Do Vegans eat parmesan cheese?

Question

I organised a lunch for my workplace, and I had a confirmed Vegan and a confirmed Vegetarian who told me she's "trying to be Vegan" - so I asked the restaurant for two VEGAN meals and they said they would comply. However, the restaurant made them risotto with vegetables but added parmesan cheese throughout the rice. I was annoyed because I thought Vegans could not eat cheese of any sort and thought the restaurant should have known this, or at least checked first.

The funny thing was, the Vegan man ate it all up and didn't mind at all (and he's usually REALLY strict with food), but the Vegetarian who DOES usually eat eggs and cheese, but decided two days beforehand she was going to become Vegan made a huge fuss and song and dance until the restaurant cooked her another meal.

So, I am confused - can you describe a Vegan's diet to me and is it correct that they do not eat any animal product? Thanks!

Answer 1

Vegans normally do not eat any cheese, however, this man might have made an exception... people who are vegan for a long time generally have something called 'vegan diplomacy', in which they know how to conduct themselves and how to keep from making a whole production about their eating habits and lifestyle.

I am vegan and this Christmas I ate something with dairy in it because I know my mom spent hours making it, and it's been a tradition to eat this meal at Christmas, it's got religious and cultural history to me. I would still consider myself vegan, just not crazy enough to think it's possible to be 100% vegan all the time.

I think you have witnessed the "new convert" phenomenon (the one lady that just became vegan was bothersome, pestered everyone, and was generally uncool and didn't know how to handle herself with what's called 'vegan diplomacy'). While most vegans would never ,ever eat meat again, I think many would (on VERY special occasions of if there is no way otherwise) permit a small amount of dairy. That's usually the hardest ingredient to avoid. 99.9% or more of the time, I avoid animal products diligently.

Answer 2

Do Vegans Eat Cheese

Answer 3

No if someone calls themselves vegan they will avoid meat, eggs, dairy, and honey. What I imagined happened is that you're experienced Friend understood that the restaurant tried to cater to their needs and didn't want to make a fuss in a workplace dinner they have had experiences where they've accidentally put non vegan stuff in their own food and have learned to brush things aside sometimes, the new vegan on the other hand has to be very firm about their beliefs otherwise in order to make this choice a lifestyle.
So next time explain to restaurant, that there should be no meat, fish, dairy, cheese, honey, or gelatin, in the food there are a bunch of other trace ingredients to watch out for too but a restaurant unless already vegan friendly probably won't even know how to check.

Answer 4

No, vegans cannot eat parmesan or any other cheese unless it was a vegan soy cheese.

That's funny about your two guests. Had they switched roles, it would've made more sense.

By the way, this is a great example to show how restaurants don't fully understand vegetarianism, veganism etc. Can you imagine adding to the confusion when certain people on this board say that fish is vegetarian? This is why some of us get so nitpicky about definitions. Personally though, I would just say "I don't eat meat, dairy, eggs, etc etc" rather than using the word "vegan".

Answer 5

Your "confirmed vegan" needs to confirm what vegan means. Vegans do not eat cheese of any sort because they do not eat animal-sourced foods of any sort. Your vegetarian was probably just a little overwhelmed by the whole thing - it's tough getting what you want in a restaurant without looking picky or hysterical. Since she's just transitioning to veganism, she hasn't had practice dealing with it calmly, although I totally support her right to have the restaurant prepare her another meal. They agreed to prepare vegan meals and then didn't follow through, so it is their responsibility to rectify the situation.

Answer 6

Vegans will not eat parmesan cheese. And yes, the restaurant should have known that cheese is not allowed on a vegan diet, but there's a lot of confusion in that area. I probably would have politely asked them to make me a vegan dish.

Answer 7

A vegan doesn't eat any animal products other than honey sometimes and even though parmasaen cheese is very small and not really in the dairy or calcium or any other group it is still not vegan.

Answer 8

Strictly speaking it should be NO Meat, Fish or Dairy at all, that is no cheese (most cheese contains rennet, which comes from a cows stomach), eggs, milk, butter, cream etc. Some Vegans will not even wear leather, silk, or wool, now that is a commitment! Interesting question, I hope you get some good answers.

Answer 9

maybe the vegan didn't notice there was cheese on it. or was the cheese obvious?? a vegan does not eat any animal products at all no dairy meat fish eggs or honey. for vegetarian there are different types

Locto-ovovegetarian - does not eat meat, fish or poultry but eats eggs and dairy

Lacto Vegetarian- meat, fish, poultry or eggs but eats dairy

Macrobiotic vegetarian (some do not consider these people vegetarians)- does not eat meat but eats eggs dairy and seafood

Fruitarian- a person who only eats fruits and vegetables that are actually classified as fruits such as avocados, nuts, seeds, eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes does not eat meat tofu or fake meat of any kind

Answer 10

Vegans won't eat cheese, unless it is the vegan version soy cheese. =]