Another annoying vegan post here… Well, not completely…this may interest you if you are a healthy eater.
When people ask me what the hardest part of vegan eating is, I tell them “the snark” People have their opinions, their impulse reactions, I get that. I’m probably guilty of it myself for other things in life. But some of the snark really gives me a rage.
A recent example is that a seemingly unhealthy person told me to eat some real food. I didn’t realize that my broccoli was fake? As much as I want to continue to gripe about this particular example, I won’t, because I don’t want my snark to be misconstrued.
It reminds me of this funny quote: “Most people don’t realize this, but you can eat organic, gluten-free food without telling everyone around you about it” From the moment I decided to go vegan I thought of this quote and promised myself I wouldn’t become one of THOSE vegans, who can babble on about kale for hours (yet, here I am, blogging about vegan problems). Sure, I may post an occasional photo of something that I made from scratch and I’m really excited about it. But when I do share my little excitement for the day, I don’t include cynicism for other people’s choices with things like “omg-look at my awesome kale chips, your pepperoni pizza is soooo bad for you!!”
Food is a huge part of everyone’s life whether you eat chicken wings or not. Whatever it is that you eat, that’s really great, and I’m really happy for you to enjoy your dietary preferences too. The thing is, I’m glowing with excitement about this whole vegan thing. So why attempt to put me down for something that makes me happy?
Let me eat my real food.
I think it’s great you found a diet that works for you and makes you happy. I think everyone should do that. I personally don’t care what people eat. I also do not understand someone who doesn’t think vegetables are real food. I think it’s fine to share some meals. I don’t want to hear about every meal anyone eats whether it is vegan, all meat, vegetarian or paleo. I don’t think you are over-sharing. And it is a huge part of your life now. Keep on eating the real food.
Thank you, and PLEASE, don’t hesitate to tell me if I ever become an over-share-er.
Keep on posting what you want to talk about and what interests you! Isn’t that the point of having your own blog? I enjoy running, but I do have other interests. I find your variety of topics interesting
I am a pizza eater, but still try to incorporate healthier eating into my life and your post have given me some great ideas
Thanks! Glad you’ve gotten some ideas from here!
Amen sister. I actually rarely tell people I am a veg-head as I don’t want the snark and really…I don’t want the attention. I find though that the biggest bitches come from the most unhealthy people so it takes a lot of not tell them to turn that snark around….
I tend not to bring it up for the same reason, though it’s a very recent change for me and often has to come up so that my friends/family can stop offering me certain treats that I once would devour without the blink of an eye.
And you’re right, it’s the most unhealthy people so far that have taken the snark too far.
I completely agree. I personally couldn’t (wouldn’t?) be a vegan, but I still commend you for your courage start and determination to continue!! I like seeing the recipes you post/pin/comment on.
Also, I hate the snark and get it often from my coworkers when they see or smell the vegetables I pack for lunch everyday. Never apologize for healthy choices!
What if every time someone gave us snark we threw a cherry tomato at their face?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a vegan or just eating something slightly out of the norm, people will give you the same speech. I was eating spaghetti squash the other day and someoen told me I need to just give it up and eat some real food.
OK.
Because spaghetti squash is imaginary. Duh. :p
I think “those vegans” are the ones that bring out the snark in the rest of us. Yea…us, I’m one of them. Its definitely the “I’m vegan, I’m healthier than you, I have more control than you” attitude that gets tiring. I never really thought of it that way until you mentioned it! Guess I’ll need to stop with “I eat red meat and love cheese” attitude too while I’m at it…oops!
Absolutely agree with you there, when someone comes off that way, then I can understand the snarky comebacks!
I agree with you.
I once heard a saying “My food, my way”. I think that says it all.
America is fat. We use food to celebrate everything. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Holidays. Fundraisers. Then when stats come out that talk about how obese we are, everyone asks “WHAT CAN WE DO?” in a whiny voice. Having made many decisions at such events to not partake, I get those “live a little” or “it’s just one piece” comments. I’ve never said it out loud, but I want to say, “I am living a little … bit longer than you.” Try that. See what happens.
A) That sandwich is smiling and me. B) I could never be vegan because I have absolutely zero discipline to the point of ridiculousness, and I look at people who can successfully stick to a healthy plan and want to throw myself off the roof because it’ll never be me. I commend you, and think it’s awesome. C) I love pizza and chicken wings. D) Vegetables are real food, assholes. E) I like that you’re not the healthy person who tells all of us “unhealthy” persons that we’re going to die. Ahem. F) YAY! G) Thank god I’m a runner, or I’d be in even worse shape.
I think a lot of those comments are defensive — people think they “should” be eating better and so find a snarky thing to say when others do make healthier choices.
I avoid discussing my food with people as much as possible, and eating at people’s home/events due to my food “particularity”. I’m very picky, I don’t like my food to touch, and a casserole is completely out of the question. I have food allergies, but I also just don’t like a lot of food either. Meat hasn’t been something I’m interested in too much either. I like my salads to be just romaine lettuce with olive oil. See? WIERD. What I can’t stand the most is when people want to tell me how I eat is wrong, or unacceptable. I’ve been living with food snark my whole life. It drives me insane.
You keep on blogging about being vegan! I love reading about it!
This makes sense. I remember the time I invited you over for pasta before the Madison 13.1 and you KINDLY declined. It’s all a matter of kindness and understanding. People who don’t have those two characteristics suck.