Funadvice Logo
+ List
More Food & Dining Questions

How to survive being vegetarian on Thanksgiving?

My family is a meat eating family. My uncle and grandpa even hunt. But, I don’t like meat. At Thanksgiving two or three years ago, I decided to stop eating meat because I found the turkey so unappetizing. I tend to stick to mashed potatoes and stuff…but my family gives me a hard time about not eating meat during the holidays. Do you have any advice on how to get through it?

Also, I’m not looking for advice on how to have a healthy diet as a vegetarian. I know that already. I just want advice on how to deal with family members who give me a hard time for not eating meat.

Become an Expert →
Answer #1

Assuming you are lacto-ovo thanksgiving is one of the easiest times to be a vegetarian because in most households there are so many good side dishes.

Like esconsult1 said, don’t make a big deal about it. If somone teases you just laugh along with everyone. I remember when I was 19 when I came home from college on Thanksgiving break and anounced to everyone that I was a vegetarian. My dad said he’d believe when he saw me pass on turkey. That thanksgiving my dad kept asking me, “you need more turkey and gravy?” every few minutes. My dad still teases me about being a vegetarian 27 years later. He’d never say it to my face but I’ve overheard him bragging to other people about what a healthy diet I eat.

A lot of people see vegetarians as “holier than thou” types who wear their virtue on their sleave. If you stay good natured about it everyone should realize that you don’t think less of them for eating meat. If carnivores think you are condescending toward them they will gang up on you.

Answer #2

I’ve been a vegitarian for almost a year. I decided to become a vegitarian a little after Thanksgiving of 2006. But the way I’m going to survive this Thansgiving, is just by thinking that the turkey was once a living breathing animal. And someone killed it just so we could eat it and the craving will be gone.

Answer #3

I have the same problem too. Just dont make a fuss about it. If you do it quietly enough then people won’t even notice that you have not touched the meat.

Answer #4

well this year get a piece cut it up and eat everything else but not that!and say your ful!

More Like This
Ask an advisor one-on-one!
Advisor

Zaika Indian Cuisine NY

Indian Restaurant, Buffet, Dining

Advisor

Enhance Your Palate

Food & Drink, Health & Wellness, Recipes

Advisor

Plant Rich Catering

Catering, Vegetarian Food, Online Ordering

Advisor

Google マップ

地図, ナビゲーション, 交通

Advisor

Veggie Champ

Food & Beverage, Vegan Products, Plant-based Meats