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Need help with non vegan boyfriend
Started
by new vegan
on December 3, 2009
I was wondering if anyone has some advice about feeding a non vegan signifcant other. I love to cook, but with a full time job I only get to cook about 2-3 times a week. My boyfriend is completely anti-vegan/ vegetarian. I try and talk to him about eating healthier, but it is hard for him to listen. Since he is a meat-eater it is harder for me to eat the way I would like to. Does anyone know a good compromise on this or any good versatile recipces that can be made either way?
OMG, I am so with you on that one. My bf is a 6"2 200 caveman lol! An actual super-carnivore! He could he meat with meat with meat.
It has been hard! I have 5 children (three left at home) and two are totally supportive with the whole vegan thing but one of them is a mini caveman and wants the meat.
The problem I am coming into is that I cook them meat and now it grosses me out! I feel my kitchen is contaminated! Sometimes I just throw stuff in the crockpot for them and let it stew, Then cook my good veggie stuff. Not sure how to handle this one too.
I feel the same way with the contamination thing!!!!
I totally understand where you are coming from! My hubby and two teenage boys are hearty meat-eaters with NO plans of going vegan like me. It makes it difficult, as I have to cook two dinners every night, and the smell of cooking their meat turns my stomach. One thing that has helped is utilizing the crock pot for them. Like today, I am going home for lunch and will through a quick stew together in the crock pit for them. Meat, potatoes, carrots and salsa actually - they love this and it is so easy for a stew. Then tonight I only have to cook for me. Also, last night I did a bean and beef chili, only I scooped out a portion for me before adding the hamburger. Spaghetti sauce works the same way. Natural Food Markets have some great premade vegan dinners that I keep in my fridge, so some night I cook for the family and then heat up my dish. Hope some of this helps. I know it's a struggle, but your health is worth it!
This is a tough one. My boyfriend is also anti-vegan / huge meat eater. It has caused some major problems in our relationship with him claiming "things will never be the same." Maybe start with simple grains and veggies that he enjoys and if he wants meat, he has to make it. You can also slowly start asking him to try vegan things you have made, just to see if he likes it. As far as eating out, tell him it is important to you to find a place that will have a few veggie options. I doubt you are asking him to go to all vegan restaurants all the time but say that he needs to respect this new way of eating and at least try one for you. There are a surprising amount of places that have veggie options it just takes a little more research on your part. Men can be stubborn so don't let it get you down just do what feels good to you and hope that he slowly understands. Hope this helps a little bit!
this can be tricky. my fiance isn't vegan, but he respects my choices with food. i only cook healthy vegan food (mainly superhero, and some just vegan), and my fiance eats what i make and is happy about it. in the summer, he'll occasionally grill up steak or when we go out to dinner order meat. the funny thing now though is that he eats vegan most days (i'd say 85-90% of the time-- and when he eats meat now it is only from local free range farms). when he does occasionally have meat now he tells me how bad he physically feels. he is eating less and less and less... lead by example, and don't lecture him especially when he is eating. i'll even say, "how's your steak?" and "i'm glad you enjoyed your dinner," etc. tell him how awesome you feel.
anhow, besides everything i just mentioned, i think you need to sit down and talk with your boyfriend. it is one thing to be a meat eater, but another to be anti-vegan. does he support you? does he expect for you to cook him dead animals? you need to stay strong to your beliefs. if he wants to cook meat, fine, but he should not make you or make you feel bad for your choices. as with any relationship issues, you need to be honest and talk about your feelings. if he is not going to respect your choices and feelings it says a lot.
he doesn't mind that i am vegan, and he likes some of the things I make. He just wants me to cook something else for him with meat because he grew up, as did I, with meat in every meal and believes the only way to have a "balanced" meal is to eat meat as a part of the meal. I have just come to hate cooking meat. Thank you everyone for your suggestions! This really helps!
okay, i'm glad to hear that he doesn't mind you being a vegan. when i read anti-vegan i got scared!
this is tough, i think Molly had a good point with creating the other parts of the meal, and if he wants meat to make it himself.
i think with time you guys will get into a routine that works.
if he respects your views that is the one most important thing,,,i wish my boyfriend was an animal lover and vegetarian a least..the upside is he will eat vegan meals and he will occassionally pet my kitty cats(i only have 2 of them)..sometimes i wonder if i should be with someone a little more like me..its a tough one
I try to go with a lot of "sides" to make one big meal.
This way, rice, beans, veggies, and other things that are good altogether could MAYBE have a meat put on top....IF he must.
Hope it goes ok! If anything, tea is a good thing for couples to enjoy...maybe he'll come around.... :)
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