How to Be Vegan in a Meat-Eating World

When it comes to being vegan or vegetarian, you're bound to be in some social situation where there isn't food to accommodate you.  Sometimes you luck out.  Other times you have to compromise.  And in the worst case scenario, you're screwed.

If you're at a cocktail party, the fruit and veggie tray will be your saving grace.  Also go for chips and salsa.  Tortilla chips and salsa don't usually have high fructose corn syrup in them either.  Obviously steer clear of dips or anything white because they're probably loaded with milk or cheese.

If you're at a wedding, request the vegetarian meal.  It will likely have cheese or dairy.  There's not much you can do about that but suck it up and eat it, or not get a meal at all.  I've realized that it's hard to be 100% vegan, and you frequently have to compromise.  Just remember that it's only one meal.

If it's potluck, bring something that you'll eat and everyone else will too.  You don't want to be that person who brings the weird vegan dish that only you will eat.  Some good ideas are vegetable-based dishes, salads, hummus and pita bread, or a fruit dessert.

If it's a work function, chances are that you won't have many options.  Your office will likely offer a veggie sandwich during the lunchtime meeting.  But it will probably already have cheese and mayonnaise on it.  Or it might be tuna fish-- which isn't vegetarian, but sometimes carnivores think it's the equivalent.  Since it's just lunch and the meeting will probably be an hour tops, my advice is to eat before or after the meeting.  Also, if your coworker brings in something to share for everyone, just avoid it altogether.  Unless it's your vegan coworker.

If you're at a restaurant with limited options, ask extremely politely if they can accommodate you.  My favorite local restaurant has a vegetarian sandwich made with veggies sauteed in butter, and a pesto aioli (translation: pesto mayonnaise).  Instead, they will make it for me with olive oil, and leave off the pesto aioli altogether.  I'm such a regular at the restaurant that I don't even have to ask anymore, they just know!  Remember though, it's harder to find menu options to fit your lifestyle if you're eating in a smaller town.

If you're traveling, this gets a little trickier.  It's not impossible, but it can be challenging.  Carry nutrition bars and nuts with you, and eat lots of fruit.  That's pretty easy to find anywhere.  Remember that you're traveling for the experience, so sometimes it's better to have that and bend a little when it comes to food. Don't get me wrong-- I'm not saying to eat the roast lamb while you're in Greece, or indulge on beef in Argentina-- I'm just saying don't miss out on the culture because of food neuroses.  Also remember that while other parts of the world do consume meat as well, America is one of the places very heavily dependent on animal products.  So if you're overseas, especially in Asian countries, you shouldn't have too many problems finding veg dishes.

Above all, remember that these are your food choices and this is your lifestyle.  Not everyone or everywhere will be accommodating.  Just remember to smile and be polite.  It goes a long way.