Dear America,
Recently, I attended a business luncheon hosted by a local restaurant. To streamline the process, the restaurant had put together a short menu of options for us, saving time on the ordering: fewer options = less time deciding and less time deciding = faster turnaround in the kitchen.
I was hungry, so anxiously perused the edited menu in search of something I could eat. There it was: a vegetable plate, my one option. Well, that’s not entirely fair – I was allowed to choose four side items to fill my vegetable plate.
I had seven choices:
1. Mashed potatoes 2. Sweet mashed potatoes 3. Fried okra 4. Steamed broccoli 5. Green beans 6. French fries 7. Pasta saladMmmm. How very tasty. Let me fill a plate with starches, some deep-fried goodness, and a little bit of oil-soaked pasta on the side. The steamed broccoli is the only item on that list of seven that vaguely interested me, but since the $13 price tag didn’t pull me in where the menu failed, I fasted that meal.
Not having been a vegetarian my entire life I understand the misconceptions. It’s easy to assume that a vegetarian simply eats no meat.
“What do you mean he don’t eat no meat?! Oh, that’s okay. I make lamb.”
It’s also easy to assume we only eat salads. We’re not rabbits. Look – the absence of meat does not a complete meal make, nor does the consumption of a salad necessarily satisfy. And please – stop being so fixated on where I get my protein.
I eat a diet chock-full of fiber-rich carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, protein, simple carbohydrates, lots of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and a few starches, as needed.
Where do you get that in YOUR diet? Because the last time I checked – America is fat.
Sincerely,
A Healthy Vegetarian
Roar!
After almost 15 years, I’ve stopped even noticing other’s comments on my eating habits. When I do get pulled into a discussion with a carnivorous disbeliever, I just use my one safety: I eat seafood. That usually gets people off of my back. Also, the protein thing makes me crazy! Maybe if fat America ate a bit less in the starch and protein arenas, they’d be a little less fat. Just sayin’.
Roar!
Although I eat meat, I respect others who don’t. I can’t understand why people like to judge vegetarians and stigmatize their choices. It seems that the critics just rather be lazy and eat a bunch of processed food than make a healthy choice to eat a balanced diet. I on the other hand envy “rabbits” ;-) I wish I had the will power to resist my meat addiction and live in the forest and eat carrots. Uhhh what’s up doc? Don’t let Elmer Fud get you down Arminda ;-) Vegetarins Rock!
Been almost 9 years for me. Hard to believe.
I don’t judge carnivores or make comments about what they eat. I always find it fascinating that people think my food choices allow for an array of negative comments.
Whatever. I have more energy and consistently feel better than most anyone I know.
Long live food options!
I absolutely love being a vegetarian. It’s a part of my being and something that will remain indefinitely.
The one change that I’d like to see is a rebranding in the mindset of the public when it comes to vegetarianism. It’s not a curse and there is no need for noses to crinkle when talking about it. The meat industry has really done a number on people over the past couple of decades fueling the belief that you must have meat with each meal and if you don’t then you’re strange.
There are only positive benefits from a proper plant-based diet – environmental, financial, animal quality of life, personal health, energy resources, nature – mind, body, and soul become stronger. Even meat eaters can make an impact on the world by being a “weekday vegetarian“.
Yep, I remember you telling me this story the other day… anyone catering a social lunch/benefit/ etc… should always take into account for those who are vegetarian/vegan. This doesn’t mean a plate of “pick-4” (steamed corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, squash is a good example). No, pick 1-2 prepared meals, and do it right. Find out ahead of time how many don’t eat meat, and you could come up with a veggie lasagna, or pesto pasta on farfalle in no time. (my tastes). Just sayin’. :)
Keep it up, Arminda!
Well put. Anyone who tries to eat healthy can relate to this.
Arminda,
As I said that day before lunch – never hesitate to talk to your server if you are not satisfied with their options.
ROAR IS RIGHT! I have been a vegetarian for 10 years now and it KILLS me that restaurants assume if they put a stack of vegetables in front of us, we’ll be happy. Yes, I love vegetables, but I also need other nutrients. I ride 300 miles a week and burn 10,000 calories. I need more than steamed broccoli or potatoes prepared 16 different ways. That being said, I think you should have ordered mashed potatoes, sweet mashed potatoes, French fries, and asked for a baked potato!
http://twitter.com/ginidietrich
Oh, how I can relate! However, since moving to Spain a year ago, I can’t complain. Unfortunately, here, the concept is still downright foreign! “No meat? What in the world does that mean??!” All too often, my only option is potatoes with spicy sauce.
So the other day I had a conversation with my nephew. In all seriousness, he asked if I’m still eating a vegetarian diet (as if it’s a temporary inconvenience). When I answered in the affirmative he replied, “Wow. That’s too bad. I guess you could eat dog food.” I stifled a laugh and asked why I would do that and he told me for the meat flavor! I assured him I love NOT eating meat; I do not need meat flavor, nor do I intend to eat dog food, but appreciated his concern!