The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at JMU chapter.
It’s always tough managing the holidays without eating meat, grappling with limited food options and the unavoidable questions and comments from family members about how they could never be vegetarian. I’ve been vegetarian for over three and a half years (along with being vegan for one of those years), so I’ve had enough experience getting through the holiday season without eating meat. Here are my best tips for how to survive the holidays on a plant-based diet!
- I’d first recommend talking to whoever is cooking ahead of time to find out what foods they’re planning on making. It’s totally understandable if they aren’t able to accommodate to your diet, so it’s important to know what foods are being provided, along with if there will be any cross-contamination, so you can plan accordingly. While there will definitely be at least a few yummy sides that you can eat, it’s important to know whether you’re able to eat enough to properly fill yourself (hot girls fuel their body!).
- Connecting this to my last point, don’t be afraid to bring your own food! Last Thanksgiving, I brought plant-based turkey and it honestly sparked a ton of curiosity among my family members. It was incredibly convenient for everyone; my family didn’t have to stress about cooking plant-based options and I was able to make sure I was getting my protein in and eating a well-balanced meal. This year, I’m bringing Tofurkey, a plant-based alternative to turkey, and my dad offered to make me a “gourmet” grilled cheese with the Tofurkey slices. While it’s not the traditional Thanksgiving meal that one would expect, it’s unique and it’s what makes Thanksgiving feel special to me as someone with a specific diet.
- I also communicate with my family about some sides I’d love to see be served (it’s going to be my FIRST Thanksgiving with mac and cheese as a side dish and I am so excited. I’m unsure why we’ve never had mac and cheese at a holiday family function before, but there’s a first time for everything!). Talking to my family about what foods would be served, along with what foods I’d be eager to potentially see at the table, honestly relieved a lot of stress and anxiety that I was experiencing regarding what I’d be able to eat and what I would have to avoid. It feels anxiety-inducing walking into a family function (or any function, really) and not knowing what food is going to be served and if I’m going to be well-fed or not, so I find it incredibly stress-relieving to simply ask questions beforehand.
- I’d recommend to prepare yourself for the endless questions and comments. For me, it’s all too frequent that I’ll hear the stereotypical questions and comments about being a vegetarian anytime I’m surrounded by my extended family on holidays. “I could never stop eating meat.” “Why are you vegetarian?” “I just love meat too much. Bacon is just so good!” “Why don’t you just try a bite, it won’t kill you.” “That seems so hard.” The list goes on and on. I used to get frustrated when I’d hear these questions, but I’ve come to realize that some people just don’t understand and have genuine questions. I was the same way when I ate meat, so I’ve stopped judging people for just being curious. While it definitely depends on your family members and family dynamic, the incessant questions are always a possibility, especially with extended family, so I’d make sure to stay prepared.
- The last piece of advice I’ll give is to just embrace it! This is your lifestyle, and while it can sometimes be a challenge handling holidays that are very food-oriented, it’s important to not stress about it and to enjoy spending time with family. While some may have pleasant and easy experiences during the holiday season whilst dealing with food restrictions, others may have the complete opposite experience, and it’s important to recognize that. Regardless of what you are or are not eating, do your best to enjoy the holidays and focus on spending time with loved ones!