How to Have a Conversation with a Vegetarian
How we get our protein, and other questions answered.
I’ve been a vegetarian for about four years as of this writing. Those who know me best are very used to it by now and, living in a big city, it’s usually a non-issue. However, I recently travelled back home to Pennsylvania and Ohio (the carnivorous Midwest / Northeast) to visit family and friends, and found myself having the same conversations over and over.
While veganism and vegetarianism are more socially accepted than they used to be, I’m frequently surprised at the general lack of knowledge surrounding these lifestyles. This is largely our own fault — diet-restrictive people from pescatarians to flexitarians seem to identify on an bewildering, ambiguous spectrum. (Ever heard of a Beegan?)
So here I am to dispense knowledge and, hopefully, ease the pain of vegetarians everywhere the next time you want to ask them, “how do you get your protein?”
A couple of admissions right up front:
- The burden of explanation does fall on the dietarily-restricted, as we’re still in the vast minority. Therefore, I will try to keep any indignation and sarcasm to a minimum.
- This is not a science-based post. While I’ve figured my own diet out for…
