“I’d Get So Bored On A Vegan Diet.”
Someone recently commented, “I’d just get so bored on a vegan diet.”
Ugh, how many times have I heard that one? It’s so frustrating because:
- They often don’t even realize it’s an insult. They’re saying vegans are boring. And they’re saying vegan food is bland.
- They usually don’t know what they’re talking about. They’ve probably never even heard of quinoa, seitan, tempeh, Celebration Roast, Candle 79, Millennium, and more vegan “secrets.” Besides, when was the last time they had an artichoke, an avocado, a mango, or asparagus? Have they ever even tried tofu more than once? And have they been to the supermarket lately? There’s vegan ice cream, vegan cheese, vegan yogurt, even vegan whipped cream!
- They give up before they even try. They act like addicts, like they couldn’t even go one day without eating animals.
- They view veganism as deprivation. Sometimes they’ll list all their favorite animal products as if that will make us vegans salivate and say, “Yeah, it’s so hard being vegan. I have such a restrictive diet. Woe is me.” But many of us vegans don’t feel we’re missing anything. In fact, I’ve been MORE adventurous in my eating since becoming vegan. I’ve eaten MORE interesting and varied foods from all over the world. When you close one door, another one opens.
Heh. Just yesterday I read an article in the local paper that extolled the virtues of a local eatery (Art Cafe & Bakery, now in both SLO and Atascadero). The writer described a veg salad, saying “it contains no meat but is delicious”. The “but” just so pissed me off. And unfortunately it’s a common response.
I think we vegans are partly to blame for non-vegans viewing our lifestyle as one of deprivation. We tend to define veganism in terms of what we don’t eat, or don’t wear or don’t do. When people only hear about what we don’t do, of course they will see it as deprivation.
Maybe we should start making more of an effort to point out the things we do. So, instead of saying that vegans don’t eat meat, dairy or eggs, maybe we should say “a vegan is someone who makes an effort to reduce the amount of unnecessary suffering in the world by choosing to eat delicious whole grains, fruits, vegetables, chocolate soy milk, Celebration Roast, “fakin bacon” and other plant-based alternatives to meat, dairy, eggs and other animal-based foods.”
I agree with Matt, 100%.
Before becoming vegan, I also wondered “what in the heck do vegans eat?” The focus seems to be on the ‘we don’t’ instead of the ‘we do’s’ Which could also be why people seem to view veganism in a negative light and as a deprivation of sorts.
>>In fact, I’ve been MORE adventurous in my eating since becoming vegan. I’ve eaten MORE interesting and varied foods from all over the world. When you close one door, another one opens.
Me too. Before, I rarely cooked and at out a lot - but now I’m cooking all the time and trying out new recipes. And there are SO many things that I want to try but haven’t gotten around to trying yet. Anyone who says that a vegan diet is boring, definitely hasn’t really given it a fair chance.
Convenient - Agreed. It drives me crazy when omnis review veg restaurants and are surprised that food can be tasty without meat - and then write about it as though it’s *new* information. They can’t review a veg restaurant without referring to dead animals, at all. They just can’t do it. They can’t say, “The salad was excellent” they have to say, “The salad was excellent despite lacking meat.” It’s like a nervous tick, a meat-compulsion. Ugh.
Matt - That’s indeed one reason why some people say they eat a “plant-based” diet than a “vegan diet”. There are limitations to both methods.
Tracie - This is one reason why I stress that anyone interested in veganism should get to know other vegans, dine with them, talk to them, share… You just don’t know what’s out there until you start exploring.
that is also true even my family has began cooking vegan foods shes still getting adjusted but im glad thier beginning to give my desicions a try and its actually even making them healthier whoopii