For both of us, veganism started from a place of care.

It helped us feel more connected to animals, nature and the planet. It made us think more deeply about where our food came from, pushed us to get creative in the kitchen, and gave us a sense that the way we ate reflected the kind of people we wanted to be.

But over time, things became a little more complicated.

In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when a way of eating becomes part of your identity, when ethics become entangled with restriction, and when changing your diet starts to feel like changing who you are.

Milli shares how veganism became woven into her eating disorder, giving restriction a socially acceptable explanation and making it even harder to recognise when “healthy” had gone too far. We talk about the guilt that came with reintroducing foods, the fear of being judged for stepping away from the label, and the freedom that came with creating a more flexible relationship with food.

We also explore the bigger conversation around the idea of a “perfect” diet. Is vegan automatically ethical? Is plant-based always sustainable? And can any way of eating exist without some impact on animals, people or the planet?

This episode isn’t about telling anyone to stop being vegan. Veganism can be a deeply meaningful and nourishing choice for many people.

For us, retiring the label didn’t mean retiring our compassion.

It meant learning to care about animals, the earth and our food systems while also making space for nourishment, pleasure, flexibility and trust in our own bodies.

You don’t need to follow a perfect diet to be a caring person. Your values are allowed to evolve, and your body’s needs are allowed to change.

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