What would you do if a vegan guest showed up at your home?
A non-vegan friend sent me this question:
My brother’s girlfriend is going to my parent’s house this weekend for the first time. She is vegan and my mom isn’t sure what to have on hand and what to serve. I was wondering if you had any recipes I could pass along to my mom. She obviously wants to be a good hostess and provide her with food she would like. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Your non-vegan friend
Dear Non-vegan Friend,
I think your mom’s vegan guest will appreciate any effort to accommodate her food preferences. With advanced preparation, carnivores and vegans can dine together in harmony.
A quick trip to the grocery to stock a few items is a great start. Look for:
- Earth Balance butter spread
- almond, rice or soy milk (original or vanilla is a safe bet)
- hummus and guacamole
- chopped veggies and mixed greens
- fruit
- mixed nuts
- squash or sweet potatoes
- soy, almond or coconut yogurt
- Amy’s brand soups or burritos (check ingredient list: look for words like Vegan, and ‘contains no milk, egg’.
- a balsamic or Asian vinaigrette salad dressing
- cashews for garlic cream sauce or ranch dressing
A quinoa/bean salad is easy and provides plenty of sustenance and protein. A side dish of meat for those who want it can be discreetly prepared on the grill to keep the kitchen pleasant and fresh.
A quinoa/bean salad is easy and provides plenty of sustenance and protein. A side dish of meat for those who want it can be discreetly prepared on the grill to keep the kitchen pleasant and fresh.
Grilled, saute or roasted veggies go a long way and can be enjoyed with a great marinade or dipping sauce. Carnivores think of these as a side, so be sure to cook extra so there are plenty. Adding a baked potato to the mix creates a full and balanced meal.
Your houseguest would most likely be happy with oatmeal or granola with almond milk and fruit for breakfast, nut butters, hummus, salads with beans, fruits and vegetables, and nuts for lunch, and grilled or sautéed veggies with a whole grain like quinoa are for dinner. You can access lots of amazing recipes for vegans and non-vegans alike at lifeoffthelabel.com. There are many of ways to veganize just about any non-vegan recipe with non dairy milks, egg replacers, and non animal proteins, such as marinated tofu and tempeh, which are all available at a local grocer, such as Kroger. The Pembroke bakery in Fort Wayne offers lots of vegan options as well. Best wises!
FAQs
5 diet rules vegans get right
- Eat foods that are in season. This isn't a steadfast vegan "rule," but many people who consciously choose to eat vegan are also making other conscious (or even unconscious) decisions. ...
- Fill up with fiber. ...
- Plant your protein. ...
- Eat those good-for-you fats. ...
- You may need to supplement.
Guidelines for the 7-Day Raw Food Challenge:
- No meat, dairy, wheat, eggs, processed sugar or alcohol.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit, raw vegetables and drink fresh juice & smoothies.
- Drink lots of water.
- You can also drink warm tea and warm water with lemon.
- Be super gentle with yourself.
In an ideal world, we humans would not participate, either directly or indirectly, in violence towards other humans, or towards other non-humans. In an ideal world, people would live — rightfully — as vegans.
What foods should vegans eat every day? ›
eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates (choose wholegrain where possible) have some fortified dairy alternatives, such as soya drinks and yoghurts (choose lower-fat and lower-sugar options)
Is pasta suitable for vegans? ›
Is pasta vegan? Most packaged pasta—including spaghetti, rotini, and any other type—is 100 percent vegan. To know for sure, simply check the ingredients on your package! Sometimes, you might see “egg” listed as an ingredient in “fresh” pastas, so avoid those—but generally, pasta contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Is normal bread vegan? ›
At its core, a bread recipe contains four simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast — a type of microscopic fungus used to help bread rise. Therefore, the simplest form of bread is vegan. However, some types include additional ingredients like sweeteners or fats — both of which can be of animal origin.
How to be vegan when you're broke? ›
Staple vegan foods such as oats, lentils, pasta, rice and chickpeas are among the cheapest foods and are in *a lot* of vegan recipes, so should definitely make an appearance on your list. Oh, and avoid shopping whilst hungry. You're more likely to stray from the plan...
How to go 100% vegan? ›
Start gradually
- Start by eliminating two animal-based foods and replacing them with a healthier alternative. ...
- Increase consumption of whichever fruits and vegetables that you love or already have at home. ...
- Try new fruits and vegetables that you don't eat regularly, adding one or two a week.
This gradual calorie reduction can lead to a sustainable weight loss of about 1-2 pounds per week. Optimize Protein Intake: Ensure adequate protein consumption by incorporating various plant-based protein sources such as legumes, tofu, tempeh, seitan, and plant-based protein powders.
What is the strictest vegan diet? ›
Level 4 vegans are incredibly committed to veganism, and follow a strict dietary regime. A level 4 vegan's diet is likely to contain more fruits, vegetables and nuts. Level 4 vegans will often only eat out at vegan restaurants, or if that is not an available option they will only choose a vegan option.
People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet. Their reasons for eating this way vary. Some vegans do it to improve their health, as research shows that a plant-based diet could lower the risk of certain diseases.
What vegans should eat to lose weight? ›
Best vegan foods for weight loss
- Soy, quinoa, and tempeh, which are vegan sources of protein.
- Soy and almond milks, which are rich in vitamin D.
- Nuts and seeds, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Putting Together a Diet Plan
- Eat a wide variety of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
- Replace saturated fats and trans fats with fat from nuts, olive oil and canola oil.
- Practice portion control and read food labels.
- Participate in regular physical activity.
Vegans don't eat any foods made from animals, including:
- Beef, pork, lamb, and other red meat.
- Chicken, duck, and other poultry.
- Fish or shellfish such as crabs, clams, and mussels.
- Eggs.
- Cheese.
- Butter.
- Milk, cream, ice cream, and other dairy products.
- Mayonnaise (because it includes egg yolks)
Level 5 vegan
Level 5 vegans also avoid all animal-derived products such as eggs, dairy products, meats, fish and seafood, and will also avoid any food products where accidental traces of animal products may feature. They will also avoid leather, gelatin, and some food colourings.
Is peanut butter vegan? ›
Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.
