Most people don’t fail at going vegan because of lack of willpower—but because of a few sneaky habits they never thought to question.

Going vegan isn’t just a diet shift. It’s an identity shake-up, a habit overhaul, and in some cases, a complete social recalibration.

It’s no surprise that so many people start with the best intentions… and fizzle out by week three.

If that’s you, you’re not alone—and you’re not weak. You’re just human. But if you’re tired of the on-again, off-again plant-based spiral, let’s look at eight surprisingly common reasons people fall off—and how to break the pattern for good.

Let’s dive in.

1. They treat it like an all-or-nothing challenge

A lot of people approach veganism like it’s a 30-day bootcamp or a badge of purity. One bite of cheese, and suddenly the whole thing feels like a failure.

But going vegan isn’t a binary switch. It’s more like learning a new language—you’re going to make awkward mistakes, forget the “right word,” and occasionally revert to what’s familiar.

As noted by psychologist Dr. Melanie Joy, author of Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, “One of the biggest obstacles to change is perfectionism. If we believe we must do something perfectly, we often don’t do it at all.”

What works better? Transition gradually. Start with two vegan meals a day. Or go plant-based on weekdays. Build momentum instead of burning out.

I once eased into it by choosing just one category to replace each week—milk, then snacks, then lunch—and that made it stick.

2. They don’t eat enough

I made this mistake my first time too.

I swapped out meat and dairy but didn’t replace them with anything substantial. Just veggies, maybe some rice. By 3pm, I was starving—and that “emergency croissant” at the café? It wasn’t even that good.

A lot of people fail because they under-eat, plain and simple.

Plants have fewer calories per bite. That’s part of the health benefit, sure—but if you don’t eat enough volume, your body’s going to panic.

Focus on hearty, calorie-dense vegan staples: lentils, peanut butter, hummus, whole grains, tofu, tempeh. Make sure every plate has a mix of protein, carbs, and fat.

One of my go-to meals is a quinoa bowl with black beans, avocado, roasted sweet potatoes, and tahini dressing. It’s cheap, filling, and way more satisfying than you’d expect.

3. They don’t have a solid “why”

Doing it because it’s trendy? Because your friend dared you to? Because you watched What the Health at 2am?

That’ll last… until someone waves a free cheese pizza in front of you.

If you don’t have a compelling reason—one that actually matters to you—then your motivation will crumble under even mild social pressure.

Maybe it’s health. Maybe it’s ethics. Maybe you care about climate collapse. Maybe you just want to feel clearer and lighter. Doesn’t matter what your why is. It just needs to be something you can come back to when your willpower wears thin.

As noted by Simon Sinek, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” That includes the internal sale you make to yourself.

Write it down. Stick it on your fridge. Make it your lockscreen. Your “why” is your anchor when things get hard.

4. They rely on willpower instead of systems

Willpower is overrated. It’s fleeting. It fades by the end of the day—or the moment you walk into a barbecue.

What actually works? Setting up your environment to support your intentions.

I’ve mentioned this before, but James Clear’s Atomic Habits really hammers this point home: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

That means stocking your pantry with vegan basics. Prepping meals ahead. Bookmarking easy recipes. Knowing what to order at your go-to takeout spots. Even unfollowing the cheese-board Instagram accounts, if that helps.

The fewer decisions you have to make in the moment, the better.

And here’s the thing—once your environment makes the vegan choice easier than the non-vegan one, you’ll stop needing to “try so hard.” You’ll just be doing your thing.

5. They don’t get enough social support

Humans are social eaters. If everyone around you is tearing into ribs while you nibble on a lettuce cup, it’s easy to feel like an outsider.

I had a friend who quit her vegan kick after just two weeks—not because she didn’t like the food, but because her roommates kept mocking her every time she pulled out soy milk.

The fix? Don’t do this alone.

Join an online community. Follow creators who cook the way you want to eat. Ask a friend to try Meatless Mondays with you. Even just finding one other person in your life who “gets it” can shift your sense of identity—and make you feel less like the weird one at the table.

Also, learn a couple of crowd-pleasing vegan dishes. If you can bring a banging chili or homemade cookies to a gathering, people stop questioning your life choices and start asking for the recipe.

6. They expect instant results

Some people go vegan and feel amazing overnight. More energy. Better digestion. Glowing skin.

Others feel bloated, sluggish, or just… confused.

It’s normal. Your gut microbiome literally changes when you eat more fiber, and that transition isn’t always smooth. Plus, if you’re used to processed food or high-sugar meals, your taste buds might need a few weeks to recalibrate.

Expecting instant magic is a setup for disappointment.

Give your body time to adjust. Track your mood, energy, and digestion over weeks, not days. Don’t panic if it feels weird at first. Change always does.

Also—watch out for the “vegan junk food” trap. You can technically eat nothing but chips, soda, and Oreos and still call it vegan, but that won’t do you any favors in the long run.

Stick with whole foods and simple meals as your baseline. Once your body stabilizes, you’ll notice the difference.

7. They don’t learn how to cook differently

You can’t just remove the meat and expect the meal to taste the same. That’s like taking the drums out of a song and wondering why it doesn’t hit.

Vegan cooking isn’t “less than.” It’s just different. It’s about layering flavors—acidity, texture, spice, fat. If you don’t explore that, you’ll end up bored (and hungry).

When I started experimenting with roasted chickpeas, tahini dressings, and caramelized onions, everything changed.

Learn how to marinate tofu. Roast your veggies properly. Use nutritional yeast, miso, smoked paprika, coconut aminos.

And honestly, get comfortable with sauces. A good sauce is the bridge between “meh” and “wow.”

There’s a reason restaurants use herbs, acid, and salt like magic wands. Once you understand the flavor game, vegan meals become something you look forward to—not just tolerate.

8. They let one “slip-up” become a full derailment

Here’s what happens: You grab a muffin without checking the label. Later, you find out it had egg in it. You think, “Well, I’ve already messed up. Might as well get a burger tonight.”

Nope. That’s like tripping on one stair and throwing yourself down the whole staircase.

One slip-up doesn’t erase all your progress. You’re not being graded on veganism. You’re not in a purity contest. You’re just trying to align your habits with your values—and that’s a messy, human thing.

As Dr. Brené Brown has said, “Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be your best. It’s the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame.”

Give yourself grace. Reflect, adjust, and move on.

Every meal is a chance to realign. Every decision is an opportunity. Don’t let a momentary misstep become a permanent backslide.

The bottom line

Going vegan—and sticking with it—is less about willpower and more about preparation, flexibility, and purpose.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being persistent. One imperfect meal doesn’t undo the impact of a hundred better choices.

So if you’ve “failed” at veganism before, maybe you didn’t actually fail. Maybe you just didn’t have the right support, tools, or mindset.

This time? You can change that.

Start small. Stay kind to yourself. And remember—progress, not perfection, is what makes this lifestyle sustainable.

Because the goal isn’t to be “the perfect vegan.” The goal is to live more in line with your values—meal by meal, choice by choice.