Being a strict vegetarian means I don't include any meat or fish in my diet, but it's easy for me to run into problems concerning what I eat. Most of the time, I'm not bugged by the issues I encounter, but there are those occasional times when I really get annoyed because of how others react to my dietary restrictions. Of those moments, here are nine situations that any vegetarian will eventually find him or herself in the middle of.

1. Being picky with restaurant menus

It can't be helped! It's really tough to find something to eat at certain restaurants because the only vegetarian option is a salad! I've once had to explain to others that I'm ordering salad because there's nothing else to eat and not because I'm on a really crazy diet.

2. Eating at a friend's house

I always hate how whiny I sound when I have to tell my friends, "I'm a vegetarian," before I have lunch or dinner at their houses. It's something I've had to do more times than I count, and I have to force myself not to cringe as soon as I tell them. It shouldn't bother me as much as it does, but it does make me feel like I'm burdening them with my dietary restrictions.

3. Saying "no" to others who offer meat products

This one annoys me more than I can even explain; it's so ignorant and disrespectful when someone does this to me. I'll tell him or her that I'm a vegetarian, and he or she immediately takes a piece of meat and waves it in my face while asking, "Are you sure you're not tempted right now? Try it!" Of course, let me just break my habit of being a vegetarian my whole life just to taste the meat you're sticking in my face! I'm sure we'll both be happy afterward.

4. Always searching ingredient labels for gelatin

Gelatin is one of my worst enemies because it shows up in the most random of places. But what saddens me the most is that Jell-O has gelatin in it, so I can't eat it! There are obviously alternatives to the foods that contain this product, but it just doesn't feel the same.

5. Worrying about a lack of certain nutrients

Vitamin B-12 is the biggest culprit; vegetarians oftentimes don't get enough of it with their normal, day-to-day diets. Fortunately, vitamin supplements help to a degree, but it's always a bit scary to suddenly be reminded of those missing nutrients.

6. Explaining to others that vegetarians don't just eat vegetables

This isn't as big of a problem as it once was, but it's definitely something every vegetarian will eventually have to do. I used to hate vegetables, so I'd take it as a huge insult to be told that all I eat are vegetables. In case you didn't know, vegetables and rice are just the starting point. There's a still whole world of food without meat.

7. Either eating pasta or rice once again

I can't describe my obsession with pasta as much as I can't explain my hatred for rice. Both are staple dishes in any vegetarian diet, which explains why I'm just drawn to the pasta section every time I'm at the grocery store. There have been weeks when I've looked back and realized all I'd eaten was rice for dinner every night and pasta for lunch every day. Even then, I'll never stop eating pasta (and rice).

8. Having sudden urges to become a health nut

For a good few days, I'll be on top of my game, but I'll be so motivated to eat healthily that I'll tire myself with how excited I am to eat better. Eventually, I just stick with the same diet that works for me, and I go back to eating pasta frequently.

9. Being the only vegetarian friend in a group

Once again, this makes me feel like my diet is an inconvenience to the rest of my friends when we decide to share something we order. I just feel bad that they all have a set order in mind, and I have to change it because I can't eat what they're having. This also shouldn't be something that bugs me, but I do feel guilty for being the one reason why others can't have exactly what they want to eat.

Nonetheless, it's always going to be veggies for life, and even holiday dinners can't change that (though eating out will still have its fair share of awkwardness).