How to Eat Vegetarian at Holiday Celebrations

It’s not easy being vegetarian around the holidays. Most holiday celebrations center around food and meat usually takes center stage. At Thanksgiving it’s turkey, while ham is usually the meat of choice during the Christmas season. Vegetarian eating during the holidays can be especially problematic if you’re celebrating the season at the homes of non-vegetarian friends or family members; but there’s no need to fret. You can have a pleasant holiday meal with omnivorous friends without offending or upsetting them. Here’s how to be happily vegetarian during the holiday season.

The Secrets of Vegetarian Eating During the Holidays

Let your host know you’re vegetarian ahead of time.

If you’ve been invited to have dinner at a non-vegetarian friend’s house, call a week in advance and let her know you’re a vegetarian – if she doesn’t already know. It will be more disruptive if you show up the day of the dinner and announce you can’t eat the meat she’s spent all day preparing. Don’t ask your host to prepare something special for you. Just let her know you’ll enjoy the company and any non-meat items she’s prepared.

Be flexible.

Successful vegetarian eating during the holidays requires flexibility. Chances are there will be many non-meat items at any dinner you attend. Pile your plate high with these and no one will notice you don’t have a slab of meat on your plate. Things can get a little stickier if you don’t know whether a recipe was prepared using animal products. This is why it’s important to inform your host ahead of time that you’re vegetarian. It’ll make it easier to ask about the preparation the day of the dinner. If there’s not much you can eat with a clear conscience, enjoy the company and eat a meal when you get home.

Vegetarian eating during the holidays: Be gracious and avoid controversy.

The holidays aren’t the time to push your vegetarian philosophy. If someone asks, politely tell them that you don’t eat meat and leave it at that. Holidays are a time to celebrate and give thanks, not to convert guests over to your vegetarian lifestyle. The four topics to avoid at a holiday dinner? Sex, politics, religion, and vegetarianism.

Vegetarian eating during the holidays: Don’t bring your own food without consulting the host first.

Your host may be offended if you bring your own food without letting her know ahead of time. On the other hand, it’s perfectly acceptable to bring a vegetarian dish for everyone to enjoy if it’s acceptable to your host.

Vegetarian eating during the holidays: The Bottom Line?

Flexibility is key. Keep in mind that holidays only come around a few times a year. Relax and enjoy them.