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Lucie Johnson from London, United Kingdom, wants to show people that a plant-based diet isn't boring. To do so, the 29-year-old set up an Instagram account called Ugly Vegan where she shares photos of greasy fry-ups, pasta, bread, and other enjoyable vegan options.

Don't get the wrong impression. Lucie isn't trying to get others to eat unhealthily, rather, to make veganism more attractive by highlighting that people don't need to give up their favorite dishes if they want to get their food from more ethical sources.

More info: Instagram

#1

Spotted At Xmas Party

Spotted At Xmas Party

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dutchvanzandt avatar
Dutch VanZandt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the awareness of veganism in the UK has changed a great deal in the past five years and there are usually a good selection of vegan/vegetarian offerings at most gatherings now...

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Lucie herself has become a vegan for a number of reasons. "Firstly, I was hit by a lightbulb moment where I started caring about what I was putting inside my body," she told Bored Panda. "Pre-veganism, I lived off a diet of bread, pasta, cheese and bacon. I [was feeling awful] all the time and decided I'd start to eat a little more consciously so adopted more vegetables and variety into my diet. At this point, I was kind of blind to the ethical/moral side of veganism but was surprised how quickly I felt better and realized pretty quickly that if I was to be so vain to care about what was going inside my body, I should also be caring about the bodies I was putting into myself."

#2

Cursed Summer Rolls

Cursed Summer Rolls

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JessG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love that the sprig of parsley is there....putting lipstick on a pig

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It was then that she started to become more aware of the environmental issues of veganism and quickly turned her back on the dairy and meat industry. "I was pretty much winging this 'diet' and if I could go back in time and seek more nutritional advice, I totally would've but I learned the ropes eventually," Lucie explained. "Not only did I feel like I was making a more positive impact on myself and the environment, I found joy in cooking plant-based meals and seeking adventures to try new things. It made eating, cooking, and trying new cuisines and products fun and sociable for me, and completely transformed my relationship with food."

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The woman created Ugly Vegan about 5 years ago, when veganism still had a "super narrow" depiction in society and on social media. "It painted itself as an exclusive 'diet' for yoga-moms, extreme preachy vegans, and people who had enough money to shop in Whole Foods," Lucie said. "My feed was bombarded with toxic diet imagery and language, and all of the vegan 'food' I was looking at was inaccessible, unaffordable and seemed to neglect my idea of veganism. I was vegan because I [really cared] about the planet I live on, and the living beings inside it; I wasn't here to lose weight or do sun salutations or eat seeds and berries I couldn't afford, I was just eating food that was kind, tasted good, and filled my body."

#4

Summer Rolls To Ruin Your Day

Summer Rolls To Ruin Your Day

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dutchvanzandt avatar
Dutch VanZandt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No thanks... I'd rather just eat the beans out of the tin. I do like beans on buttered toast.

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Needless to say, Lucie found the existing vegan pages a little alienating. Ugly Vegan was supposed to be a way of poking fun at them, "using vulgar captions and ugly photography to juxtapose the 'beauty' in everyone elses' buddha bowls while showing a more realistic side of veganism."

"An amazing network of likeminded vegans was quickly formed, and the ugly vegan community was born. Although junk food veganism is more prevalent now, and veganism has a much wider audience, people still find it comforting to discover that this type of veganism exists. I'm still here to put a middle finger up at toxic diet culture on social media, and I'm still here to show that veganism can be silly and fun," Lucie said.

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#5

Why Toast When U Can Roast

Why Toast When U Can Roast

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While working on the project, she has learned that veganism is about kindness. "Vegans have had a bad rep since day dot, and is often the reason that people are scared to take the plunge initially. But honestly, [almost all] of the people I've come into contact with through ugly vegan have been wonderful, kind, compassionate and smart human beings ... Although the vegan world has exploded recently, it's hard to forget that the main reason we're vegan is because we're kind and we care."

#6

Call My Next Record Carb Wound

Call My Next Record Carb Wound

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CrunChewy McSandybutt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, serious question for the Brits: baked beans are pretty popular in the UK? I mean, they seem to be on everything if the I was to believe the internet.

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According to some studies, as many as 84 percent of people who have adopted vegetarianism or veganism at some point in their lives have gone back to eating meat. Lucie, however, said she'd love to think that this statistic has changed. In her opinion, veganism has become much more accessible in the past couple of years. "It's definitely a daunting thing to 'go without' our creature comforts, and for a long time, there were no replacements for these kinds of things but now I can honestly find a direct -- and most importantly, delicous -- replacement for absolutely anything, and new mind-blowing products are coming out on a daily basis.

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#8

When We Took Gregg To Spoons

When We Took Gregg To Spoons

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Dutch VanZandt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gregg's vegan rolls are quite good apparently... I liked the version The Pound Bakery sells.

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#9

Hello I Will Unfollow Myself Now

Hello I Will Unfollow Myself Now

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Carol Emory
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a way to improve this. Forks over Knives has a recipe that is: One flour tortilla, one sliced up banana, the nut butter of your choice..a drizzle of agave syrup or a dollop or two of your favorite preserves and then sprinkle liberally with your favorite granola. It is yummy..but very high in calories.

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#10

Im Not Okay

Im Not Okay

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FatBaby
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother would not have a problem eating this especially since all he really eats is ramen, packaged hotdogs, pizza, or cereal. (I guess he's getting prepared for college life)

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#12

Me When I Make A Vague Effort

Me When I Make A Vague Effort

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#13

Sausage Rolls Royce

Sausage Rolls Royce

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#14

Baked Bean Sushi

Baked Bean Sushi

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JessG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh come on, why all the beans? There are plenty sushi rolls with veggies...

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#15

Do Peas In Holes Make U Nervous Bc Me Too

Do Peas In Holes Make U Nervous Bc Me Too

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#18

When Bloggers Take Their Food Outside For The Pap

When Bloggers Take Their Food Outside For The Pap

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#19

We Ordered The Truffle Mac Not Crack, The Buffalo Soldier And Some Sexy Garlic Knots. Safe To Say They Made Sure I Ate So Much That I Went Temporarily Blind + Was Successfully Able To Ward Off Vampires W/ The Amount Of Garlic Consumed. Beautiful Pizza & Imaginative + Thoughtful Options. All Vegan, All Ridiculous, All F**king Delicious

We Ordered The Truffle Mac Not Crack, The Buffalo Soldier And Some Sexy Garlic Knots. Safe To Say They Made Sure I Ate So Much That I Went Temporarily Blind + Was Successfully Able To Ward Off Vampires W/ The Amount Of Garlic Consumed. Beautiful Pizza & Imaginative + Thoughtful Options. All Vegan, All Ridiculous, All F**king Delicious

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#20

Its Chanel

Its Chanel

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#23

Literally Baked A Breakfast Inside A Loaf Im Screaming

Literally Baked A Breakfast Inside A Loaf Im Screaming

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chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand how this would make someone want to be vegan. That does not look appetizing.

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#24

I Put Mash Peas And Gravy Inside Gregg And Then I Put All Of It Inside Me. Clever

I Put Mash Peas And Gravy Inside Gregg And Then I Put All Of It Inside Me. Clever

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#25

“Feckin Wiener Exploded”

“Feckin Wiener Exploded”

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#27

It A Salad Bowl

It A Salad Bowl

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#28

Have Both

Have Both

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elia 84631
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember a SpongeBob episode(SpongeBob you're fired) clip when SpongeBob tried to make pizza pizza at an italian restaurant while he was unemployed and then the cooker fired him

#29

So Stoked To Announce My Collaboration With Carb Wizards

So Stoked To Announce My Collaboration With Carb Wizards

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earringnut
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The caption was meh but the evil emoji garnish was still worth an upvote.

#31

I Need To Go Home And Write This Burrito A F**king Sonnet

I Need To Go Home And Write This Burrito A F**king Sonnet

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#34

Kfg

Kfg

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#35

Beiged And Confused

Beiged And Confused

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#36

Taco Cat Spelt Backwards Is Naaaah Bruv

Taco Cat Spelt Backwards Is Naaaah Bruv

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#37

The End

The End

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#38

Crapsu Curry

Crapsu Curry

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#39

Ive Been Waiting For This

Ive Been Waiting For This

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#40

Get Urself Someone Who Does Both

Get Urself Someone Who Does Both

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#41

Hash Browns Beans N Fries Classic Caf Order Of Dreams

Hash Browns Beans N Fries Classic Caf Order Of Dreams

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#42

Bruv

Bruv

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#43

Hot Tub

Hot Tub

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#44

Jus Doing Some Fat Lines Ladz

Jus Doing Some Fat Lines Ladz

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#45

Keeping Up With The Carbashians

Keeping Up With The Carbashians

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#46

KFC X Gregg X Subway

KFC X Gregg X Subway

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#47

Merry Crabsmas - This Is The Ridiculous Crimbo Spesh

Merry Crabsmas - This Is The Ridiculous Crimbo Spesh

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BatMom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure what this is, but it looks like it tastes good

#48

Garlic Bread Hot Dog Nbd

Garlic Bread Hot Dog Nbd

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#49

The Second Photo Is A Black Metal Album Cover

The Second Photo Is A Black Metal Album Cover

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#50

Well I Guess This Is What Joy Looks Like

Well I Guess This Is What Joy Looks Like

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#51

Lasagne Del Rey

Lasagne Del Rey

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#52

These Are Cheeseburgers In Pastry And This Is Not A F**king Drill.

These Are Cheeseburgers In Pastry And This Is Not A F**king Drill.

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#54

Bagel Of Filth

Bagel Of Filth

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#55

Simplicity

Simplicity

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#56

I Am Art

I Am Art

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#57

My Caption Of Choice Today Is “Wet Hole”

My Caption Of Choice Today Is “Wet Hole”

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#58

Isolation Roof BBQ

Isolation Roof BBQ

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#59

Carbs Against Humanity

Carbs Against Humanity

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Aria Whitaker
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is awful. I wonder if she has even one artery that is not clogged? She seems to love fried, processed and carb-laden foods...just because they don't contain animal products does not mean it is healthy or good quality food. Yuck.

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#60

Its Real

Its Real

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#61

Dat Crunch

Dat Crunch

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Note: this post originally had 77 images. It’s been shortened to the top 61 images based on user votes.