These days vegetarianism and veganism come in dozens of varieties. There are part-time vegans, flexitarians, and those who observe “Meatless Mondays,” just to name a few examples. And some of us (me included) take an approach according to which we try to reduce the harms inherent in eating animals by reducing consumption, rather than adhering to a strict rule. Whether that makes sense or not depends on the basis for your dietary restrictions.

Here’s an interesting discussion of the problem:

When Vegans Won’t Compromise, by By Bob Fischer and James McWilliams for the NY Times.

…Strict veganism, of course, would be better on all counts. But any tactic that aims to lower demand for animal bodies has a moral benefit — not because it’s the ideal, but precisely because it isn’t. These compromises are responses to reality that lower demand for animal products far more than the vegan fringe, however ideologically pure, ever could….