So here you are surrounded by your friends having fun, doing what you guys like to do. Then it happens, it’s time to eat. And maybe you know in advance or this is your first time hearing it… your vegetarian/vegan friend pipes up and orders, the one item on the menu they can eat. You probably feel a little guilty not taking them a place they would have more options or want to eat, but then again it would not only be harder to find a place to eat but you probably couldn’t stomach the food they were serving at the weird restaurant anyways.
Unfortunately, this happens a lot more than you would think. Somethings you could do to help out that vegetarian/vegan friend or if you happen to meet one for the first time:
1) Don’t ask why they don’t eat meat. You will be the 1 millionth customer asking the exact same question and it immediately puts them on the defense about their life habits to you and anyone standing around. And just like politics and religion, animal rights is not an easy subject.It’s always heated and severely opinionated (on both sides meat eater and non meat eater alike). Let’s be real, no one ever asks you why you eat meat, so return the favor and don’t ask the no meat eater the same question.
2) Don’t try converting your no meat eater to eating meat. No one likes to be preached to and the argument is falling on deaf ears. Chances are your no meat eater has been that way for quite sometime, is accustomed to their life style and if they wanted to change would have undoubtedly done so on their own without your help. This works the other way around too….don’t preach or try to convert a meat eater–for the exact same reasons.
3) Don’t tell the no meat eater how much meat you do an do not eat. Honestly, the no meat eater doesn’t care if all someone eats is just chicken and once and awhile a hamburger, and really they’ve been thinking about not eating meat. You eat meat, the end. Don’t try to relate to their eating habits, it’s completely unnecessary and unwanted.
4) Surprise them with a vegan/vegetarian restaurant. They’re used to eating where everyone else wants to eat, and being the weird one out, with only very limited options for food to eat. Try some new food and new places to eat. I promise it won’t be as icky as you think it is and your vegan/vegetarian will thank you.
5) Last but not least, here are 5 foods you can keep as the snacks around the house for them:
- Pretzels – it’s that easy.
- Pop Tarts– the unfrosted variety- the frosted ones have whey and/or gelatin (a no no for vegans)
- Betty Crocker Bac-Os for their salad –that’s right those bacon flavored bits don’t even have bacon in it 🙂
- Oreos— WHAT? Yes my friends, it’s widely know in the no meat eating community as one of the top guilty pleasures
- Krispey Kreme – Glazed Apple Pie -store bought apple flavored fruit pie. Need I say more??
Marie's Meanderings 