What would you do if a vegan guest showed up at your home?
A non-vegan friend sent me this question:
My brother’s girlfriend is going to my parent’s house this weekend for the first time. She is vegan and my mom isn’t sure what to have on hand and what to serve. I was wondering if you had any recipes I could pass along to my mom. She obviously wants to be a good hostess and provide her with food she would like. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Your non-vegan friend
Dear Non-vegan Friend,
I think your mom’s vegan guest will appreciate any effort to accommodate her food preferences. With advanced preparation, carnivores and vegans can dine together in harmony.
A quick trip to the grocery to stock a few items is a great start. Look for:
- Earth Balance butter spread
- almond, rice or soy milk (original or vanilla is a safe bet)
- hummus and guacamole
- chopped veggies and mixed greens
- fruit
- mixed nuts
- squash or sweet potatoes
- soy, almond or coconut yogurt
- Amy’s brand soups or burritos (check ingredient list: look for words like Vegan, and ‘contains no milk, egg’.
- a balsamic or Asian vinaigrette salad dressing
- cashews for garlic cream sauce or ranch dressing
A quinoa/bean salad is easy and provides plenty of sustenance and protein. A side dish of meat for those who want it can be discreetly prepared on the grill to keep the kitchen pleasant and fresh.
A quinoa/bean salad is easy and provides plenty of sustenance and protein. A side dish of meat for those who want it can be discreetly prepared on the grill to keep the kitchen pleasant and fresh.
Grilled, saute or roasted veggies go a long way and can be enjoyed with a great marinade or dipping sauce. Carnivores think of these as a side, so be sure to cook extra so there are plenty. Adding a baked potato to the mix creates a full and balanced meal.
Your houseguest would most likely be happy with oatmeal or granola with almond milk and fruit for breakfast, nut butters, hummus, salads with beans, fruits and vegetables, and nuts for lunch, and grilled or sautéed veggies with a whole grain like quinoa are for dinner. You can access lots of amazing recipes for vegans and non-vegans alike at lifeoffthelabel.com. There are many of ways to veganize just about any non-vegan recipe with non dairy milks, egg replacers, and non animal proteins, such as marinated tofu and tempeh, which are all available at a local grocer, such as Kroger. The Pembroke bakery in Fort Wayne offers lots of vegan options as well. Best wises!
FAQs
People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet. Their reasons for eating this way vary. Some vegans do it to improve their health, as research shows that a plant-based diet could lower the risk of certain diseases.
How to feed a vegan guest? ›
Vegan dinner party recipes
- Courgette curry. A star rating of 4.8 out of 5. ...
- Beetroot & red onion tarte tatin. ...
- Beetroot hummus party platter. ...
- Italian-style roast cabbage wedges with tomato lentils. ...
- App onlyWhole-roasted curried cauliflower & chickpeas. ...
- Refried beans. ...
- Vegan pie. ...
- App onlyCreamy vegan wild mushroom risotto.
5 diet rules vegans get right
- Eat foods that are in season. This isn't a steadfast vegan "rule," but many people who consciously choose to eat vegan are also making other conscious (or even unconscious) decisions. ...
- Fill up with fiber. ...
- Plant your protein. ...
- Eat those good-for-you fats. ...
- You may need to supplement.
A vegan diet means you don't consume anything that comes from animals, including:
- Meat, poultry and fish/shellfish.
- Eggs.
- Dairy – including cream sauces, dressings, or condiments.
- Meat-based broths, gravies or sauces.
People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet. Their reasons for eating this way vary. Some vegans do it to improve their health, as research shows that a plant-based diet could lower the risk of certain diseases.
How to go vegan without dying? ›
Our Guidelines For Eating A Plant-Based Diet
- Eat plenty of nutrient-dense vegetables at every meal.
- Eat a wide variety of organic, unprocessed foods.
- Eat protein with every meal.
- If you choose to eat grains, pick minimally processed grains like quinoa, amaranth, and oats.
Healthy eating as a vegan
base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates (choose wholegrain where possible) have some fortified dairy alternatives, such as soya drinks and yoghurts (choose lower-fat and lower-sugar options) eat some beans, pulses and other proteins.
What not to eat on a vegan diet? ›
Vegans avoid eating animal flesh and animal by-products. These include meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs and foods made by bees.
Can vegans eat honey? ›
The bottom line. Vegans try to avoid or minimize all forms of animal exploitation, including that of bees. As a result, most vegans exclude honey from their diets. Some vegans also avoid honey to take a stand against conventional beekeeping practices that can harm bee health.
What's the hardest part of being a vegan? ›
I usually tell them that being vegan is easy, especially when you imagine yourself in the animals' place. But if I'm pressed, I would have to say that the hardest thing about being vegan is the realisation that most people just don't care. I don't mean they don't care that I'm vegan. That's not an issue.
The simple answer is yes; vegans can eat bread. However, not all bread is created equal, and it's essential to check the ingredients list or labelling to ensure the bread is vegan-friendly. Some bread contains animal-derived ingredients such as eggs, milk, or honey, which are unsuitable for vegans.
Can vegans have peanut butter? ›
Most peanut butter is, indeed, vegan
In fact, most types of peanut butter in your local supermarket will be made from a few simple ingredients – roasted peanuts, oils, and salt.
Can a vegan eat cheese? ›
On the other hand, vegans avoid all animal products or animal byproducts, including dairy and milk. Because most cheese is made from cow's or goat's milk, most types are not vegan-friendly.
Can a vegan eat butter? ›
Traditional butter is made with churned milk or cream, which usually comes from cows (but it can also come from other animals like goats), and that's why it's not vegan. Many people also use margarine, which is similar to butter in texture and color, but it's usually made with plant-based fat instead of animal fat.
What to offer a vegan guest? ›
Summer is a great time for vegan dinner parties, and there are many ideas that you can try. You can make vegan BBQ skewers with vegetables and tofu, vegan pasta salad, vegan coleslaw, or vegan potato salad. You can also serve vegan ice cream or vegan fruit salad for dessert.
How do you accommodate vegans at a wedding? ›
Table of contents:
- Plan a vegan menu with your caterer.
- Choose a vegan-friendly venue.
- Find vegan vendors to support.
- Choose eco-friendly decor.
- Don't forget cruelty-free attire.
- Use plantbased makeup.
- The ideal vegan favours: consider donating to an animal sanctuary.
- Don't worry about what others think!
Two: Consider the “easy win” options where meat, dairy, fish and eggs are not the main event.
- Curries.
- Nachos.
- Tacos.
- Plant based burgers.
- Pizza or pasta or risotto with vegan cheese.
- Stir-fry's or satay kebabs with tofu.
- Shepherds pie or Dahl with lentils.
- Hearty salads with roasted veg and chickpeas.
