Why do some vegetarians eat meat after getting drunk?

A large number of vegetarians have admitted to eating meat when intoxicated. Research has shown that one-third of vegetarians consume meat when drunk, and 69% of those who do keep it a secret from friends and family.

Among those who have consumed animals while intoxicated, 39% said they ate sausages, 34% opted for beef burgers, and 27% admitted to eating bacon. But why does this happen?

Some time ago, the University of Liverpool investigated why we crave fast food when we’ve been drinking, observing the influence of alcohol on energy intake and dietary restraint.

They found that after 50 students drank vodka with lemonade, they consumed more cookies than those who received a placebo drink, which they attributed to weakened inhibitory control. In other words, being drunk impairs our ability to say no.

Many people believe there are two reasons why we crave unhealthy food. One is that it’s salty and full of “crunch” – crispy chips, crunchy bacon. Others say that the craving results from the body’s demand for specific macronutrients.

That addictive blend of fats, sugars, and proteins is irresistible to our brains. And because of that mixture, we believe we’re getting nutrients – even though we never actually feel satisfied from it.

According to Science, another factor is our production of something called galanin. Galanin is a neuropeptide – a very small protein found mainly in the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. When you drink, alcohol increases the amount of galanin in your brain.

So, consuming fatty foods and alcohol causes your body to produce more galanin, which, in turn, drives you to eat more fat and drink more alcohol. In other words, it’s a vicious cycle!