Vegetarian Alert!?

Question

I'm always put in the position of being the one sitting there not eating anything because every dish contains meat. What's the best way to not be an inconvinience to the people whose house I was invited to for dinner, and not seem rude by bringing over my own food (or is this acceptable)? Thanks for the suggestions.

Answer 1

Best thing to do is offer to bring a dish to share. That way you're not being an inconvenience (you're actually helping the host) and you ensure you'll have something to eat.

http://www.veggieboards.com

Answer 2

If I'm invited to someone's home for dinner I always ask what we'll be having, and offer to bring a salad or something to help out. All my friends know I'm a housewife who loves to cook, so when I offer to help they normally jump at the chance.
Part of it's because I'm a good cook, but they all assume I've got the time and it doesn't put me out.

Of course for me the only person who gives me a hard time about my diet is my mom. She doesn't understand why I can't just eat around the meat in a dish. She's never really tried to spare my feelings, so I don't spare her feeling when it comes to what I eat.

When I go visit them I ask them to stop at a grocery store or walmart on the way to their house from the airport. I buy what I need to get through the visit.

Worse case you could always take a snack bar or two in your purse or pocket and if there is nothing you can eat even though your friends thought fish wasn't a meat, or that the chicken in the salad wouldn't be a big deal, you've got something to eat.

The other thought would be if you know there isn't going to be anything or at least not enough to eat, eat before you go. I have a friend who use to have to leave an hour early to go to his buddies for dinner. His buddy is a professional chef, the food is always fabulous, but it's never enough food because it's always beautiful but tiny French food.

Having nutritional food that fits your required dietary needs should be a fundamental right, you should never be embarrassed about it, and anyone is offended should be the one who is ashamed.

Answer 3

If your host seems like they'd be willing to cook special food for you, then tell them what kind of foods you can eat and offer them some simple recipes. If they seem uneasy or you really don't want to inconvenience them, offer to bring a few dishes to supplement the meal. (Make enough food so everyone can try some). The last thing you want to do is just eat salad and give people the impression that vegetarians are limited to eating vegetables. Good luck!

Answer 4

My 12 year old daughter is vegetarian and runs into the same problem. She usually eats before she goes, then just has some of the side dishes being served and doesnt bring it up. She keeps lara bars or another protein bar in her backpack in case she gets hungry. Not making an issue out of it keeps it simple-when offered the meat course, just a simple "no thank you" will do. If pressed on the issue, just say meat doesnt agree with your digestive system and change the subject. She does have some friends who dont mind if she brings a main course dish. Just ask the host, and bring enough for everyone to try it.

Answer 5

When invited to dinner, say something like "I am eating vegetarian foods now, Can I bring a dish to share? I don't want you to have to make me something special." The person might protest and make you something meatless anyways and that could end up being fish...or chicken...so there is a risk in declaring yourself. Depending on your diet, if you share something familiar like mac and cheese it could be easily accepted by the host if you wanted to let on what you are bringing. Of course they might make you mac and cheese -with hotdogs that you can "just pick out". There is always a risk.
My son eats nothing normal so I feed him before we go anywhere and he eats potato chips, bread and dessert at family events.

Answer 6

If you tell them before hand don't just say you are a vegetarian. Tell them what you can or can't eat because there's a lot of confusion even among vegetarians.

For example, a chicken casserole with honey and cream sauce might be considered vegetarian by some because it contains no meat. Yes, some people think chicken doesn't count as meat. I'm not one of them.

Answer 7

All of these are good suggestions, but if it comes down to it & there's really no way out I'll beg off & say my stomach's a little off tonight & that I'd really just like a little something to drink or maybe a salad. People are sometimes more accepting of an illness than a dietary preference; also there are times I just don't want to bring it up.

Answer 8

Well, if you want, make a dish for yourself, but make enough so that everyone can have some. That way, it doesn't look (I guess) selfish that you brang your own dinner.
If not, I would just eat in advance.
Maybe you can bring an appetizer for them, or a salad that you can eat.
Maybe they forget your a vegetarian/ vegan? It sucks to say something, but... if you know them well enough, I would just remind them of it, in a nonchalant way?

Hope this helped?

Answer 9

It is difficult. However, if you let the people in advance know that you're vegetarian/vegan, you can give them option to prepare something for you, or let them know that you'll be bringing your own food. I usually offer to bring my own food, or eat in advance if I know that there's no getting around it. Luckily, my circle of friends doesn't invite people over usually, so we usually go out to eat and I don't have to worry about it.

It is just one of those normal difficulties of being veggie unfortunately. Sometimes you can't get around it without stepping on a few toes ... or whatever that saying is.

Good luck!

Answer 10

If they know you are a vegetarian and refuse to make you a dish and invite you then kindly tell them you will note come. Unless its a Pot Luck you should not always have to bring your own food.