Going vegan is easy. Arguing about it all the time sucks.
Your family, your co-workers, random guy in the check out… Everyone knows more than you about what you should be eating and wants to make sure to tell you you’re wrong.

One of the most tiring days I ever had was when I wore a shirt that had been given to me that said, “Ask me why I’m vegan.” The last thing I want to do is have strangers know I’m vegan because they will feel compelled to come up and say one of the things on this list. Vegans, if you haven’t seen this yet, prepare to laugh at how true it is.

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So how do you handle situations so you aren’t always having to defend your calcium intake or what you would do if you were on a desert island and there was just meat?

There is a great amount of information on How to win an argument with a meat eater. The sheer volume of justification for going vegan is irrefutable. However, you can’t really just start spouting off info or hand everyone that asks a brochure.

One of the hardest things is that once you go vegan you are expected to be an expert on all things having to do with it. This will save you. Just say, “I’m not an expert but I have read many things that convinced me beyond a doubt that I was making the right decision. I’d love to direct you to them.” That way you aren’t expected to know the USDA of iron and what are the most absorbable forms etc.

Another thing you can do is give your mother a copy of “Diet For A New America” and say, “I’m not trying to change you, I just want you to understand where I’m coming from so you don’t worry about me.” If she reads it she’ll either go veggie herself or at least stick up for your diet in front of the rest of the family and have no problems fixing you some extra broccoli.

Probably the best way to not argue all the time is to not bring it up unless other people ask, then gauge if they want the short answer or the long one. I also read a person to see which angle they would relate to. I’m not gonna talk to a hunter about animal cruelty but they might be interested in health issues like how they can reduce their chance of heart attacks and impotence by eating less meat. Know your audience. And be chill. And don’t wear a shirt that says, “Ask me why I’m Vegan” unless you’re ready to play the bingo game.