Opinion Embracing “failure” on a plant-based diet: 10 common challenges new vegans face

Are you new to a plant-based diet? Here are 10 challenges new vegans face, plus words of wisdom from some seasoned vegans on how to overcome them.

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge into a plant-based lifestyle! Whether you’re motivated by the animals, the planet, your health, or just an insatiable love of tofu (we get it), for new vegans, working towards being ‘as plant-based as possible’ is definitely something worth celebrating.

But let’s be real: nobody wakes up one day and is instantly a “perfect vegan”. There are hiccups, slip-ups, and late-night fry-ups – plus those hot chips you swore were cooked in vegetable oil (enter: sneaky beef tallow). 

And you know what? That’s completely okay. 

One of the biggest myths about veganism is that it’s all-or-nothing – but don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress. In reality, most of us stumble a little while finding our feet, and that’s all part of the journey. The important thing is not to let guilt, shame, or fear of “failing” stop you. 

We spoke to a few long-time vegans about the things that tripped them up when they first went plant-based, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. Their stories prove that every “oops” moment is an opportunity to learn, and mistakes don’t make you a “bad vegan” – they just make you human. 

Ready to live and learn? Here are 10 of the most common challenges new vegans face – and why they’re not really mistakes at all, but stepping stones towards a stronger, more sustainable plant-based lifestyle.

1. The “hidden ingredient” trap

You’re at a party, happily munching a bag of salt & vinegar chips, when someone casually mentions they contain milk powder. Or you’ve just demolished a packet of gummy “vegan” lollies, only to realise they’re made with gelatine. It’s a classic rookie move, but it happens to the best of us. 

Packaged foods can be sneaky, and animal ingredients are everywhere (seriously, why is there dairy in half the chips aisle?). But here’s the good news: every little accident makes label-reading easier next time. 

“When I first went vegan, I assumed all the ‘healthier’ options like rice crackers were vegan,” says long-time vegan, Shaunnagh. “Then I realised milk powder shows up in so many random products! After it happened once, I became obsessed with checking ingredient lists – especially since some brands have both vegan and non-vegan versions.” 

Passionate plant-based advocate Noah learned that lesson, too: “The Funday lollies got me recently! I was buying the explicitly vegan ones, then someone gave me a different flavour, and I ate them without realising they weren’t vegan. Oh well – these things happen.” 

Takeaway: Instead of beating yourself up, take it as a reminder that intention matters more than perfection. Knowledge builds with time, and once you find your favourite vegan snacks, you’ll never look back!

2. Going “cold tofurkey” overnight

Some people thrive jumping straight into veganism. For others, going 100% overnight can feel overwhelming and lead to burnout or backsliding.  

“I didn’t go vegan overnight,” says Animals Australia comms warrior, Lydia. “It was a long journey. I read Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer after what was essentially a food tour of the USA, and was mortified – but I thought I couldn’t live without my favourite foods. I started by being vegetarian on weekdays and treating myself to old favourites on weekends. Eventually, I realised I didn’t need or miss them. I still ate sea animals for ages (sad!), then one day, at a sushi train, I had an ‘aha!’ moment and vowed to go vegan.” 

Maybe you miss cheese, or maybe cooking a whole new menu on meal prep day feels like too much work. But not going all in right away doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it just means your journey might be a more gradual one. Plus, every plant-based choice makes a difference. 

Takeaway: You don’t need to be a “perfect vegan” straight away. Try one veg meal a day, one dairy-free product swap, or one meat-free day a week. Building habits that last is far more powerful than going all in at a pace that’s too hard to maintain!

3. The social pressure wobble

You’re at a family BBQ: the veggie skewers are sharing grill space with the snags, and your uncle starts cracking bacon jokes.  

When first going vegan, social situations are often harder to navigate than the food itself. Sometimes there will be nothing for you to eat, sometimes you’ll feel awkward, and sometimes you’ll wish you’d spoken up. 

“My main struggle is attending social events where I’m not catered for and have to bring my own meal,” says decade-long vegan, Jen. “It’s uncomfortable when people comment on what I’m eating or ask questions, and it can feel like my needs weren’t considered. I try to remind myself it’s not about me – it’s about the animals. My discomfort for a short time is nothing compared to what they go through every day.” 

Takeaway:  Social events can be hard to navigate when you first go vegan. But, over time, you’ll build confidence, find ways to prepare, and – especially as you become more self-assured in your choices – maybe even inspire others to try plant-based dishes themselves.

4. The “all-or-nothing” mindset

We’ve all eaten a baked good or slice of cake, only to find out it contained milk, butter, or eggs. Cue the guilt spiral: “I’ve failed! I guess I’m not really vegan after all. Maybe I should just quit?” 

Stop right there! Veganism isn’t about being flawless – it’s about doing your best to reduce harm where you can. Slipping up doesn’t erase all the compassionate choices you’ve already made, so there’s no need to quit while you’re ahead. 

“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good,” says Georgie Purcell, animal activist and Animal Justice Party MP. “If you slip up, it’s okay. Just try again tomorrow. When I first went vegan, I made a few mistakes too – but I kept recommitting, and now, nearly 14 years later, I’m still here. Any step toward reducing animal suffering, whether it’s one meal or every meal, makes a difference.” 

Takeaway: Progress is more important than perfection. Every plant-based meal counts toward our brighter future, and one “oops” moment doesn’t undo your entire journey.

5. Neglecting nutrition

Cutting out animal products doesn’t automatically make all your meals a shining example of gold-standard nutrition. If your meals are 90% hot chips and vegan cookies (we love them, but still), you might feel sluggish or miss out on key nutrients. 

“When I was new to plant-based eating (and woefully inexperienced in the kitchen), I went through a phase of eating sparse dinners, like a plate of roasted sweet potato and cauliflower or avocado toast,” says Maggie, passionate plant-based advocate and vegan of 9 years. “And guess what, I survived! But I did eventually realise, we need variety. Not only to get all those essential vitamins and minerals, but to keep our gut microbiome healthy, too.” 

Plant-based or not, it’s important to be mindful of nutrition and check in with what your body needs. But knowledge is power, and a little meal planning goes a long way.

If you’re struggling to wrap your head around a whole new world of nutrition, a great tip is simply to adapt your favourite non-vegan meals to include vegan alternatives instead of planning a whole new menu. 

“I tend to try and eat the way I did before going vegan – just switching out animal products for vegan alternatives,” says Shaunnagh. “I think that helps, especially in the early stages, until you know what products are available. Too many think you have to jump in and only eat raw or whole foods. I thought that when I first went vegan – especially as I’m a very picky eater.” 

Takeaway: Following a vegan diet doesn’t automatically equate to being “super healthy,” but it doesn’t take much to understand the fundamentals of plant-based nutrition. Try to fill your plate with as many wholefoods as possible and incorporate every colour of the rainbow. Think beans, veggies, greens, grains, and a B12 supplement – you’ll be thriving in no time.

6. The “vegan police” panic

Many new vegans worry about being judged by others for not living up to a particular ‘standard’ – even by other vegans. Maybe you got called out online for eating a strawberries and cream-flavoured lollipop, are worried your friends will mock you if you slip, or feel you have to live up to some impossible standard. Well, you’re not alone!  

“Once, I paid for my vegan meal and my partner’s non-vegan one at a pub,” says Jacqui, passionate animal lover and vegan foodie. “A vegan acquaintance told me I wasn’t a ‘proper vegan’ because I was funding animal suffering. It made me feel like all the good I was doing didn’t matter. But I stayed firm in my ‘why’ and ultimately realised a gentler approach to advocacy works for me – and I’ve connected with plenty more vegans now who would agree!” 

While we’ve all encountered a few bad (vegan) eggs, here’s the truth: most vegans aren’t out to police you. In fact, they’ve probably made the exact same “mistakes” that you have and would empathise with your experience. And anyone who nitpicks? That’s about them, not you. 

Takeaway: You don’t need anyone’s approval to live compassionately. Your journey is yours – and that’s enough.

7. Forgetting to celebrate the wins

When you’re so focused on avoiding mistakes, it’s easy to overlook all the positive impact you’ve had.  

But after just a couple of weeks of eating plant-based, you’ll have tried a heap of new recipes, discovered some new amazing foods, improved your health, and saved a whole bunch of animals. That’s worth celebrating! 

“I recently cooked a curry for some non-vegan friends using mushroom balls I’d found at an Asian grocer,” says Briannagh, a vegan of 10 years and still going strong. “They were blown away and have started buying more mock meats! It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough, but it’s important to celebrate those little wins and acknowledge the often-hidden ripple effect that your choices might have.” 

Takeaway: Every animal saved, every friend inspired, and every new meal discovered is worth celebrating. Give yourself credit – you’re doing amazing!

8. Overcomplicating your menu

When you first go vegan, you may have the impression that every plate needs to be a Pinterest-worthy Buddha bowl or a 12-ingredient curry. Suddenly, cooking feels like homework, and that can feel super overwhelming. 

But here’s the secret: vegan food doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple pasta, beans or avocado on toast, or even a good ol’ veggie stir-fry can be just as nutritious and delicious as a fancy “Insta-worthy” meal.  

“It wasn’t until I went veg that I realised how limited and conventional my diet was,” says Lisa, Campaigns Manager at Animals Australia. “I overhauled my groceries with veggies and produce I’d never used, and it didn’t go well! I over- or undercooked things and felt like a bad cook. But I persisted, and 15 years later, I’m nailing it in my vegan kitchen! The diversity of my meals has increased exponentially, and I’m still discovering new things every day.” 

Takeaway: Keep it simple. Start with ‘veganising’ the meals you know and love, then expand your repertoire as you go. Delicious doesn’t have to mean difficult.

9. Expecting to like everything instantly

Not every vegan swap will be love at first bite – and that’s okay. Maybe the first plant-based cheese you tried was… well, less than dreamy. Or perhaps that soy milk in your coffee didn’t quite hit the spot. 

That doesn’t mean you won’t find an alternative you enjoy – it just means you haven’t met your favourite brand, style, or product yet. Palates adjust, and the massive array of plant-based foods and products continues to expand and improve every year. 

“I hated soy milk at first,” says Jen. “I remember being grossed out by soy lattes – now it’s the reverse! Most vegan cheeses are yum too… except that one that used to be in supermarkets that smelt like feet. Who was buying that?!” 

Takeaway: Don’t give up on a whole category because of one dud product. Taste buds change, and vegan options just keep getting better (just make sure to avoid the feet-scented cheese!)  

10. Forgetting your “why”

Between label-reading, meal-prepping, and navigating social situations, it’s easy to lose sight of why you went vegan in the first place. Without a strong connection to your “why,” it can feel like a diet instead of a lifestyle – and diets are much easier to abandon. The truth is, you still might be tempted to return to your ol’ non-plant-based ways – but that doesn’t make you a bad vegan.  

“I think there’s a misconception that once you go vegan, you’ll stop craving meat,” says Shaunnagh. “If you’ve eaten animal products your whole life, it’s natural to grieve those changes – socially and physically. You might have sense memories for certain meals. That doesn’t make you a bad vegan – it’s how you act on those feelings that matters.” 

For Animals Australia supporter, Luke, seeing sweet videos of rescued animals anchors him back to the reason he went vegan: “I see a cow cuddling with a human, or a lamb skipping through a paddock, and I think, this animal is no different to my cat! And they’re definitely smarter than my cat. How could I ever eat one of them again?'” 

Takeaway: Reconnect with your “why” whenever things get tough. Whether it’s for animals, the planet, or your health, purpose fuels motivation. 

You’re not a failure – you’re just human!

The common thread connecting these pearls of wisdom is there’s no such thing as a “perfect vegan” – or a failed one! There are only humans, learning and growing. Every slip-up, awkward BBQ, or mistaken mouthful of milk powder is part of your journey to build a lifestyle that sticks – one that makes a difference for animals, the planet, and your health. 

So next time you trip up, take a breath. Remember why you started. Learn from it and keep going. Because every plant-based step forward, no matter how small, is something to be proud of.  

Inspired to embrace a plant-based lifestyle? While you’re here, check out our handy directory of vegan resources to inspire and inform your journey – or get cooking with the endless collection of delicious plant-based recipes over at VegKit!