Alicia Silverstone Admits She ‘Cheats’ Sometimes On Vegan Diet

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by Michael dEstries November 11, 2010
Categories: Eats
Tags: .

I think most everyone can relate to this one — no matter what diet you’ve tried or are living.

Alicia Silverstone let slip to US Weekly that she sometimes “cheats” a bit on her vegan diet; with dairy being her main weakness.

“If I was at a party and there was a tray of cheese sitting there and I had had drinks, then I might have a bite,” The Kind Diet author said.

“It’s human,” she added. “It’s a really good reminder that sometimes you need to have what you remember is this good thing. Because then you have it, and you’re like, ‘Actually that wasn’t better than the recipes in my book’. Being flexible that way makes more people comfortable. If I’m rigid about it and I’m perfect, then no one is going to be able to be like me because I’ll be this icey, rigid thing.”

Something tells me the “icey, rigid” comment isn’t going to go over well with vegans who don’t give in to the occasional dairy craving. Poor choice of words there.

Silverstone added that thanks to her all-plant diet, she hasn’t seen a doctor in over 13 years.

via USWeekly

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

View all posts by Michael dEstries →
  • Rachelle

    I forgive her. LOL! And she should still see a doctor more often than she does–just to make sure everything is ok–prevention reasons. :)

  • georgina

    Hmmm, that is OK, what she said i mean. The last time i ate cheese my husband and i had not had cheese in about four months (we were still calling ourselves vegetarians), but we were at this place and they had nothing for us to eat, not even french fries, so we had mozzarella triangles. HUGE disappointment, it did not taste like i remembered it and it made me think “why did i ever think this stuff was so good?”

    About the rigid-icy comment, that is all dependent on people’s perception, the question is (and the answer is very personal) who cares?

    About the doctor remark, if she is a healthy individual she doesn’t really need to see them. I see my primary care once a year but i never need more than that so i guess in a way i can say that i do not go to hospitals to see doctors.

  • tammy marie

    wow! i’m a 9 year ethical vegan and i never once thought that i had to eat something animal derived to remind me what it tasted like “because i was “human”
    you want a good reminder why we do what we do then go visit a factory farm or watch “earthlings”
    …and there is nothing “icey and rigid” about compassion.

    • Jae

      I don’t think she meant.. “I had to consume an animal product because I’m human” I think she meant that she effs up sometimes because she’s human.

      Stop jumping down the throats of those who are making some kind of contribution to the cause. A lot of people are turned off by veganism because of comments like yours. Some people feel like if they don’t commit 100% then they’d be a failure and therefore don’t bother. Someone who cuts down even a little on animal derived foods/products is helping.

      Have some compassion for humans, too.

      • tammy marie

        of course people are human and eff up sometimes but don’t preach about how great the vegan lifestyle is but then admit that it’s too hard to keep up.
        this is what turns people off the vegan lifestyle or even attempting it because they think it’s too hard or too depriving not because of my comment.
        there is nothing wrong with living and promoting a flexible lifestyle of a mostly vegan diet or even a mostly vegetarian diet which is a lot easier for people to aspire to and a lot more realistic.

      • http://www.herwinsvegancafe.com herwin

        ! 1 with Tammy Marie.
        nothing wrong with a mainly vegan diet, just look at Bill Clinton and his new 99% vegan diet, just awsome. Much respect for Bill Clinton. (or anyone who cuts the meat.)
        But its something else for a “vegan” cooking book writer to still have that idea and urge that somehow “cheese” is “delicious” ? Scuse me, when i think about cheese i think about the cows and believe me, that takes away all good feelings of cheese.
        She human, okay, but pllllllease dont try to tell that eating cheese because you are drunk is a “good thing” (its not, its WEAKNESS because she drunk) and that being 100% vegan would be “icy and frigid”. Thats really not a comment to make by anyone calling him/herself a vegan.
        She defenitely isnt my “Vegan Of The Year” :-P

      • Marie

        I agree with Jae! Have some compassion for humans too! She admitted it was a weakness so back off. She’s human and at least she admits to her flaws, accepts them, and moves on. The point is she never quits! I don’t care is someone has a grilled cheese sandwich every year just because they feel like , know why? cause that means every other day in that WHOLE year, they didn’t have anything animal derived and they saved more lives and stopped more abuse than someone who loves animals but is too afraid they won’t meet up 100% one day to standards if they go vegan. As far as her preaching how awesome the vegan lifestyle is and there saying it’s hard not to cheat, I think that’s fine. She’s being honest! Veganism is a MAJOR decision, and like every goal in life there are bound to be bumps in the road. I know I didn’t go into veganism cause I thought it would be easy. Why lie? So yeah , eating cheese while drinking is not vegan at all but she’s still in that moment a vegan at heart. And I honestly believe that people who think that vegan’s aren’t allowed to be flawed or make a mistake ( even if consciously chosen) every once in a while like every other human being ARE icy and rigid. Veganism is about compassion and progress. Every little win is a BIG win and every little lost is just another stepping stone to get over in the garden of change.

      • tammy marie

        easy there chuck liddell (marie) this is not a cage match.
        i don’t care if she makes mistakes we all do but what she is saying is that she eats cheese to fit in so people will like her….two totally different things and a very stupid statement coming from a vegan activist.

    • don miguelo

      I see your point here but at least she was honest about it. She said “It’s Human”, meaning it’s human to not be 100 percent ‘perfect’ 24/7, no matter the goal.

      And she is saying that being more approachable is better strategy-wise than being walled off from others who might have otherwise changed their ways. I agree, from having done both approaches.

      I applaud you for your strength in your fight, maybe let’s say all this progress is cumulative, not divisive. You lead your way, hers in her way, me in mine- that’s what I think is the only way to change the world.

      • http://www.herwinsvegancafe.com herwin

        You aplaud me for my…fight ? thats a typical stereotype, that being a vegan is a “fight”, a “struggle”. Well, its not , at least not for me or my vegan friends. Maybe for the Alicias in this world..?

        she is like a person who stops smoking, becomes a poster child for the non smoking movement and writes a book about it, only later to confess that occasioanly she smokes because “if i never smoke i would be so icey and rigid. by smoking once in a while i am more aproachable for smokers.” Sounds nice but its bs reasoning.

        Miss Silverstone can eat cheese in her moments of weakness (“please pass on the whiskey and that cheese over there”), she only confirms the stereotype that the vegan diet is hard to follow and not tasty, and her remarks are offending for vegans who are very happy being vegan 24/7 and now somehow caracterized as being icey and rigid.
        complete bs.
        Like what you say is, that being vegan 24/7, is being walled off and less approachable. Be weak, eat some cheese, and meat and you are more aproachable for…who ?

        i am so happy that Heather Mills was Vegan of the Year last year and not blondy Alicia, although a lot of people were voting for her..

      • rawraj

        Its not honesty my friend. Its what they get paid to do.
        If you noticed PETA has gone “soft” on its vegan stance. Newkirk even said “Screw the concept” the concept being veganism.

        Most start according to me are not even Vegan, they just simply get into for publicity reasons and PETA is really not strict if the person posing nude is a vegan or no.

        I seriously think this is all a part of a bigger agenda to turn Vegans into Flexitarians.

        The meat industry is losing out a lot and they are bucking up.

        TO me she is not a vegan.
        I still don’t call myself a vegan even thought I try hard not to eat stuff because its really tough to be vegan when you eat outside. Last month I had crumbled Cheese in a salad at a Salad Buffet.
        They don’t put it normally as eat there regularly, I think they had spare cheese to get rid off.
        When i realized I stopped eating and shouted at them, I said they should mentioned it as “cheese salad”.
        Now they mention if it contains Cheese or yoghurt. Thankfully In my City(In India) there are religious fasts where people can only eat raw vegetables and fruits(NO dairy No grains no sugar or processed food). So these people oblige for religious reasons.
        Its tough in other cities where people don’t observe such fasts.

        Totally agree with all the vegans who are getting angry. I understand. I go a step further and say this is a deliberate attack on Veganism by these ‘actors’ who would pretend to be anything for money :-P

      • Cheryl Ann

        I would much rather buy books from a vegan who admits to succumbing to temptation on occasion, especially if alcohol has affected her judgement, than someone who turns their back on veganism, (Alex Jamieson) with full knowledge of what conventional practices entail, just because they want to bow down to their tastebuds.
        Alicia is a kind human. Still.

    • Jo

      Tammy Marie, I couldn’t agree with you more. I am also vegan for ethical reasons. I never crave animal derived food, probably because I know where it comes from! There is no way I could even think (even while drinking, though I don’t drink) about eating cheese or meat. It’s just not an option. If I’m someplace that doesn’t have vegan food–then I’ll eat when I go home (if I’m on the road–it’s Happycow.com all the way)! “Being human” shouldn’t be synonymous with being willfully ignorant when it’s not convenient to do the right thing! I love your comment “there is nothing ‘icy and rigid’ about compassion”–I’ll add what is “icy and rigid” is eating bodily secretions and flesh of suffering or dead animals!

      I say this to some weak (fashionable, hipster) vegans I know: just because you’re on vacation or drunk doesn’t mean animals didn’t die for that food! If people don’t want to choose to live vegan, then don’t. It’s better for everyone if they don’t drag veganism through the mud when they give off the message that veganism is difficult.

      • tammy marie

        thanks jo
        ..and that is the most frustrating thing about what she said, not that she ate cheese, but that she would come across as this ice queen and unapproachable person if she didn’t do it. you want it eat it then eat it but don’t take the rest of us down with you and make us all look like outcasts.

      • rawraj

        Totally agree well said.
        Also Tammy Marie I agree with your reply below
        Like I said before there is an “Agenda” behind this statement.
        I feel she said this on purpose to make us look like outcasts she knew what she was doing.

      • Jo

        Sorry, it’s Happycow.net!

      • Tim

        “If people don’t want to choose to live vegan, then don’t. It’s better for everyone if they don’t drag veganism through the mud when they give off the message that veganism is difficult.”

        So, basically, if you have ten cows and only one of them is slaughtered, you might as well slaughter the other nine as well. Tell the other nine cows that your elitism is better for them.

    • jacqueline

      easy there chuck liddell (marie) this is not a cage match.
      i don’t care if she makes mistakes we all do but what she is saying is that she eats cheese to fit in so people will like her….two totally different things and a very stupid statement coming from a vegan activist.

      Totally agree with you Tammy. Their is nothing icey and rigid about it. What a strange comment coming from her. I’m a little disappointed to tell you the truth. Does dairy and meat really taste good after you truly haven’t had it in a while? It just stinks awful, and has the weirdest slimy texture and taste to me now. Someone sprinkled some parmesean on my meal and I thought i could scrape it off but I was so sick for 3 full days. I’m was never lactose intolerant as far as I know, and it’s only been 11 mths vegan and 25 yrs vegetarian. Eating that one item with chicken broth or flavoring is not as easy as she makes it out to be.

      I’m sure she is doing a lot, a lot more than me, but I am beginning to doubt not only her diet, but her choice in words. Now she thinks true vegans are “icey and rigid”. It would have been okay if she presented herself from the beginning this way, rather than being a hypocrite and putting down her audience for it’s devotion. It’s not that she’s not perfect and is flexible that’s the issue.

      • tammy marie

        i know what you mean rawraj…it does make you wonder if something else was behind the statement. she is a smart girl….who knows?

  • http://bittofraw.com bitt

    If you eat cheese, even once in awhile, you are vegetarian, not vegan. She’s simply using the wrong term to describe herself.

    And now all health claims will be confused because people will think that she is getting B-12 from those occasional cheats. She’s loosing credibility, which I’d think she would want for her cookbook writing career.

    I hope she addresses this on her blog.

  • Sharon F.

    If someone claims to love animals there really is no other way than to refrain from eating them and their secretions.It isn’t about taste or recipes or how good one looks on a vegan diet. It’s about the animals and their right to live their lives free from human exploitation. If the cheese platter looks too tempting, then maybe one should think that the milk from which the cheese was made was meant for a baby calf, not for you.

  • vegn

    I wrote this regarding her similar remarks on the oprah show ( http://www.ecorazzi.com/2010/01/27/oprah-shows-you-silverstones-vegan-shopping-list/ )… still fitting here:

    “Alicia is one of the most talked about celebrity vegans, yet her Oprah interview was awkward and disheartening. Slipping up with cheese? Coming from someone that suggests part of her reasoning for going vegan was due to animal industry and cruelty to meat and dairy animals, it is odd that she would slip up? I am a vegan of over 18 years, and my values are far beyond my taste buds. I’m a laid back person, and people do what they want, but if you are seen as the poster child for celebrity veganism, such statements are ridiculous. If she were vegan simply for health, no big deal, but if you promote animal advocacy, it makes all vegans that stick to their ethical values look wishy washy. To me, this is akin to a dog rescuer/lover occasionally kicking their pet in the face, especially after a glass of wine. The media and critics will love this.”

  • Irene

    First off, I am well aware many will be fast to jump down my throat because of my diet, but here goes. I was vegetarian for many years, as I believed the unnecessary slaughter of billions of animals was an abomination (still beleive that)
    After several yrs of eating a vegetarian diet, I caved in. Not the first time, but this time with different convictions as before. I’ve cried screamed and banged my fists because of the inhumane way in which animals are treated, yet I found myself eating meat again. Now here is where everyone will probably attack. I became convinced, because of health issues, that my blood type was not suited to a vegan/vegetarian diet. I tried everything, but not living in the US means you cant just find vegan ice cream and superfoods/supplements around the corner. I ate a nearly raw food diet, being very balanced in my opinion, I thought I would excell, unfortunately I became weak, depressed and tired very quickly. I soon realised that my diet was affecting me in ways i never thought possible. To this day I think the vegan diet is most compassionate and ideal ( if you can remain healthy on it). The hardcore vegans I know were quick to reject my newfound diet and criticized my ethics. But here’s the thing, maybe a 100%vegan diet works for you because of your genetics and blood type, but dont go and think everyone is the same, our bodies are all different and different diets suit us best.

    I have now settled on a diet where I eat what my body craves. Sounds stupid? Well I think it is stupid to go through life resisting every urge you may have just to ‘better’ yourself. Where’s the proof of that anyways. Sometimes your body craves things because it needs it. Sex is an urge and most of us give in to this at some point… right?
    I eat some poultry (free ranging certified/ organic) once a week or so, and one or 2 fish meals. For the rest I have maintained my original vegan/vegetarian diet. I feel like a new person, with renewed energy, and can now spend my energies on things that matter, like Compassion in World farming. Being an abolitionist scares people off and they reject any beliefs you may have, but finding a middle ground that worked for me has been very rewarding.
    Oh and yes i still cringe at the thought of eating my fellow friends, but I also know it is part of the cycled of life. Every seen great migrations? For some to live others must die, and you can also be a compassionate meat eater. Every bit helps, if every person could half their meat intake rather than quit completely we would already spare 27billion lives every year. And those that are slaughtered may live a better and healthier life.

    Alicia is very inspiring to me, because of her commitment not just to animals, but sustainable living. I think it makes her even better for acknowledging her weaknesses rather than sit upon her high horse heckling others.

    Again remember, just because a vegan diet works for you, does not mean it will work for all.

    • tammy marie

      oh my god! i’m becoming one of those people that pick apart what other people say :(
      i don’t think any of us have a problem with people who try out a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle and for whatever reason cannot make it work. i think the great thing about your comment irene, is that your realized it wasn’t working for you but you are still aware of the choices you are making and try to continue to be compassionate as best as you can.
      again, the difference with alica is that she promotes the lifestyle in such high regards, has no health problems whatsoever, and then drops the “cheese bomb” on everybody.
      It’s frustrating because we as vegans would love the world to change overnight but we know that it is not going to happen overnight or in our lifetime. we don’t have that many vegan personalities in the media and when we do and one admits failure it’s like a punch in the stomach. i think a lot of us held our breath when oprah went vegan but didn’t fault her when she couldn’t keep it up (much to a lot of our heartache) but we knew she was just trying it but a lot of people learned something and learned about ethical choices. i think it would kill us now if ellen, after her amazing non-intrusive approach to the vegan lifestyle all of sudden stated that she now eats eggs or eats cheese.
      i understand what everyone is saying about personal choice and different reasons and i respect anyone that at least try’s and makes more informed choices or limits their meat intake but when we have what it seems to be a small representation in the media and that representation drops the ball it hurts just a little bit because we know that there is so many lives counting on these decisions and we know that so many people will hear what she said and say “see even she can’t do it so how do you think i can do it”.
      all we ask is to please promote a flexible diet with less meat options or meatless mondays or humane raised options or tofu tuesdays or whatever just promoting change is always good….just don’t promote “the movie” if you didn’t watch it.

    • vegn

      If I settled on a diet of foods which my body craved, I would be eating butter tarts and beer for the rest of my life. However, I do not feel I am butter tart deficient as a vegan. I am not trying to mock you, but rather point out that yes, our body does give us signals, but there are vegan options (and I don’t mean fake meats or other processed products widely available in urban centres) that will cover our dietary and nutritional needs. The body craves things that are familiar, though we can gain the same nutrients from sources unfamiliar to the body.
      Most of the many dozens of vegans I knew over the past 19 years came up with very interesting reasons why they gave up veganism. The list includes:
      -copper deficiency
      -gained too much weight
      -lost too much weight
      -iron deficient
      -protein deficient
      -don’t really care anymore
      -craved steak
      -my doctor said veganism is not healthy

      Most of these people are now very unhealthy as meat eaters and many have the same “afflictions” as when they were vegan. It was a way to indulge without the guilt.

      I also have vegan friends with different blood types (running the gauntlet of a, b, o), body types and activity levels. However, each are very healthy because they take great care to choose foods appropriate to their blood type, body type and activity level (and no these are not hard to find foods). These are not short term vegans, these people have been vegan between one and two decades. I don’t want to say you were not thorough enough in your dietary choices, but I wonder if you did explore all of your options or knew enough about nutrition.

      As for finding a middle ground, as you state,… I will never eat meat to make someone else feel more comfortable around me. If I were aiming to accommodate others around me, I would never please everyone. I know no hardcore meat eaters that go vegan to make me feel comfortable. In my day to day life I am a respectful person and lead by example, not through preaching. I’ve gained respect through my dedication to wild and domesticated animals and my consistency in my beliefs. My dietary choices reflect my core values, and my actions as a human and animal rights activist reflect my dedication to both human and animal issues. A vocal animal rights activist can not be someone that consumes meat or you are hypocritical and will not be taken seriously. You can like animals and hope that they are not harmed, but in reality you support that harm. Free range chickens are still over bred, killed and eaten, and world fish stocks are in serious decline. Farmed fish also contribute to global fish decline. And the use of free range animals to a global population is not sustainable. If the population switched from factory farms to free range, there would not be enough space to house all of these animals. There are too many people to depend on a meat based diet, even at only 2 or 3 meals a week. If you witnessed the destruction caused by even good-sized family farms with free range animals, you would be surprised. The local environments can not sustain such uses unless they were extremely small scale. I see this in my work as an environmental scientist. If you need protein, and I mean this in all sincerity, fresh roadkill is your best, most natural organic option. I know a few individuals that only eat what they find on the roads because they refuse to take a life to support their existence. As gruesome as this may sound, it is the most sustainable, abundant, year-round and healthy alternative if you refuse to give up meat. These animals were truly free range and organic! Food for thought.

      • Irene

        Thank you i appreciate your feedback.
        When i was talking about cravings, i diid not mean yhhe glutton in most of us, peopke naturally crave salt, sugar and fat because it was typically scarce in nature. Now it is everywhere in grotesque amounts. What i was refering to was learning to identify and trust your body to knowwhat it needs. Just as i drink more water in the summer, i livein a warm climate, and eat more fatty foods oveer the wonter, healthy fats like avocado, seeds and nutbutters etc. But you may be right maybei didnt explore enough options, although as a sufferer of ocd, which i treat through diet and meditation instead of medication of any sort, i am very thorough in my research. I live in africa where truly free rangingmeat is available. I agree the world isnt big enough to supply everyone with meat, but the world cannot sustain theamount of people onearth fullstop. Its not just the meat and fish thats in dedcline, but everything else aswell,so i think thats an irrellevant point to bring up.
        I deeply respect your commitment to the environment and yourbeliefs, all i am saying is that i do notthink you need to be vegan to be compassionate.
        You make a good point about the roadkill, but then again i should probably be eating the eagles who get shocked to death on electric fences and the many other animals who fall victim to our modern world, i agree, good point. Also i eat fresh water fish which has been sourced from our local valley. Ive seen slaughter houses, ive seen massacred pigs. I know the other side of the sotry, believe me. There are certain things i will never support, pig slaughter, culling of elephants, hippos etc, culling of any species for that matter. But i also repsect the millenia old relationship between farmer and animal, im an animal behaviourist, and spend much time observing many species. The farmer and his cow, etc. Yes ideally we should leave the cows the hell alone and drink coconut milk, but i do not see this happening , well sadly, ever. And while we do exploit animals, like is seen in nature, we can do it through caring for the animal. I know it sounds hipocritical and pragmatic, but in this harsh world, sometimes we need a little pragmatism .
        And finally, i didnt say i care what people think about my beliefs, i meant that you can attract more flies with honey than vinegar, and i often consider humans as annoying as flies, But this world is messed up, and most people are too, and sometimes to get people to sommit to a cause or open their eyes you have to look their background. There are very few vegetarian african tribes and you cannot change tradition as easy as many naively expect so i was saying its important to work what you have.
        Once again, i respect your commitment deeply. No offence intended with my comment.

      • Irene

        Sorry my ipad causes a lot of typos, im not completely illiterate.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Miner-End-Bsl/1146434269 Matt Miner End Bsl

      This post has been removed due to violation of our commenting policy.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Miner-End-Bsl/1146434269 Matt Miner End Bsl

      You’re incredibly selfish and you deserve to be called out for that.

      • Irene

        ????? Explain.

  • Blake

    I agree with Rachelle.

  • rain

    I think the issue is the mis reprentation of a vegan diet. That is what is upsetting here. Cravings are normal but I don’t get why people think staying vegan is hard. Coming from a sad diet and being super picky about food and not eating almost any fruits and vegetables, I made the overnight switch to veganism. Fuck this was easy… and the best thing I ever did. Yeah there was detox stages and a learning curve but veganism has pretty much every food in vegan form. Can’t get it near you well order it online. Yes I agree are different but the blood type is a theory and holds no scientific proof. Thanks people out there who convinced me to be vegan your the best and have given me a great thing. Happy friday everyone!

    • Jo

      Exactly, Rain! I wish everyone understood that there are very few things vegans can’t eat! Vegans actually eat a greater variety of foods than ominvores. Keep up the great work!

      • http://www.herwinsvegancafe.com herwin

        thats so true ! its great to read what Rain and Jo (and many other posters0 are saying. Yeah, what a paradox but its true ; when i was a meateater my diet was sooo much more limited than my vegan diet now. OMG, it just seems endless the varieties what one can make with veggies and fruit and graines and mushrooms and … compassion. :-P

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Elaine-Vigneault/511380801 Elaine Vigneault

    I think it’s OK for vegans to admit if they cheat every now and then but I think it’s important to comment on how often they “cheat.” Too many people will hear “a little cheese every now and then” and take it to mean that it’s OK to eat cheese everyday!

    However, I’m a little offended by the description that those of us who stay vegan and who don’t blatantly cheat with obviously nonvegan foods like cheese and who don’t tell major news publications that it’s OK to eat cheese are “icey” and “rigid.”

    Admitting weakness is one thing, but condemning others for their strength? Absurd!!!

    • http://www.herwinsvegancafe.com herwin

      i dont understand the point of a vegan “cheating” with cheese. Isnt the whole point of being a vegan that we have realised that cheese and milk is just as a cruel product as meat ? And shouldnt stop that our craving, just like it did with meat ? If a vegan still has that craving and obviously thinks that its good and benefitial to cheat (“otherwise and i am this icy and rigid person”) its obvious the person isnt commited or ready to be a vegan, and should do her homework better, or call herself a vegetarian.
      yeah, i agree fully with you Eline, nothing wrong with weakness and actually very admiring of a person admitting it, but what she said next, is just absurd. :P

    • georgina

      The thing is that by definition to cheat is to deceive and to act dishonestly. Can i plan to cheat? If i do plan it then that means i am fully conscious of what i am doing, that i want to cheat. If it is not planned and just later i realize of what i did then it happened because i made a mistake. In Alicia’s case when she says “…and I had had drinks, then I might have a bite,” she admits at consciously making the decision to eat cheese, which is different than admitting at being human and that we all make mistakes.

      Two different situations. If she actually knows what she is doing, she sees the tray of cheese there and grabs some that makes her a vegetarian and not a vegan. There really is no way around it.

  • rain

    Herein great point

  • Jo

    I knew someone who “cheated” on their veganism whenever they drank. After a while, they just stopped being vegan. His problem was not that veganism is so difficult that you can’t pass on the cheese and eat the crackers or fruit at the party. It came down to the fact that he couldn’t uphold his supposed values when he drank. He certainly had a problem with drinking, but also, being vegan wasn’t really important to him.

    I’m not saying this is the problem with Alicia; she seems very sincere about her values. I love The Kind Life (I eat the “Superhero” diet about 50% of the time–the other half of my diet is raw).

    I’m sure everyone here knows about the addictive quality of cheese (the opiates in milk are meant to keep the baby cows drinking). Alicia should know that “cheating” is keeping her body craving the stuff! It is hard for most people to get past cheese cravings, as your body truly goes through withdraws. Fortunately, though, with some will power, you’ll get through and never crave cheese again. I guess this goes to show how addictive this stuff is.

  • rain

    Sorry I meant to write herwin

  • don miguelo

    HERWIN (you’re in quotes):
    “You aplaud me for my…fight ? thats a typical stereotype, that being a vegan is a “fight”, a “struggle”. Well, its not , at least not for me or my vegan friends.” I applaud you for your neutral, accepted path doesn’t quite have the same ring, does it? It’s not a fight? I guess that’s news to me having fought against so much built-in assumptions, traditions, ignorance, fear, vested interest, advertising, and misplaced anger towards veganism and vegetarianism when I changed diets. I’m happy it was easy for you and you friends, wish it was the same all over. But it’s more honest to say it is a movement, it has an inherent struggle going on in many areas, otherwise everyone would have just done it already no big deal. I feel like what you are also saying is that the stereotypes are built in to the language, similar to when the Feminist movement (again, change happened there with a struggle) started to point out words that favored males (woMAN turned to woMYN, for instance). Maybe some in the vegan movement are guilty of stereotyping with words like “fight” and “rigid”, it’s a point worth considering. I just don’t really see why it’s so far from the truth.

    You also said: “Be weak, eat some cheese, and meat and you are more aproachable for…who?” More approachable for people who are not ready to feel guilty in the presence of a 100% vegan, despite how engaging that vegan may be, despite how that is not fair to the vegan. People don’t want to feel bad about what they are eating in front of a vegan, and that is something that yes they should confront, but will they do it at a socialite party? Not usually. They are afraid of not being good enough, not knowing enough, not being hip enough–Alicia knows this phenomenon and is working it as best she knows how. If she refused the cheese and meat outright that would be great in a way as well, but would she have the opportunity to spread her message as far? I don’t think so. Her reasoning speaks to the majority of people out there, like my mom for example, who aren’t going to change 100 percent, but could be persuaded to change some things.

    Like I said before, why can’t it be Cumulative change, not Divisive?

    • tammy marie

      then promote vegetarian lifestyle not the vegan lifestyle.
      i’ve never heard “mothers against drunk drivers” say “don’t drink but it’s ok to have two drinks before you drive”
      …and could you imagine someone who promoted “mothers against drunk drivers” who said that they had to have those drinks at the party before we drove home because we didn’t want to seem “stiff or rigid” at the party ?

      • don miguelo

        So drunk driving is equivalent to eating as most of the world does? Now THAT’s a stereotype!

        – The world population is 6.787 billion (2009) which would mean that there are approximately 407,200,000 vegans in the world. The most are in the US and England (Answers.com)–

        Actually I agreed with your earlier insightful point that people who write a book about being vegan themselves and veganism in general who publicly announce they cheat are doing that movement a disservice. I also think most of the points that were said after my initial post (which was in reply to you, not Herwin), were great to hear.

        Sounds like Alicia is ‘going along to get along’, as that is the hollywood game. Maybe she could use you as her sidekick to stay strong. She could learn to deal with these situation better than this, I think.

        *calls Moby*

      • tammy marie

        yikes!
        i think we should all get together for a veggie burger (with no cheese) and bitch about her in private :)

        sorry don…my sarcastic side comes across as bitchy when i don’t mean for it to be :)
        sometimes i feel like i’m crossed between mother teresa and roseanne :)

      • Tim

        Your “if you can’t be a vegan 100% of the time, then you might as well just be a vegetarian” is such a short-sighted, Western way of thinking. Our culture loves to divide things into black-and-white categories – Either you’re masculine or you’re feminine. Either you’re fat or you’re thin. Either you’re blue or you’re green. No, life is all about spectrums, not this-or-that, and I think for a cause such as animal welfare this point is especially important. Saying that a person who refrains from animal products 99.99% of the time is closer to someone who refrains from animal products only 50% of the time than to a perfect, 100% vegan is grossly irresponsible. To hell with the labels… What good have they ever done for society, other than dividing and alienating?

  • Janine

    As I would consider Alicia to be a self-made vegan advocate, this really bugs me. She should be promoting the lifestyle as an easy one with no shortage of delicious food. Her book was one of the defining factors that helped me go vegan a year ago, and I haven’t cheated in that year. Maybe I’m too “all or nothing” for some, but I feel like if you’re someone who proclaims to be a vegan, you should not eat cheese at a party. And not to condone not being honest, but seriously, if you’re going to cheat, maybe you should do it in the privacy of your own home and keep it to yourself and not talk about it… just sayin. Wonder what PETA thinks about this? I know she’s a spokesperson for them..

    • http://VeganStrong(facebook) RAIN

      PETA has non vegans in the mix… so I am sure they will ignore it and say she is trying.

  • Karen

    I do get myself into trouble sometimes with pizza, but after partaking in just a couple small pieces, I’ve learned the hard way that it totally wreaks havoc on my system which is used to bowls of broccoli and tons of seaweed :) BUT I will say the melted real cheese tasted good on the way down, I paid for it later though!
    I don’t take offense to Alicia’s comment – I feel the icy rigid responses from some of my hard core meat eating friends. Depending on my mood I really can’t be bothered with the ‘how do you get enough protein’ ‘why would you not eat meat’ questions! No offense taken – I like that their are high profile people who enjoy a plant based diet, no matter what people will be more interested in what the famous are doing than I – if this brings more attention to participating in a vegan lifestyle, I think that’s wonderful.

  • http://VeganStrong(facebook) RAIN

    Being vegan is a political truly about ethics. There is diet and environmental ties along with it but it is not about whether you eat cheese or not, it is about sticking to your beliefs and saying there needs to be a change on how we view and treat animals. Not cats and dogs but all animals. Animals are not inanimate objects that have no interest or awareness. We need to stand up for what we believe in no matter what the food craving. I understand if someone bought something and was like damn I did not know that was not vegan, that may happen and that is o.k. as long as there is something learned from the experience. If your eating or buying something intentionally knowing that it is not vegan, then your belief system is really not strong. I know ethical vegans who fall off because they justify that we can’t save all the animals so why try…and because of their frustration they call it quits and fall to their food addictions. To that one animal that you don’t eat it does matter (of course metaphorically speaking since one piece of meat comes from thousands). To the industry that does matter and affects them. It puts a financial burden.
    I started Veganism through diet but I educated myself in the other aspects of it and it all made real sense to me. I would not kill something myself so why should I pay someone else to do it. I prefer to stand strong and stand up for my vegan view against all odds.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Erin-Elizabeth/566480478 Erin Elizabeth

    When I was a Vegan I was strictly vegan. I didn’t call myself that and sneak cheese. If she does then she shouldn’t really say Vegan.

    Also I encourage people who ARE going to eat dairy to at least eat organic (I only do raw) local humane dairy (We get it delivered by the farmer himself)

    One thing I really avoid is pasteurized non humane dairy though yes, it has been in something I’ve eaten but I work to avoid it at all costs. None of us is perfect… but at least if we eat animal products of any kind I personally try to make them as humane as possible…

    E

  • Eric

    Kind diet indeed. *rolleyes*

    • don miguelo

      Yes, she has definitely painted herself into a corner there. Makes book about being vegan then talks to US Weekly that she “cheats”. She made her own bed there…

  • Bencat1000

    What is so difficult about a vegan diet? People will find ANY way to justify their “food” addiction. “Meat”, “dairy” and eggs are not food. If any person had to eat the flesh, milk or eggs of a human, they wouldn’t do it. Bleh…

    Flesh is flesh, milk is milk and eggs are eggs. The source is of no distinction. We convince ourselves that these are foods, but our decision not to eat humans, their milk or eggs proves that these are not foods even when from an animal. Our family has been vegan for so long, every now and then, we are struck by the horror that people are actually eating these things. Anyone who can “cheat” on a chopped up body part, or body fluid, never made the obvious realization that these are not foods.

    Very good to hear the excellent comments above by true ethical vegans who have made the obvious connection and had the realization about eating animals and their body fluids.

  • Ally

    Are you people serious? The reason that people shun away from vegan diets (or vegetarian even) is because they feel like they can’t stick to it. She’s human, and her approach will bring more people together that want to attempt a plant-based diet then your harsh criticism. Many of us have a hard time resisting food we’ve always eaten, even if we know better know. You are not more ethical because you never stray or make bad choices. I would never even be able to convince someone to try a Meatless Monday if I was that rigid in my thinking.

    Besides, she’s done more to further vegan diets and eco/animal friendly behavior then all of you put together.

    • tammy marie

      i don’t think anyone has a problem with “cheating” on the vegan diet…and again….what she said is that she will eat the cheese to fit in and so people will like her which is a horrible statement to make coming from someone who promotes the vegan lifestyle. she paints a picture in the general media that vegans are icy and rigid which i’m sure all my vegan friends on here know that it is a very untrue and unfair statement.
      i really wish she had to choose her words more carefully.
      (i bet the milk industry is loving this one )
      …and i know how you would convince someone to try a meatless monday…try cooking amazing vegan food….i don’t know why people think it’s so hard…i’ve had vegan thanksgiving at my house for 5 years in a row for 14 people and all of them are meat eaters…cook familiar with a twist and they’ll keep coming back for more :)
      who would of ever thought that making homemade chocolate ice-cream with cashews could taste just as good if not better then cows milk.
      it’s not about denying it’s about exploring to a whole new world of eating that we were never raised to believe or appreciate and all i can tell you as an ex-meat eater…..what and adventure and i am enjoying every second without a single regret ( who knew that toasted bread crumbs with crushed pine nuts could make an amazing topping for chili topped spaghetti instead of cheese ) .

      • Tim

        Earth to tammy-marie: She’s not literally asking for tips to promote Meatless Mondays. She’s reflecting upon how difficult it would be to encourage little steps from others if you’re so critical of others’ imperfections. Why would I want to take singing lessons when I see the teacher slap the accomplished vocal student for missing one note?

  • karyn

    OMG people…She said this exact thing in her book! This is not New news…
    The point is…she does the best she can on a daily basis..The fact that she admitted this shows honesty.
    My sister eats a mostly vegan diet now, as a result of me being vegan for many years, but also Alicia’s book.
    Now..of course I wish my sister would commit completely, but I am still happy that she cut out around 90% of animal products from her diet. That is Huge!! That is progress…
    Maybe you should read about the addictive qualities of cheese:
    http://www.care2.com/greenliving/cheese-contains-morphine.html

    • georgina

      It is addictive, and in many cases is the last stronghold before committing to veganism, but (and there is a BIG BUT) although honestly is always appreciated if she eats cheese to fit in a crowd then she should not call herself a vegan. Wrong choice of words if you ask me, she could have said that she is a human and has made mistakes and that some of those mistakes were eating cheese, but she did not say that.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Phil-Robles/755414901 Phil Robles

    Vegan here.

    You suck Alicia. It’s not that hard not to cheat… in fact, it never cross my mind. You’re disgusting, practice what you preach.

    Can we have our money back from your stupid book by the way? I feel like we’ve all been cheated.

  • sfmitch

    You are a vegan even if you slip and have a piece of cheese. Food is a gift and you don’t turn your nose up at something being offered to you. You’re thankful, appreciate the food, and move on with your with your vegan life. I’m a vegan and my mother made me what she thought was a vegan dish but contained some milk. I’m not going to hurt her feelings and have her throw the food in the trash so I can be pure. That’s stupid. The food is prepared and what is worse? Eat it, be thankful and move on with your vegan life. That’s how it works for me…though I don’t judge others for their decisions. The fact is that a lot less animals are suffering and that’s what matters.

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