9 Things You Really Shouldn't Say to a Vegan
Please, please don’t ask anyone plant-based if they miss cheese
1 November 2018

The 1st of November marks World Vegan Day…
Veganism is the practice of abstaining from consuming any animal products, which includes milk, cheese, eggs, honey and meat.
The plant-based diet is becoming increasingly popular worldwide –it’s recently started to trend in India –as many are recognising the holistic benefits of switching to veganism. Dubai has also seen an increase of vegan foods and restaurants popping up around the city.
But, there’s still a stigma attached to the vegan diet and many misconceptions surrounding the lifestyle choice.
So here are the things you really shouldn’t say to a vegan –but you’ve probably heard before!
1. “Do you miss *insert cheese/eggs/butter here*?”
Sigh. Sure I might miss the odd bit of Cheddar, but obviously not enough to overturn my beliefs. So I’m good, thanks.
2. “I could never go vegan.”
A) It’s not that hard and B) no one actually asked you to.
3. “So you’re a hippie?”
Weirdly enough, just because I eat plant-based food doesn’t mean I walk around barefoot strumming a guitar.
4. “You must be really healthy then.”
Sure, all I eat is lentils and kale. Oh wait – ever heard of Oreos, Starburst or Hula Hoops? The list of vegan-friendly treats is endless.
5. “But cows need to be milked?”
Of course cows need to be milked – but that milk is for their babies, not for humans, so I’m going to give it a miss.
6. “You must be super militant and radical.”
Of course some vegans are, but most of us are just quietly living our lives (minus the animal products of course).
7. “But steak/cheese/chocolate is so tasty!”
*Insert eye roll here*.
8. “Where do you get your protein from if you don’t eat meat?”
This mentality that meat is the only place you can get decent amounts of protein from is bizarre. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, nuts, oats, certain fruit and veg – so much of the food we eat is choc-full of protein.
9. “What do you eat?”
This truly is the classic. It’s really not that hard to be vegan and in all honesty I can’t be bothered to teach you – give it a Google and you’ll find out. Meanwhile, I’m going to go tuck into a (vegan) curry.