A lot of people these days give up meat for health reasons and others because of their principles.

A new study found out that four-fifths of Americans that took to a vegetarian diet eventually went back to eating meat. Many people can't resist a bacon sandwich, according to the study.

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Researchers from the Humane Research Council (HRC) and Harris International revealed 84 percent of vegetarians and vegans eventually gave up their dietary choice. About 53 percent of them started to eat meat again within a year while 30 percent relapsed within just three months.

Three years ago, HRC studied the factors involved in a person's decision to become a vegetarian or a vegan. They discovered both dietary groups chose not to eat meat. Vegans avoid consuming animal products and vegetarians include dairy products and eggs in their diets.

The research stated vegetarian and vegan decided to back to their old lifestyle because they lacked support from their meat-eating friends; didn't like being the weird and couldn't resist cravings for meat.

The HRC survey involved 11,000 Americans. Two percent of this total said they don't consume meat at all and 88 percent didn't try being vegans or vegetarians. Another 12 percent did try the vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. Five out of six went back to eating meat at some point.

According to New York nutritionist Lisa Young, people that gave up meat and suddenly ate meat again can be harmed by this decision.

"They say, 'I'm never going to eat that again'. If you start by eating smaller portions of pork or chicken, then cutting out all meat and dairy for a month, you can get a better feel for it," said Young, who warns against an all-or-nothing approach.

The study has some good news, however. Researchers said 37 percent of lapsed vegetarians and vegans have the desire to go back to their non-meat diet in the near future.

TagsVegan, Vegetarian, meat eater, non-meat, dairy products, eggs, vegan diet, vegetarian diet