Becoming a vegan is not as easy as it sounds because it is not just a lifestyle change. Whenever you change your lifestyle, the people around you are also affected. Thus, they may not take kindly to you switching to a vegan diet, and you may also have trouble having meals with non-vegans.
Despite this problem, it is possible to stick to a vegan diet and keep your relationships strong at the same time. To help you get there, here are a few simple tips on how to keep your relationships with your non-vegan family and friends smooth and peaceful while enjoying your vegan life.
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Living With Non-Vegans: Tips & Tricks
1. Accept your differences in diet
Being a vegan has its benefits, and veganism is free from animal cruelty, but it is important to remember that other people have their own dietary preferences. Due to this, the best way to roll is to continue with your vegan diet and let them continue with their lifestyles.
Acceptance of their food choices will most likely allow them to be more open-minded with regards to veganism. Thus, even if they will not follow you in your new lifestyle, at least they will accept — and respect — your preferences.
2. Don’t get too personal about it
Even if you accept the dietary preferences of your family and friends, some might still not accept your vegan lifestyle. This is because people have a tendency to feel uncomfortable around alternative lifestyles, for they may feel that your lifestyle is a threat to theirs. Understand where they are coming from and try not to take their skepticism personally.
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3. Take them out to a vegan dinner
People tend to be skeptical of things they do not understand, so let your non-vegan loved ones experience your vegan lifestyle by taking them to eat at a vegan restaurant. Or even better, cook them a delicious vegan homecooked meal.
This will allow them to get to know your lifestyle better, at least for one meal. Sharing your life with others is key to happy living, and allowing them to share a bit of your vegan life is one way for them to know and accept you more.
And who knows they’ll take up “Meatless Monday’s” or become a flexitarian over time. People often think vegan food is boring and has no taste. Prove them wrong. Instead of trying to get them to the plant-based side by constantly talking about it, lure them to our side with delicious vegan meals.
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4. Compromise
If they do not want to try eating at a vegan restaurant, that’s still okay. Again, you don’t have to push or force them to do or eat something they don’t want. You can prepare vegan meals for yourself at home, and let them prepare non-vegan meals for themselves.
Your non-vegan loved ones won’t urge you to eat non-vegan dishes, so don’t be judgemental or pushy either — just let them order what they like when eating out. What matters here is that you come up with a compromise that allows you to live a happy life with the people you love.
5. Have fun with your vegan life
Finally, enjoy and embrace your vegan life, and stick to it, so when your family and friends see the benefits of your lifestyle, they may want to try it from time to time.
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Even though living with non-vegans may be hard, it is still possible to coexist harmoniously with them while sticking to your vegan lifestyle.
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
