Plant Based Diets are… Interesting.

Last Updated on August 2, 2025 by Pen Pixel

You ever tell your body you’re vegan… and it starts dreaming of grilled turkey thighs?

Yeah. Same.

That’s how I knew this plant-based thing wasn’t going to be a cute Pinterest aesthetic, it was gonna be war. And guess who was both the enemy and the soldier? Me.

A plant-based life is a whole character arc. And nobody’s talking about the messy middle.

The Key Takeaway.

Going plant-based is not some magical, guilt-free, glowy journey where you just float around smelling like lemongrass and pooping rainbows. It’s hard. It’s confusing. It’s full of emotional landmines and mental gymnastics. But it’s also worth asking yourself if your plate matches your values or if you’re just eating whatever your cravings tell you without thinking.

Plant-Based Diets Are… Interesting.

And when I say interesting, I mean chaotic in a controlled way.

There’s no one way to “eat better.” But plant-based diets? They hit different. Not always in a smooth jazz, skin-clearing way either. More like that ex you keep blocking and unblocking. You know it might be good for you… but is it worth the breakdown?

• You’re not just changing your meals.
• You’re rewriting your identity.
• You’re learning how to say no to the part of you that screams “Ugh! This is so good!” every damn time you eat something you like.

It’s very very psychological.

Vegan, Vegetarian, and Flexitarian Explained.

Vegan.

Being vegan is like dating someone who’s SO GOOD for you… but who also makes you question your entire childhood.

No meat. No eggs. No milk.

Translation? You just said goodbye to yogurt, chicken shawarma and every cake you didn’t know had milk powder in it.

It’s bold. It’s brave. But let’s not lie, it’s also isolating AF.

• You’ll go to parties and realize you can only eat salads.
• You’ll have to explain to your aunty why you didn’t touch the buffet at Christmas.
• You’ll cry the first time you smell suya on the street and realize… it’s not for you anymore.

And no, vegan meat substitutes don’t taste like meat. They taste like someone tried really hard but forgot what joy tastes like.

But then,

• You will get creative.
• You will discover foods you ignored your whole life.
• Your energy might just flip, like your body’s been waiting for this break.

And the best part? You start asking questions. Real ones. Like: “Do I need meat to feel full?”

Or: “What do I eat when I’m sad and can’t reach for chicken wings?”

Veganism is like therapy for your appetite. You’ll hate it. Then you’ll love it. Then you’ll hate it again. And one day you’ll realize… you’ve changed.

Vegetarian.

Being vegetarian is like putting your big toe in the plant-based pool while still holding a turkey leg in your other hand.

You skip meat but still eat eggs and dairy. Basically, you’re 90% righteous and 10% “damn I need cheese on this thing.”

And honestly? That balance works for some people.

But then,

A lot of people go vegetarian thinking it’ll be easy. Until they realize meat is hidden in everything.

Stock cubes. Sauces. Party food. Fried rice at random restaurants. Even your “vegetable soup” has fish powder in it if you’re not careful.

Being vegetarian means you’re constantly watching. Reading labels. Asking questions. Turning down “just small meat.”

• It’s annoying.
• It’s draining.
• But it also makes you feel like you’re finally in control. Like, “No, I don’t want meat, not because I can’t have it. Because I don’t need it right now.”

That’s power. Even if it comes with a side of FOMO and guilt when the meat pie tray comes around.

Flexitarian.

Flexitarian is basically:

“I eat mostly plants… but don’t tempt me.”

You reduce meat. You focus on whole foods. But you’re not about to cry over chicken.

It’s the “I’m doing my best, but I’m not ready to fight my cravings yet” plan.

• It’s realistic.
• It’s forgiving.
• But it can also feel like you’re living in limbo.

One day you’re eating chickpea stew with brown rice.

The next day you’re licking goat meat bones and telling yourself it’s “just balance.”

Flexitarianism is sneaky.

You can go months thinking you’re plant-based, when really… you just swapped rice for spaghetti and added more lettuce. That’s not a lifestyle change. That’s a salad break-up.

The challenge with flexitarian diets is discipline. You’re your own regulator. No rules. Just vibes.

So ask yourself: “Am I eating this way because I want to? Or because I’m scared of restriction?” Because there’s a difference.

About these 3 Plant-Based Diets.

• You will dream about shawarma.
• You will question your sanity at midnight with a bowl of bland lentils.
• You will get tired of answering, “So what do you even eat?”

And you will be tempted to lie and say you’re vegan when you’re not. Because it’s easier than explaining nuance.

But listen,

• You’re allowed to evolve.
• You’re allowed to try, fail, re-try, and land somewhere in between.
• Being plant-based is not an aesthetic. It’s not perfection. It’s not a cult.

It’s a decision. One you make again. Every single day. With every single meal.

• Sometimes proudly.
• Sometimes awkwardly.
• Sometimes with tears in your eyes and ketchup on your tofu.

And that’s okay.

Your plate is personal. So eat like it.