Why in the world did I become veggan — a vegan who eats eggs — after 16 years of being vegan? First, I turned vegan for ethical reasons in 2004, when I was just 14 years old. I couldn’t bear the thought of contributing to animal suffering, and so I gave up all animal products. For 16 wonderful years, I indulged fully in the vegan diet trying all the vegan ice creams, cheeses, mock meats, chocolates and baked goods in existence. There wasn’t a vegan restaurant in New York that I hadn’t tried (Peacefood Cafe is my fav, btw). However, dealing with various health issues that affected my quality of life, I made the difficult decision to become veggan in 2020.
Why veggan?
The reason I became veggan was due to health reasons. First off, I want to say I believe it is absolutely possible to be 100 percent healthy on a vegan diet, and I am so happy for those who are. However, every body is different! We need to recognize this. For me, being 100 percent vegan meant that the whites of my eyes weren’t white, my hair was losing volume and I was chronically fatigued. I couldn’t make it through a day without feeling absolutely exhausted.
And I was not a “junk-food vegan” — I always ate tons of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, quinoa, beans, legumes, seeds, whole proteins like seitan and tofu, healthy oils like olive and coconut, and superfood powders like spirulina, maca, hemp and more. That’s not to say I didn’t gobble up vegan donuts and fried chik’n every now and again, but my every day diet was clean, healthy, colorful and balanced.
Supplements
Vegans might be thinking, well what about supplements? Trust me, I tried! 16 years is a very significant amount of time to experiment with supplements. I got my blood tests and saw my nutrient levels, and was low in iron, D and B vitamins. I tried many different brands of B12, D3, chia and flax oil, iron, biotin, zinc, and multis at the recommended doses in the recommended ratios for years at a time to no avail. It helped but it certainly was not eliminating my issues. I will say Garden of Life has my favorite B12 and D3 (which I still take). But, it was very frustrating to try and spend all this time and money with minimal results. I was getting very upset and, though I didn’t want to believe it, I knew I needed to take another step.
How I took the leap to veggan
It wasn’t until 2016, 12 years of veganism, that I started to debate adding eggs to my diet. When I did research about foods for hair health and energy, eggs kept coming at the top. It made sense, since what I lacked (biotin, protein, B12, D and more) eggs contained in significant quantities in a super bioavailable form. However, I was stubborn and absolutely hated the thoughts of adding eggs to my diet.
For 4 years, I kept going back and forth in my mind about whether or not to add eggs. Sometimes I’d think to myself, “Gina, just STFU and deal with it and continue being vegan.” And other times I’d think “but you’re physical and emotional wellness, G! Eat eggs!” I thought I was being superficial and petty by adding eggs just because of feeling tired and not looking the way I wanted. But, it was starting to affect my mood and quality of life.
Ultimately, I decided my health and happiness matters and in 2020 found a brand of local, humane, pasture-raised eggs, hard boiled them, said a prayer of acknowledgment and gratitude and ate two. Though I cried hysterically the first several times eating eggs, I knew I was making the right decision. And now I can say I’m rarely tired, the whites of my eyes are white as can be, and my hair has regained its strength and volume.
How I maintain ethical standards as a veggan
Choosing eggs. The number one thing I make sure of when choosing eggs is that they are humanely-sourced. I eat only pasture-raised eggs (108 sq feet of pasture per bird) that have either a Certified Humane of American Humane Certified label. Plus, I prefer organic and non-GMO where possible as well. I also trust the Certified Humane label more than the American Humane Certified so I opt for those wherever possible. There are many pasture-raised egg brands I trust, and I always opt for ones that are local when possible. I also contact/call the farm when in doubt. I avoid caged (conventional), cage-free and free range as they do not meet my ethical criteria. That being said, I do know there are some trustworthy free range brands out there but be sure to do your research.
Consuming eggs. When it comes to consuming eggs, I make them only at home (so I know that they are humane eggs), and only in whole form. I primarily eat them hard-boiled tho occasionally consume in other ways (like veggan omelets and scrambles). Because I eat eggs for health reasons only, I do not use eggs in any baked goods or for binding. It is extremely easy to bake vegan so in my opinion there is no excuse to use eggs for baking — I consider that to fall under overconsumption and unnecessary consumption. I eat only the amount I need for health reasons, which is 1-2 every day or every other day.
Takeaway
As I mentioned, everyone is different. Some people can be totally healthy as a vegan and others can’t. However, this is not an excuse to mindlessly eat animal products. Eat only what you need at the frequency and in the portions appropriate for your body. Overconsumption is the real tragedy of this society, so we want to steer clear of that in all areas of our diet and life.
It was a very difficult and emotional decision for me to add eggs. But I had to honor my body. I still sometimes hate myself and feel like a bad person for eating eggs, but I know I do so as mindfully and humanely possible. And my body so needs and appreciates every last pasture-raised, humane-certified egg I consume. You need to ask yourself, what is the very least amount of harm I can do to the animals and the planet, while providing the most health benefit to myself?
Being an ethical veggan was an amazing solution for my health challenges with veganism. For you, the solution may be different. But I thought it was important to share my story. Be mindful, know your body, and eat as humanely as possible considering both your health and the wellbeing of all sentient beings.
the vEGGan 
This is so helpful. 19yr vegan. Just ate my second organic, pasture raised egg today. Same issues. Same
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Aw yes it is such a difficult decision to make but I’ve found lasting benefits for which I’m forever grateful to every last egg! Wishing you health and love. Let me know how it goes 🙂
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Vegan for 23 years, similar to you, when I was 13 I decided I couldn’t eat animals. I’m healthy, I eat fresh whole foods and love what I eat, never feel deprived. Lately I’ve been considering adding eggs due to low vit d , trouble conceiving and feeling an over reliance on nuts for protein. Plus being told I should stay away from soy (I often tempeh) for allergen reasons. I never really liked eggs anyway so I’m not sure I’d be able to eat them that much (only hard boiled lol) and it feels so emotional to change this , like being vegan is a part of who I am and I don’t want people on the outside to think it “doesn’t work”. I would love to have my own chickens but since I can’t atm, trusting the store options that claim organic and free range is what I’ll have to do. Anyway, I’m not quite there yet with my decision but it was really helpful and supportive to read your article. Don’t hate yourself, your consciousness & compassion around how and why you eat them is awesome. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much for this thoughtful and kind comment, it brought a smile to my face. Yes that’s part of the trouble I absolutely don’t ever want people to think I’m saying you can’t be vegan and healthy, you absolutely can. But regardless I felt it was important to share this for anyone going through a similar ethical dilemma to help navigate together to a vibrant and compassionate place. It’s been a struggle and I also don’t eat eggs for enjoyment they gross me out quite a bit, too. But my gratitude remains and I’m never complacent in my human responsibility to leave a lighter footprint. Whatever decision you land on, I’m just grateful people like you exist! Btw I’m also a tempeh lover! But lentils and quinoa do the trick for me too 🙂
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Thank you for sharing this thoughtful and personal post. I have been struggling with same things, very low Vit D. I was contemplating adding only every other day and definitely not for baking. It is a struggle for all the reasons you listed. I am hoping to source from a local friend with pet chickens. Do you know if the humane certification you recommend allows “disposal” of male chicks?
It is unfortunate but I have found there are so many loopholes. A few years ago, a humane local goat milk soap vendor caught my daughter’s eye at a craft fair. My daughter asked her a few questions and the lady said the goats were her babies and had a heated barn. They were pampered and part of the family. I walked over and asked her what happens to the males and she said they go to the auction for meat right after birth. So I will just leave that right there. My daughter was horrified and I explained that is why we don’t use any animal products because there can be a dichotomy of how people will treat a male vs a female animal, a dog vs a cow, etc.
I am so cautious because it is my responsibility for what I consume, my footprint, and how I support an industry with my time and money. As you said, being responsible for our choices is key and I appreciate how you are educating people in such a caring and thoughtful manner. Kudos!
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Hello and warm greetings 💜 It fills me with hope to hear mindful humans like you also teaching the next generation to be compassionate and aware. It is so tricky to navigate so I definitely agree knowing your egg farmer directly is the best bet because the big companies really don’t have full transparency or accountability, which is really difficult for me. Ever trip to the market is such an exercise in awareness and exercising our right to choose and support humane companies. Thank you for connecting here in the World Wide Web 🙏
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I woke up today really feeling it and came across your article after searching the web. I debated if I was going to eat eggs and certain fish, now I’m deciding to do so for my health. So thank you and I only been vegan for about 2 years now. So thank you and much love.
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Hi Bam 🙂 thank you for your kind words and for living in consciousness and love 💜 happy new year
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Can you mention the health benefits you’ve experienced after adding eggs back in? I’ve been vegan for 11 years and am contemplating adding them back as well. Thanks
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Hi there Stacey! 💜 First I want to say of course it is not a miracle solution or anything, but with around 4-6 organic pasture raised eggs per week, usually hardboiled, I have experienced steadier energy levels (less fatigue overall for sure) and also my hair feels stronger and looks shinier/fuller overall. The whites of my eyes seem whiter but I do not have a direct correlation to eggs for that. I hope this helps and wishing you compassion and love. There is always still a moral quandary in my heart eating them, but I am grateful for the benefits it brought me.
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So thankful for this article! I’ve been feeling my emotional and physical health plummet. Been vegan for 14 years but also have since developed a ton of food allergies, wheat, beans and sesame. Knocks out a ton of sources of protein and vitamins, and all the supplements and protein powders I take are so expensive and hard to keep up with, and I STILL lack in protein after all that. Did you feel stomach sick at all after reintroducing eggs after so long? I’m worried my stomach won’t be able to digest them. My neighbors have chickens that just hang out in their back yard, they offer my mom and I eggs all the time. I’m considering it but mostly scared of feeling sick after eating them
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Hello there 💜 the question that comes to mind is did you have any egg allergy of any sort before you were vegan that you know of? I can only speak for myself and I never had an egg allergy as a child and when I reintroduced eggs I had no adverse reaction at all in any part of my body. Every one is very different though, so I can’t say for sure in your case. I am sorry to hear you’ve hit a wellness wall and I hope you find the best solution soon to feel your best!! That is amazing that your neighbor has eggs and you can actually see the hens; does not get better than that. Wishing you love and healing.
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