So you want to date a vegan. Good choice! You’ve already chosen a mate who you know will be compassionate and kind. But keep in mind, there are some things to know when you choose to date a vegan. After all, you do want to make sure they stick around, don’t you? Well keep reading to make sure that happens for you and good luck! :) Date a vegan and watch how your life improves. And I’m not just saying that because I’m one of them, hehe.
1. Do Your Research
It’s a good thing you’re here, because one of the biggest turn offs for a vegan is someone who knows absolutely nothing about their lifestyle. We don’t want the entire first date or relationship to turn into us teaching you all the ways of veganism. What’s really hot is when someone took the time to do the research on their own of what a vegan lifestyle entails. So here’s some quick points to note, but be sure to do your own research too! It’ll show them how much you actually care about their chosen lifestyle.
Vegans do not consume, wear, or use anything that comes from an animal this means…
No meat
No fish or shellfish
No eggs
No dairy
No honey
It’s not only about diet. Vegans avoid exploiting animals for any purpose. This includes beauty products, bathroom items, clothing, entertainment, or any product tested on an animal.
When you show up to your date well versed on what a vegan’s lifestyle actually entails, it’ll show your future significant other you actually care about their values. Did somebody say (vegan) brownie points?!
2. Don’t Be Offensive
It’s probably pretty obvious you don’t want to be offensive on a date. But there are probably many questions you want to ask the vegan you’re taking out. But we’ve gotten these questions so many times, it starts to become annoying or downright offensive. So here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions I’ve gotten on dates so you can avoid some awkward conversation.
Where do you get your protein?
Trust us, we’ve been asked this question enough times to worry about it our damn selves. We absolutely know we don’t want to date ANYONE who doesn’t realize you can get plenty of protein on a vegan diet. We’re not asking you what you’re going to do about your high cholesterol or heart disease, so please don’t worry about our protein intake.
Do you care if I eat meat in front of you?
Certainly some vegans might mind, but not the one who consciously decided to go on a date with a non-vegan. We would be complete LONERS if we never went out with anyone, platonic or not, if it was going to bother us they ate meat. Obviously, it would be preferable for you to care enough not to, but don’t make us say that.
Why do vegans name their food after things they don’t want to eat?
We don’t want to eat the actual thing because of many reasons, but naming it after the same thing gives us an idea of what it will look and taste like. It might also make it more likely a non-vegan will want to try it. You know what’s also funny? I never remember you actually eating a dog when you eat a HOT DOG. Or you saying you’ll have a COWburger when you have a hamburger. So let it go, it’s really not that big of a deal or worth ruining your date.
What do you even eat?
This one is a real blood boiler. We eat everything you do, minus the animals. It’s 2021 people, get with the times. Anything you eat, vegans can eat, just VEGAN! Don’t be ignorant and ask this question, it’s just not even intelligent at this point. Pay attention, be polite, and maybe we’ll let you stick around long enough to find out!
3. Be Open Minded
Your vegan date might ask to go to a vegan restaurant, and the key is to stay open minded. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious the food is and how good it makes you feel. No food coma so you can actually enjoy the date beyond dinner and drinks! Just because you haven’t heard of a certain food before like seitan, nutritional yeast, or tempeh, doesn’t mean you won’t like it. Give it a chance and show the vegan you are pursuing you could actually be supportive.
4. Respect Their Boundaries
Dating a vegan might require a bit more compromising than you’re used to. The lifestyle can create complexities you weren’t thinking about when single or dating another omnivore. Whether or not things move on from the first date, is up to both of you, but be respectful when it comes to moving forward in everyday life. Aside from compromising on restaurants, you’ll likely encounter whether or not they want you cooking meat in the house, or eventually how they’d probably like their children to be raised vegan.
5. Be Prepared
Aside from the alone time together, be prepared when it comes to group settings. Most vegans will figure something out for themselves and bring their own food to a planned group activity. But once you become a pair or it’s more on your domain, it would be thoughtful of you to consider your vegan partner and either help them prepare or ask hosts to have a vegan option for your loved one. It goes a long way to a vegan to see their non-vegan partner look out for them.
All in all, dating a vegan isn’t much more difficult than dating anyone else. It just takes some preparation, an open mind, and heart. Eventually before you know it, the “vegan thing” becomes a normal part of life and your world has truly broadened in a more compassionate and thoughtful way. Dating a vegan isn’t for everyone, but it is absolutely worth it. ;) Not that I’m biased or anything.