How hard do you find it, being a vegetarian?

l.new

Marshmallows why oh why do they contain beef gelatineThat aside ,I really thought I would miss the smell of bacon now nothing really bothers me its just a way of life which I choose sometimes it's a pain when we go abroad just to see if there's something on the menu for me.

GreenBitterfly

Finding vegetarian marshmallows, is always a challenge, jelly/soft sweets I can usually find some in a shop which are vegetarian, but usually have to refuse when someone offers me them in a social environment, as they tend to be the Haribo stuff.

Justamum

GreenBitterfly wrote: »

Finding vegetarian marshmallows, is always a challenge, jelly/soft sweets I can usually find some in a shop which are vegetarian, but usually have to refuse when someone offers me them in a social environment, as they tend to be the Haribo stuff.

Holland and Barrett sell vegan marshmallows. Pretty expensive though - as is the vegan fudge you can buy.

Mind you I never liked either so I don't miss them (one piece of fudge gives me a blinding headache - too much sugar)

jackyann

Haven't read all of this thread, but wanted to say that as I grew up with old-fashioned vegetarians (my parents' friends) it never occurred to me to ask what a vegetarian was.
However, in the 40+ years I have been running my own house and catering / entertaining, I have also fed all of the following:

don't eat meat, but happy with gravy, meat stock, and will eat from a mixed dish, just not take the meat
will happily eat fish
various cultural / religious dietary restrictions that are more-or-less strictly observed ( I used to buy smoked salmon "approved by the Beth Din)

All have called themselves "vegetarian" as a sort of shorthand - annoying true vegetarians. That is why I now often ask "what do you mean?" (also annoying true vegetarians!)

I ( and a few friends) are fussy about the provenance of meat. In local pubs & good restaurants, the provenance is stated. I rarely go to a "chain" restaurant (we have few locally) but if I do then I will often order vegetarian if I'm unsure of the welfare standards.
Similarly, at a "catered" event I will sometimes put myself down as vege.

I also suggest that those concerned about the ingredients in manufactured foods contact the Vegetarian Society, who have a comprehensive list.

mrsinvisible

my son and his family come to stay with me for 2 weeks every Christmas/new year. He has become a vegan (last 2 years) l find making a special meal like a Christmas dinner for him very trying. l have to find a recipe and make it to be ready with everyone elses meal, cook his potatoes in non animal fat, not dripping, and make his gravy with vegetable stock only. l love him dearly, but dread finding 14 main meals with different ingredients, that can be made alongside other non vegan foods, that aren't all grains or legumes.

Justamum

mrsinvisible wrote: »

my son and his family come to stay with me for 2 weeks every Christmas/new year. He has become a vegan (last 2 years) l find making a special meal like a Christmas dinner for him very trying. l have to find a recipe and make it to be ready with everyone elses meal, cook his potatoes in non animal fat, not dripping, and make his gravy with vegetable stock only. l love him dearly, but dread finding 14 main meals with different ingredients, that can be made alongside other non vegan foods, that aren't all grains or legumes.

Why not ask him for some suggestions of what he would like to eat which are quick and easy to make? It's a bit much of him to expect you to do all that research on something you're not familiar with.

tori.k

I must be lucky I've been a vegetarian for a million years more of a lazy vegan nowadays as my body doesn't seem to tolerate animal products the older I get, Ive never had any issue ordering off menu if I didn't fancy the veggie option, it's just good communication mrsinvisible just ask you son what he eats at home does he expect a different meal everyday most people are happy to repeat meals in their meal plan's

rdone

Haven't read the whole thread as there's a lot to go through so sorry if I am repeating anything!

I'm vegan and have been for a number of years. I find this very easy as I am happy to check ingredients on packaging if I'm buying something that doesn't come form my local market stall. Even things that say Vegan on them I still check.

We eat out a lot and I will make sure that my meal is fully vegan e.g. no using utensils without throughly washing etc. Why should I not eat out just because I don't agree with animals for food?

I get offended when people who I do not know start making fun/questioning me as I do not question/make fun of them for eating murdered animal.

I also hate it when a meat eater says "but it's free range"... so what?! It's still dead. Or when a meat eater refuses to eat halal etc.

My H2B is a meat eater but we eat mainly vegan in the house for ease and he enjoys it. I have no issue with him eating meat in the house as long as I don't have to see it or touch it, I just don't look at his plate on the table and that's my choice. We have separate plates/pots/pans/cutlery/etc for the meat.

If someone came to my house for food who was a meat eater I would either cook something easy like curry where I can then split it and add meat or make them something like spag bol where they wouldn't know the difference. I say I, my H2B does all the cooking!

My auntie questioned me about any future children the other day and I said that I would bring them up as vegan but I'm sure my H2B would give them meat and dairy. She asked if this was me forcing my views on them and my mum replied saying that she forced her views on me as a meat eater when I was a child. This made me so happy as it made me realise how much my mum understands and respects what I am doing.

A few weeks ago we all went out for Sunday lunch to a local hotel after our banns had been read. We phoned up in advance to enquire about vegan as it was a 3 course set menu. When we arrived they said that it was only a main meal and it was curry but still expected me to pay the full price. After speaking to the manager my meal was free and we had 10% off everyone else's and we have since been in contact about an option for a 3 course Sunday lunch. If you speak to people in the correct manner the majority will respond positively.

It does still shock me sometimes though when I look at ingredients and find an animal product in there, such as cleaning products! All my make up/toiletries/cleaning products/etc are vegan as well.

I love being vegan and feel proud to be one. I am always happy to explore the subject with someone if they bring it up and are not negative towards me. I will always win if they become negative.

rdone

MSE_William wrote: »

I don't find it hard in the UK, but it can be difficult in other countries.

Someone once commented that I don't 'look' vegetarian, which was bizarre!

A farmer I know told me I look "healthy considering" the other day. I just smiled as I didn't want to cause an argument but seriously?!

rdone

To the conversation above about vegetarian food at buffets... all meat eaters will want to eat veggie stuff as well... so make the majority of a buffet veggie.