Is being vegan a turn off... or even a deal breaker?

[Gattica]

Great post!

 

I am a vegetarian because I do not agree with factory farming. I probably eat vegan 80% of the time. I have a cheese addiction. I am trying to eliminate dairy products.

 

 

 

http://www.vegan-nutritionista.com/vegan-cheese.html

 

Thanks!

[MrHalfJack]

Maybe in california, not around here. Maybe you could claim there are options for vegetarians, but not vegans.

 

 

 

not sure where you live, but i had plently of options in minnesota. and since moving to salt lake city, i have even more options. never been to california.....

[Lady vs Panda]

I would never date anyone who came between me and cheese.

[MrHalfJack]

Mrhalfjack, intended or not you're reallying coming across as the classic 'I believe you are a terrible person for eating meat and now I intend to prove to you how bad you are' vegan. It's not about to change anybody's mind and you're just supporting negative stereotypes at this point.

 

 

i am not supporting negative stereotypes at all. you are just taking it the wrong way.

[theBrokenMuse]

http://hubpages.com/hub/not-created-to-eat-meat

http://www.biology-online.org/articles/humans-omnivores.html

 

The link below shows chimpanzees hunt and eat a monkey and considering how closely related we are, that should be enough to show that our body type is not naturally that of a herbivore because we lack claws and other such nonsense.

[sb129]

Have no problems with vegans per se. Some vegan food is yummy, and I often order vegetarian options when eating out.

 

I would struggle to be in a long term relationship with a vegan because I am a foodie and love cooking and eating out.

 

I think I could and would cope with a vegetarian, as meat isn't the be all and end all, but living without eggs and dairy products would eliminate most of my recipe repertoire...and I do love to make desserts and bake.

They would have to be VERY special and make up for it in other ways..

 

The GF of a good friend of my Hs is a vegan, and when they came to stay, I embraced the challenge of shopping and cooking for a vegan- I like trying new recipes and I like to be as healthy as I can so I didn't mind at all.

 

I spent a bit of time researching recipes and shopped for vegan bread, cereal, chocolate, milk, snacks and drinks.

 

What I DID mind was that she was

 

- rude (nitpicked the food I made, complaining that the vegan burger patties I had made had nori in them and she hates nori. Also complained that a rice salad I had made looked "unappetising")

 

- lazy (didn't once offer to help me cook or clean up, nor did she offer to buy or bring any of her own food. Bear in mind that while they were staying our daughter was all of 5 months old too so I was quite busy running around cooking and looking after her)

 

- thankless. I think she said it once briefly, but by then I was exhausted and over it.

 

So my experience with a vegan houseguest is limited to this horrible weekend.

 

Understandably I am not that keen to repeat the experience. With her anyway.

[MrHalfJack]

http://www.biology-online.org/articles/humans-omnivores.html

 

The link below shows chimpanzees hunt and eat a monkey and considering how closely related we are, that should be enough to show that our body type is not naturally that of a herbivore because we lack claws and other such nonsense.

 

 

 

i dont know about you, but i am not a monkey. this sounds more like cannibalizing, than being a carnivore.

[MrHalfJack]

Have no problems with vegans per se. Some vegan food is yummy, and I often order vegetarian options when eating out.

 

I would struggle to be in a long term relationship with a vegan because I am a foodie and love cooking and eating out.

 

I think I could and would cope with a vegetarian, as meat isn't the be all and end all, but living without eggs and dairy products would eliminate most of my recipe repertoire...and I do love to make desserts and bake.

They would have to be VERY special and make up for it in other ways..

 

The GF of a good friend of my Hs is a vegan, and when they came to stay, I embraced the challenge of shopping and cooking for a vegan- I like trying new recipes and I like to be as healthy as I can so I didn't mind at all.

 

I spent a bit of time researching recipes and shopped for vegan bread, cereal, chocolate, milk, snacks and drinks.

 

What I DID mind was that she was

 

- rude (nitpicked the food I made, complaining that the vegan burger patties I had made had nori in them and she hates nori. Also complained that a rice salad I had made looked "unappetising")

 

- lazy (didn't once offer to help me cook or clean up, nor did she offer to buy or bring any of her own food. Bear in mind that while they were staying our daughter was all of 5 months old too so I was quite busy running around cooking and looking after her)

 

- thankless. I think she said it once briefly, but by then I was exhausted and over it.

 

So my experience with a vegan houseguest is limited to this horrible weekend.

 

Understandably I am not that keen to repeat the experience. With her anyway.

 

this person just sounds like a bitch. her diet probably has nothing to do with it.

[Rorschach]

Chimpanzees are no more related to monkeys than we are, in fact african tribes often hunt monkeys for food. Not a cannibalistic thing.

[MrHalfJack]

Have no problems with vegans per se. Some vegan food is yummy, and I often order vegetarian options when eating out.

 

I would struggle to be in a long term relationship with a vegan because I am a foodie and love cooking and eating out.

 

I think I could and would cope with a vegetarian, as meat isn't the be all and end all, but living without eggs and dairy products would eliminate most of my recipe repertoire...and I do love to make desserts and bake.

They would have to be VERY special and make up for it in other ways..

 

The GF of a good friend of my Hs is a vegan, and when they came to stay, I embraced the challenge of shopping and cooking for a vegan- I like trying new recipes and I like to be as healthy as I can so I didn't mind at all.

 

I spent a bit of time researching recipes and shopped for vegan bread, cereal, chocolate, milk, snacks and drinks.

 

 

have you tried egg substitute?

[sb129]

this person just sounds like a bitch. her diet probably has nothing to do with it.

 

Well that about sums her up.... however its what I associate with when I think vegan!

 

I have tried egg subs- honestly, you just can't beat the real deal for creme brulee, custard, chocolate mousse, brownies and all the other yummy desserts I love to make.

 

I have no intention of being a vegan, but thanks for the suggestion.

[Sphere]

Sphere - By the way, it's nice to hear that you would turn vegan/vegetarian for a partner! Most of my guy friends would never turn down a meaty steak or a hamburger. Let alone give them up.

 

I've never been a massive fan of meat, I don't mind it every now and again, but I'm not someone who eats it everyday of the week. As I say I was a vegetarian for a number of years and I still eat a diet filled with vegetables and meat-free alternatives, so it would be easy for me to switch back.

 

I'm prepared to compromise on that issue, it's one of the few things I can compromise on. On a serious note, I went to a pub and ordered a beef burger with chips and the amount of grease on my plate created a small puddle. I sat there feeling sick to the pit of my stomach wondering if I would wake up tomorrow or would I have a heart attack during my sleep.

 

Meat is fine in moderation, but I couldn't eat steak and burgers every day, no way Jose. I care about my body and Burgers are about as healthy for you as cigarettes.

[theBrokenMuse]

i dont know about you, but i am not a monkey. this sounds more like cannibalizing, than being a carnivore.

We are the most closely related to chimpanzees and share many of their characteristics which makes the points in the article you offered pretty moot considering that they eat meat. They are not carnivores, they are omnivores like we are and no, it wasn't cannibalization. They don't eat other chimps but monkeys are fair game.

[Leigh 87]

I eat meat only because I have to; I try to limit my meat intake because I am so dead against how the animals are treated.

 

It is for HEALTH reasons that I eat meat; I tried vegan, and my body needs meat; it cries out for it without it. If I could feel healthy enough as a vegan I WOULD actually prefer to be one, because I hate having to eat animals that could have beemn mistreated.

 

I mostly eat organic meats because I jjust have higher hopes that the extra money invested in raising organic animals may be motivation to treat the animals better?

 

I only eat a palm sized portion of meat in one given day.

 

I cannot see the issue with dating a vegan, if the vegan did not rant or be unreasonable about their views.

 

However, I have noticed that if a person has a strong view regarding the mistreatment of animals, or strong health views on veganism, then they would not be conpatable with people who do not share these fundamantal views.

 

For some, the beliefs and thought process involved in being vegan is entrentched in their personalities; it is a strong part of them that, if not understood, would render them incompatable.

 

The way a vegan orders food at a restaurant or their limitations is not the issue here; how can it be a turn off if a person simply goes about their business in a normal way, and does not highlight their food preferences other than saying " can I have a vegan salad"?

 

I would not get turned off if a guy I dated was vegan; the question is, would HE be able to not find my disguisting for eating meat occasionally?

 

Often it is the vegans who cannot deal with US eating meat, and THAT is a deal breaker to vegans!

[loverofloveandstuff]

I eat meat only because I have to; I try to limit my meat intake because I am so dead against how the animals are treated.

 

It is for HEALTH reasons that I eat meat; I tried vegan, and my body needs meat; it cries out for it without it. If I could feel healthy enough as a vegan I WOULD actually prefer to be one, because I hate having to eat animals that could have beemn mistreated.

 

Um... Yes, if you are not replacing important nutrients that you usually would be getting from meat (e.g. iron, protein) from other sources, your body and health aren't going to be in the best condition. If you decide to do your research however, there will always be other food choices (other than meat and dairy) you can make and still keep optimal health by getting all those nutrients you need. It really is that simple.

 

Haven't you recovered from an eating disorder in recent times? I don't mean to be rude, but eating little to nothing doesn't constitute as a healthy vegan diet so you're not really an accurate reflection of reality.

 

; I logically feel that if a person goes without any meat for many years and eats a very strict raw vegan diet, that because their bodies are lacking things, they will act in ways that could put a person off.

 

How can one act sane, rational, and like a good version of themselves, if their bodies are not functioning properly because they eat NO meatm eggs, or dairy?

‘

 

Once again, I think you are basing this on your own personal experience on being a 'vegan.' I'm quoting you again on this because it's a pretty ignorant thing to say and you didn't address it in your last post. You've implied that all vegans do not 'function properly' and that it is unusual (or unheard of) for a vegan to act sane and rational. Maybe your version of veganism (i.e. eating little to nothing) lead you to act insane and irrational, but to stereotype a whole group of people so grossly? That is honestly one of the most ridiculous things I've heard.

 

I cannot see the issue with dating a vegan, if the vegan did not rant or be unreasonable about their views.

I hate to break it to you, but it's pretty clear you have an issue. To describe a whole group of people as 'not rational, not sane' and not 'acting like a good version of themselves'? How is that not having an issue with vegans?

 

 

The way a vegan orders food at a restaurant or their limitations is not the issue here; how can it be a turn off if a person simply goes about their business in a normal way, and does not highlight their food preferences other than saying " can I have a vegan salad"?

Yes, actually it often becomes an issue. It's the same issue that arises when me and my girlfriends are having a night out. One person decides not to drink and the rest of us are on her back the whole evening because she's not being part of the group.

 

Also, my friends and I usually order several dishes from a restaurant and share them together.

 

I have never had an issue with the way in which I eat.

 

Well you obviously have had an issue with the way you eat as you're in/were in recovery for an ED.

[Untouchable_Fire]

Who said anything about a vegan bodybuilder???

For me personally, a lot of people have mentioned how good I look since I've become vegan. I've lost quite a bit of weight, (I went from 57 to 47 kilos, but have since gained a couple of kilos back), and a lot of people have commented on how my skin is 'glowing.' Even though a lot of my friends give me crap for being vegan (mostly all in good nature), they are also saying 'maybe I should go on a vegan diet for awhile...'

I'm just trying to say that we don't all look like we're half dead. And for me, it's about listening to my body. If I feel and look like crap, I will know that there is something wrong and I will attend to my needs in the best way I know how.

 

In my experience it takes a lot of effort and knowledge to get the correct amount of amino acids and protein in a vegan diet.

 

I know because I went vegetarian for Lent one time during a heavy sports season. I lost about 5 pounds of muscle and felt sick every day. I tried many different variations to try and fix it.

 

The guys I have seen pull it off, always have a very lean and stringy look, which will probably get you compliments if your female.

 

I admit, I get quite offended and defensive when I hear people say things insinuating that vegans aren't healthy. As I said before, there are healthy vegans and there are unhealthy vegans just as there are healthy and unhealthy meat eaters.

I feel the same way when I hear vegans criticize meat eaters. Many a time, I have heard a vegan say how toxic the non-vegan diet is and how unhealthy meat eaters are. I know that's not true. I know plenty of healthy people who eat dairy and meat on a regular basis.

 

I would say our current food supply is not very healthy and any form of eating control you put in place is healthy.

 

Vegan diets simply take lots of effort and many people who do them don't do it right... which is why they look sick.

 

I understand that your sensitive about it... but if you don't look that way... let it go. I don't get offended when all the Obese non-vegan eaters are talked about. Why? Because I'm not obese... it doesn't apply to me.

[donnamaybe]

I would have no problem with my partner choosing to do what they want, provided it doesn't affect me adversely.

 

My mom and a couple sisters are vegans. The rest of us are not (there are 6 daughters in all). We always get together at my mom's house on mother's day and order takeout from this awesome Vietnamese place. A couple years ago when this yearly event was getting ready to take place and we had all agreed, once again, to buy lunch from this restaurant, my mom and the sister who picks up the food (it's near her house) took it upon themselves to decide that we ALL had to eat vegan. I didn't back out at the last minute on some kind of principle, but it did piss me off ROYALLY. I mean, when I am paying for my own food from a restaurant, how DARE anyone tell me what I have to pay for! I didn't say a word about it, though, so as to not ruin mother's day. I opted out of lunch the next year, and they got the point and didn't press that same issue this last time.

[Gattica]

IMO, anyone that makes a big deal about what anyone else eats is not worth my time. Again, I have been a vegetarian for nearly 20 years. I will admit, that seeing a rare steak or burger with the blood running out does gross the hell out of me, but I don't comment to whomever I am eating lunch/dinner with about it. I don't see a point. Everyone that knows me knows of my food lifestyle and they know I don't lecture or give a hoot about what they are eating.

 

When new people first find out I am a vegetarian the response I get A LOT of the time is..."I don't eat a lot of meat." or "I don't eat red meat." and I just respond...that's good to know! It is a non-issue to me.

 

I think both non-meat eaters and meat eaters alike jump to conclusions about one another and go on the defensive with each other. I think one needs to get to know a person better before making being a vegan a dealbreaker, but that is just my opinion.

[loverofloveandstuff]

When new people first find out I am a vegetarian the response I get A LOT of the time is..."I don't eat a lot of meat." or "I don't eat red meat." and I just respond...that's good to know! It is a non-issue to me.

 

Yeah, a lot of people gave me that response. One of my friends even told me 'I'm basically a chicken vegetarian because I only like chicken meat.' Another friend told me that she is 1/7th vegetarian because on Mondays she doesn't eat meat - no meat Mondays she calls it. Lol.

 

Then there are a couple of my friends who had no idea what a vegan was. 'Can you eat fish?' No, that's meat. 'Can you drink alcohol... because my Buddha friend says he is vegan and he doesn't drink alcohol?' (She meant Buddhist).