Being a vegetarian isn't hard, but the most exhausting part of a vegetarian lifestyle is having to deal with the ceaseless and uninformed questions and judgment from the general public. Contrary to popular belief, vegetarians and vegans do not spend their free time hanging out with fruits and veggies in a field and aren't "hippies." What people eat is a personal choice and it is best to just live and let live. Here are so of the constant struggles those living a vegetarian lifestyle have to deal with on a daily basis:
1. You’re going to need to make a multi-vitamin a daily routine.
Although fruit, vegetables, beans and grains are very nutritious, they cannot supply some vitamins and minerals that you need to survive. In order to get an adequate amount of these, you’ll need to make sure you take vitamins to fulfill your daily requirement.
2. People will always assume that you are a psychotic animal rights activist.
Yes, a reason for becoming vegetarian was because I believed the lives of defenseless animals was more valuable than my need to consume meat. However, I am not going to fill your mind with graphic images of slaughterhouses as you eat meat. My reasons for becoming vegetarian will not affect you in any way.
3. Going out to eat will become a nightmare for you.
Suddenly, every new restaurant causes you anxiety because you are sure you will not find anything you’ll want on the menu. Especially revisiting restaurants you know do you have anything you like because your other family members like it there.
4. People who choose to eat meat will verbally attack you when you choose a meat-less option.
“You’re not going to get any meat? So you think you’re better than us now?” will be a common reply when you decline a hamburger or bacon. No, I’m not declining meat because I think I am better than anyone else. My own personal preference has nothing to do with you.
5. "Can I have the chicken salad without the chicken?" will become your most used phrase.
Do not even ask me how many weird looks I've received from this question.
6. Some restaurants will still charge you the same price for meat-dishes without the meat.
Crazy, right? Some people think becoming vegetarian is easier on their wallet. However, some restaurants will still charge you the same price for the plate of lettuce as the plate with the huge chicken on top of the lettuce.
7. When you tell people you don't eat meat, they automatically become your personal dietitian.
Don't ask me about my protein intake and I won't ask you about your cholesterol, okay? There are certainly other protein sources besides meat. Peanut butter, beans, whole grains, eggs...which leads me to my next point...
8. People will constantly ask you, "so can you eat eggs?"
I mean, technically, an egg is a baby chicken, so it is up to the vegetarian whether they want to avoid eggs or not. Personally, I think eggs can definitely be considered part of a vegetarian diet.
9. People will act as if you aren't human because you choose not to eat meat.
“Wait, so you don’t eat meat? I don’t get how that’s possible.” The number of times I've heard this is literally mind blowing. Well, people have been vegetarian for years and are still alive, so it is most definitely possible. Vegetarians do not possess some super-human quality that meat-eaters do not have. Your inability to fathom that doesn’t make it any less possible.
10. You will get really sick of carnivores stupid relentless "jokes."
The last but certainly not the least. A favorite among these jokes seems to be figuring out the amount of money it would take to make a vegetarian cave on their morals. “Would you eat a burger right now for $1,000?" Unless you are seriously going to hand over that money, don't ask that question. Another personal favorite of mine is when carnivores try to convince you everything you're eating "has meat in it, you just can't tell." Yes, I'm sure this peanut butter and jelly sandwich has meat in it. Thanks for the concern, but no.
