How to Be a Vegetarian in a Meat-Eating Family

Being a vegetarian in a meat-eating family can certainly be challenging. This is mainly because of the stereotype that a vegan diet is less nutritious. Also, because it gets difficult to decide on a different meal every time around when your meat-eating family is planning to eat.

Contrary to the traditional belief; let me tell you that a vegan diet can be equally nutritious to the meat-based diet, as a matter of fact, it can be more beneficial for your health in the long run. Also, it’s not very difficult to adapt to a vegan diet in a meat-eating family, as there are several easy-to-make recipes available.

In today’s article, we will try to understand the tips on how to be a vegetarian in a meat-eating family.

The below-listed tips will help you gain confidence in your choice of becoming a vegetarian. Also, it will help you retain a strong bond with your family members despite the differences in diet.

Constantly Eat Together as a Family

The fact that you are a vegetarian should not make you have a separate meal time from your family. Eating together as a family is important. It will prevent other members of the family who are not vegetarians from feeling awkward. 

Education

Arguments about your choice of food will come up once in a while. Once you are confident in the reasons for your decision, then you wouldn’t have a problem convincing family members about the health benefits and reasons for your choice. Your reasons may not make convince them to adapt to a vegetarian diet but certainly, it will make them understand your decision better.  

Compassion

It’s important to make your family members feel comfortable about eating non-vegan foods around you. Be compassionate and don’t judge them or try to prove that you are living a healthier life by being a vegetarian. Remember that it was a personal decision in the first place and it will be easier for them to accept your decision if they do not feel judged as well. 

Learn to Cook

During family get-togethers or parties, having your dish prepared separately is a great idea. The person making the meal might forget that there is a vegetarian amongst the family. Also, they may not like to take the stress of making extra dishes. Thus, knowing how to prepare your own meal makes you more independent in your vegan journey.

Make Vegan Friends

You should spend more time with people who are vegans like you are. Association of vegan friends can help you a lot in prospering into your vegan journey. You can discuss new recipes, set challenges, or best of all plan a vegan get-together. This will make your vegan journey more interesting.

TIP: You can always search for online groups, communities, channels where you can find several like minded people

Look for Meals That Everyone Can Eat

There are certain meals that both members of the meat-eating team and the vegetarian team can eat comfortably without issues.  So, look out for these meals from time to time and enjoy the same meal with other members of the family. 

Benefits of Being a Vegetarian

• Reduces toxic chemicals in the body
• Lessens risk of stroke and obesity 
• Provides you with a glowing skin 
• Strengthens cardiac health  

Fun Vegetarian Recipes You Should Try

• This tofu scramble is perfectly spiced and it takes only 15 minutes to get it ready
• Love smoothies? Try this silken tofu berry smoothie. You will love it
• Are you in love with chocolates? Then you need to make this irresistible silken tofu and chocolate mousse pie
• Making this brown rice pasta with broccoli and kale isn’t rocket science, you can get it ready in a few minutes with easy instructions
• Get creative with vegan brown rice crackers, vegan coconut ice-cream and vegan frozen raspberries yogurt bars