifestyle. The perceived difficulty of the transition and questioning the feasibility and convenience of going vegan can also make it seem particularly formidable.
Another significant factor hindering the adoption of veganism is the lack of social support. The societal acceptance of a vegan lifestyle is often limited, leading to concerns about potential stigma, criticism or isolation. This influence appears less pivotal for vegans, suggesting a greater readiness to navigate social challenges associated with veganism. In contrast, the fear of uncertainty in one’s social life can make non-vegans wary of this change.
So, if you have found yourself considering veganism, remember that it is natural to struggle with making a significant life change and with fighting the psychological discomfort that often accompanies greater vegan literacy. However, if you are looking to make the transition, it appears that knowledge is power and it can be the key to fighting these mental blocks and living by your core values.
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