Socializing. We all do it, and it often centers around the wonderful world of food. Pot lucks, open houses, parties, family dinners, brunches, lunch dates, work functions, cookie swaps – I could go on.
For someone following a vegan, vegetarian, or a raw food diet, as well someone with celiac disease, food allergies, or food intolerances, attending events like these can lead to confusion or stress. For both you and your host.
As a vegan I deal with the potlucks where the conceptually challenged meat eater insists there is no meat in their dish, yet bits of chicken are visible. The friend who thought they were doing you a favor by making a vegetable soup only to find out they used chicken stock. Or the restaurant menu that’s lacking even one good vegan option besides straight up greens salad {not a good vegan option}.
Whether you’re a newcomer to your new diet or an old pro, here are some things to think about before exiting your home to socialize. I’ll use my own experience with veganism as an example, but any other dietary restriction can be substituted for vegan.
GIVE YOUR HOST A HEADS UP. Provided your invitation to this occasion involving food has come with some notice, you also will have plenty of time to talk with your host. Depending on your situation people may or may not know your dietary preferences. If a meal is being provided take some time to acknowledge your eating style with your host and be very specific with what you do and do not eat.
Instead of expecting your host to change the menu, why not offer to bring a dish that would suit your needs. This will take the pressure off the host to provide you with a special meal and it will leave you feeling comfortable that you wont spend the night hungry.
You could say: “I’m really excited about {event}, but I want to let you know that I don’t eat anything derived from an animal. So that’s meat, fish, dairy, eggs and no butter. I’d be so excited if I could cook something though. Shall I bring a main dish or a side0?”
CHOOSE RESTAURANTS WISELY. If you’re like me, you know which restaurants in your neighborhood have items available for you and which don’t. If you have yet to compile your list, start now!
Offering up a few suggestions of places to eat and having the other half of the party make the final cut ensures that you will all be satisfied. It can be stressful, especially on an empty stomach, scanning a menu and seeing extremely limited choices.
You could say: “There are about 4 restaurants in this neighborhood that I really love. Any one of them would be a great choice for {meal}.”
SCAN RESTAURANT MENUS BEFORE THE BIG DAY. If you didn't have a choice of which restaurant you are attending, as is the case with large groups, birthdays or work events, see if you can find a website for the restaurant online. This way, you’ll be able to scan the menu for options before the big event.
If you don’t see many choices, maybe you’ll eat something ahead of time and chose a salad for dinner. But in most cases, even with minimal choice on a menu, it’s likely that the kitchen would be accommodating and adapt some of the dishes to suit you.
Any pasta can turn into a vegan feast and salads, pizzas or stir fries are all easy to put together without much fuss. Be gentle yet specific with your server and if the restaurant steps up to the challenge, chances are you’ll end up with a meal that the other guests will covet.
You could say: “It’s often difficult for me to find something to eat on menus. I don’t eat any meat or fish, dairy or eggs, also butter. I noticed the pastas looks delicious. Could you ask your chef to prepare this one in a vegan style?”
BRING A STASH. We all know that life can surprise us, even with the best of planning. The wedding dinner didn’t have enough vegetarian options, the finger food potluck was nothing but fried pepperoni and crab dip, or your new date insisted on a surprise dinner at the local steakhouse {does he listen?}. For this, I say, bring a stash.
In my purse at all times I have raw almonds and some sort of vegan energy bar. You could throw in half a sandwich, some dried fruit and nuts, an apple or some carrots. A little something to tide you over can make a big difference to your stomach, and brain, keeping you calm and happy.
Being social and eating out isn’t something you want to pass on. Don’t let the traditional and typical food world threaten you. Voice your wants and needs and you may just see some changes to your local menu, grocery stores and friends’ houses sooner than you think.
For someone following a vegan, vegetarian, or a raw food diet, as well someone with celiac disease, food allergies, or food intolerances, attending events like these can lead to confusion or stress. For both you and your host.
As a vegan I deal with the potlucks where the conceptually challenged meat eater insists there is no meat in their dish, yet bits of chicken are visible. The friend who thought they were doing you a favor by making a vegetable soup only to find out they used chicken stock. Or the restaurant menu that’s lacking even one good vegan option besides straight up greens salad {not a good vegan option}.
Whether you’re a newcomer to your new diet or an old pro, here are some things to think about before exiting your home to socialize. I’ll use my own experience with veganism as an example, but any other dietary restriction can be substituted for vegan.
GIVE YOUR HOST A HEADS UP. Provided your invitation to this occasion involving food has come with some notice, you also will have plenty of time to talk with your host. Depending on your situation people may or may not know your dietary preferences. If a meal is being provided take some time to acknowledge your eating style with your host and be very specific with what you do and do not eat.
Instead of expecting your host to change the menu, why not offer to bring a dish that would suit your needs. This will take the pressure off the host to provide you with a special meal and it will leave you feeling comfortable that you wont spend the night hungry.
You could say: “I’m really excited about {event}, but I want to let you know that I don’t eat anything derived from an animal. So that’s meat, fish, dairy, eggs and no butter. I’d be so excited if I could cook something though. Shall I bring a main dish or a side0?”
CHOOSE RESTAURANTS WISELY. If you’re like me, you know which restaurants in your neighborhood have items available for you and which don’t. If you have yet to compile your list, start now!
Offering up a few suggestions of places to eat and having the other half of the party make the final cut ensures that you will all be satisfied. It can be stressful, especially on an empty stomach, scanning a menu and seeing extremely limited choices.
You could say: “There are about 4 restaurants in this neighborhood that I really love. Any one of them would be a great choice for {meal}.”
SCAN RESTAURANT MENUS BEFORE THE BIG DAY. If you didn't have a choice of which restaurant you are attending, as is the case with large groups, birthdays or work events, see if you can find a website for the restaurant online. This way, you’ll be able to scan the menu for options before the big event.
If you don’t see many choices, maybe you’ll eat something ahead of time and chose a salad for dinner. But in most cases, even with minimal choice on a menu, it’s likely that the kitchen would be accommodating and adapt some of the dishes to suit you.
Any pasta can turn into a vegan feast and salads, pizzas or stir fries are all easy to put together without much fuss. Be gentle yet specific with your server and if the restaurant steps up to the challenge, chances are you’ll end up with a meal that the other guests will covet.
You could say: “It’s often difficult for me to find something to eat on menus. I don’t eat any meat or fish, dairy or eggs, also butter. I noticed the pastas looks delicious. Could you ask your chef to prepare this one in a vegan style?”
BRING A STASH. We all know that life can surprise us, even with the best of planning. The wedding dinner didn’t have enough vegetarian options, the finger food potluck was nothing but fried pepperoni and crab dip, or your new date insisted on a surprise dinner at the local steakhouse {does he listen?}. For this, I say, bring a stash.
In my purse at all times I have raw almonds and some sort of vegan energy bar. You could throw in half a sandwich, some dried fruit and nuts, an apple or some carrots. A little something to tide you over can make a big difference to your stomach, and brain, keeping you calm and happy.
Being social and eating out isn’t something you want to pass on. Don’t let the traditional and typical food world threaten you. Voice your wants and needs and you may just see some changes to your local menu, grocery stores and friends’ houses sooner than you think.