A recent study cited in Psychology Today suggests that there are more lapsed vegetarians than actual vegetarians and that most get that way because of health reasons, with the 'hassle factor' coming in as the second largest reason. I think that the sample size of the study is too small actually to make the study conclusive, but it does bring up some good questions. As a 15-year-long vegan and an additional 10 years' experience as a lacto-ovo vegetarian (I made the switch in 1986 when I was about 12 or 13 years old), I have struggled with finding a good balance of nutrition - at times I have been low in iron from not getting enough B12, and have also been overweight due to eating too many carbs and not enough veggies. But being anemic or overweight can simply happen due to any diet that isn't carefully balanced, and it has taken me a long time to develop good eating habits and a lifestyle where I both know I'm healthy and feel great too. For anyone contemplating giving up veganism or vegetarianism for health or hassle reasons, I urge you to visit the website of the American Dietetic Association here:
http://www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8357 Note that their position is,
"that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes."
I don't know what else I can say about the 'hassle factor' except that it seems like a much bigger hassle to eat food in a way that's inconsistent with your ethical or environmental beliefs. Society is not going to make it easy, ever, to do something that is new and different. But that's not a good enough reason in my view not to do it. Anyone needing help with motivation to return to vegetarianism or to start up, just visit
http://www.veganoutreach.org/ and you'll find lots of good resources to get going.
Psychology Today Link:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animals-and-us/201106/why-do-most-vegetarians-go-back-eating-meat
