1 in 3 Vegetarians Eat Meat When Drunk

We've all heard the saying "what happens when drunk, stays when drunk." But according to a 2013 UK survey, what happens when some vegetarians get drunk is... they end up at a kebab shop.

A study of nearly 1,800 British vegetarians found that 37% admitted to eating meat while intoxicated. That's more than one in three people whose dietary principles apparently dissolve faster than their ability to walk in a straight line.

The Drunk Veggie Hierarchy of Shame

The survey didn't just stop at the confession. It broke down exactly what these tipsy vegetarians were sneaking:

• Kebabs topped the list (the late-night go-to)
• Bacon came in second (because apparently drunk brains crave salt and fat)
• Fried chicken rounded out the top three
• Even beef burgers made the shame list

Notice a pattern? Nothing here screams "carefully sourced, ethically raised protein." These are pure convenience foods that happen to be available when judgment is at its lowest.

Why Alcohol Turns Herbivores Into Carnivores

There's actual science behind drunk dietary betrayal. Alcohol doesn't just lower inhibitions—it disrupts the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for decision-making and sticking to long-term goals. When you're sober, you can resist that burger because you remember why you became vegetarian in the first place.

But add several pints? Your brain switches to immediate gratification mode. That kebab isn't a violation of your ethics anymore—it's a salty, greasy solution to your urgent hunger problem.

Plus, alcohol intensifies cravings for fatty, salty foods. Your body wants quick energy to process all that booze, and vegetables simply don't hit the same spot at 2 AM.

The Morning After

The survey also tracked the emotional aftermath. Most admitted feeling guilty the next day, with some even lying to friends about their late-night meat consumption. One respondent called it their "dirty little secret."

But here's the thing: this pattern isn't unique to the UK or to 2013. Anecdotal evidence from vegetarian communities worldwide confirms that alcohol-induced meat eating is a surprisingly common experience. Reddit threads and forum discussions are full of similar confessions.

What This Really Tells Us

This statistic isn't really about vegetarians being hypocrites. It's about how human willpower works—or more accurately, how it stops working when you're drunk.

Whether it's dietary choices, texting an ex, or impulse purchases, alcohol has a special talent for making bad ideas seem brilliant. The vegetarians eating drunk kebabs aren't that different from meat-eaters ordering food they'd never touch sober.

The only difference? Vegetarians have to face a choice that directly contradicts their stated values, making the lapse more noticeable and, frankly, more entertaining for survey results.