The eye-opening truth about being a vegan

On May 29th, 2015 I made a decision that changed my entire life. I decided that from that day on, I would no longer spend money on or consume any animal products whatsoever. Yes, that’s right, I did the unthinkable. I went vegan. And boy have I learned a lot over the past year.

I’ve come to realize that many people don’t understand what it means to be a vegan or how it is even possible, and so I’ve decided to write this little piece about what it’s really like to eat a plant-based diet and what I’ve learned to help prevent me from keeling over and dying at any moment.

How to eat like a rabbit

Believe it or not, you actually get to eat food as a vegan…and like it! I know, I was just as surprised as you are. When I was studying in NYC I was living like a queen because there were vegan options everywhere you looked! But even when I’m home living in boring old central Massachusetts, I can eat awesome food.

Craving a burger? Me too! As a vegan you get to eat all sorts of burgers: black bean burgers, quinoa burgers, sweet potato burgers, portobello mushroom burgers, beet burgers, tofu burgers, veggie burgers, you name it! And for the most part they are all delicious!

You can even eat mac n’ cheese! There are hundreds of recipes out there for how to make a plant-based version. Pretty much anything you can eat as a carnivore you can replicate in a vegan version. Sometimes you have to purchase some pretty strange, and sometimes pricey, ingredients but for those recipes I recommend saving them for times when you want to splurge and treat yourself.

The ‘V’ word

One of the first lessons you learn is that people generally dislike hearing that you are a vegan. It’s like learning someone is a Trump supporter living in Massachusetts, it just doesn’t go over well.

There is a time and place to talk about this type of lifestyle and that time is usually never and the place is pretty much nowhere. Why? Well, apparently most people think that vegans are sinister creatures capable of shooting lasers out of their eyeballs. So, when they hear that you are a part of that terrifying group of individuals, naturally they take a step back.

I mean look at us, we’re terrifying right?

But on a tad more realistic note, I’ve noticed that most people simply assume that someone being a vegan means that we automatically judge everyone else, and they take a defensive stance right away. But I’m here to tell everyone that we aren’t judging you at all! In fact, the bad attitudes that come from being defensive towards us is what makes us judge more than your decision to stick to social norms.

How to blend in in public

This is probably the toughest part about being a “you-know-what”. I mean, how am I able to walk around everyday, drinking my iced black coffee and prevent people from pointing a staring? It’s pretty complicated, I’ll admit.

Primarily, I have to make sure I’m fully clothed, walking (not running or crawling) and try to avoid screaming in fear whenever I pass a restaurant that sells animal products.

Just kidding! It’s actually super easy to go out with friends and family and avoid drawing attention to your dietary habits. I often find my friends asking me where I want to eat, but I usually just tell them that anywhere is fine. Because it is! You can eat pretty much anywhere as a vegan and find something to eat. It’s as simple as asking your server to take off the cheese. Voila!

How to control your psychic powers

Surprisingly vegans do not have any unusual super powers. This was the biggest disappointment when I made the change. I was really mislead by watching Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.