Vegetarians living with meat eaters??

Question

I'm in the process of "transitioning" to vegetarianism and my bf is a hardcore carnivore. I know there are people who live this way - any good success stories? And please don't suggest I try to sway him toward veggie-ism, it's never going to happen. Thanks!

Answer 1

Since you don't have an ethical issue with it, it should be really easy.  Plan meals that can have meat cooked separately and then added for him.  Most restaurants offer something in the way of a vegetarian dish, so eating out shouldn't be a huge problem.  Even "hardcore carnivores" can usually manage a meatless meal once in awhile, so he ought to be willing to go to a vegetarian restaurant with you occassionally, just so you have a chance to get some variety.

I am veg*n for ethical reasons so I won't buy or cook meat.  My meat-eating boyfriend and I still manage to make it work.  He doesn't cook much so I do the cooking and he eats mainly veg*n at home and just gets his meat fix outside the house.  I don't stop him from bringing it into the house (usually in the form of pizza or takeout) but it has to be kept separately from the veg*n food in the fridge.  Really, it's not a problem for us.

Answer 2

My best friend is a meatatarian and he has a veggie GF and they have lived together for years now.  He does tend to cook more meat when she is away.

But I myself would not go out with a veggie since I love to cook for my girlfriends and cooking veggie is not my strong point.  It's kind of a similar situation with smokers dating non-smokers and so on.

The main thing is not to be judgemental about his eating meat which will not give him cause to be judgemental about your going veg.  Some folks have a 'no meat in the house rule' but this is pretty tiresome after a while.   I lived in one vegetarian house and they gave me grief for eating meat even outside of the house.

Answer 3

The vegetarian diet is the way to go. I have a large family, and two of us our vegetarians while the other four love meat. The best suggestion I have is to be flexible. In my family, my parents cook all of the meals, and me and my stepsister help when they are cooking only meat. Usually, we make one vegetarian dish and one meat dish, with easy side dishes such as salads, bread , or rice that anyone can eat. Everyone is pretty flexible and if something doesn't work we like to have microwaveable dishes on hand that way everyone has a choice, even if they don't like what is being served at the table.

Answer 4

I am surrounded by "carnivores."  It is not a problem.  You cannot expect those around you to conform to your habits.  It IS a little difficult when going out to eat because so many restaurants have very little if anything to offer vegetarians.  They have excellent vegetarian/vegan restaurants.  Some of the dishes may not contain meat but it would pleasantly surprise a "meat eater" how tasty non-meat food can be. They have to be willing to at least give it a try once in a while.

Answer 5

Just fix everything as you are now - except for meat products totally separate.

You both should be able to eat the vegetables - unless your putting some sort of meat within them - so no need to worry there.

Depending on if your going to be eating dairy and eggs - you may have to make adjustments there.

Eating out - just call before to see what they have so that you can adapt to what is on the menu that both of you can eat.

I don't see any real problems at all that can't be overcome.

Answer 6

Well I've been a Vegetarian for around 1yr and a couple of months w/everyone in the household being meat eaters and well I havent had the urge to consume any. I think it has to do w/ one; whether or not they are willing to become vegetarian and not change for another and such.

Answer 7

u foo yo got to eat real food man!how u like my black man impression? anyway if god had something against meat hed tell us. help out a farmer would ya k catch u later

Answer 8

Um, yeah. Don't be preachy about vegetarianism, let him do what he wants.  If he preaches to you, then ask him to stop.  BAM problem solved.

Answer 9

i m non veg but my mom and dad are veggies lol

so weird rite

but its ok they don;t mind

Answer 10

Go pick up a copy of The Flexitarian Table. It's perfect for your situation. The recipes all have vegetarian and meat options. In short, you make part of the meal, then either divide it and add a protein in each, or the protein gets cooked individually. It's great.

Answer 11

I'm vegan and live with my omni fiance. He has his own non-vegan things but they stay well away from all the other food in the fridge etc, and if he wants to eat meat he has to cook it himself. When we go out to eat he eats whatever he wants (although I prefer it if he doesn't try to kiss me straight after eating a burger!) He knew that was the case before we moved in together & it works fine.

Answer 12

Good question. Don't ever try to convict him of his ways or even roll your eyes while the guy is trying to enjoy a steak. Simply compromise. My friends older brother was a vegetarian and he was moving in with his girlfriend, a burger and ribs lovin girl. How coincidental! They simply found alteriors for dinners. Sometimes the girl sacrifised her meat crave once in a while to try out a veggie restaurant. Don't expect him to sacrifise a lot and don't freak out when he won't try a bit of soy. It's similar to someone who drinks and their partner who just doesn't. What to do? One drinks what they want and the other doesn't! Simple! So yeah this should be cake for ya'll. Just don't let your food preferances get in the way of a great relationship. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Answer 13

You will just have to ignore the fact that not everyone around is a veggy. if they eat meat ignore it its your choice not to and its theirs to do so. No biggy I wouldnt think unless you cant keep quiet about oppions on meat eaters.

Answer 14

I agree with kenny. Just do eat what u will and let him eat what he will as long neither try to preach.

Answer 15

You do your thing and let him do his thing. Like you said, changing him will not happen. Guys dont change for anybody anyway. I have a couple friends that went vegetarian. Its not like humans are addicted to meat, just dont eat it. It's not like trying to quite cigarettes.

Answer 16

try microwavable lean cuisines. they are delicious and good for you. if you buy these, you can have a vegetarian one for you and a meat one for your boyfriend. i'm a vegetarian as well, and my whole family eats meat. they mostly just make two things, one for me and one for them or they get me lean cuisine

Answer 17

My brother is a "hardcore carnivore" as well. He hunts and everything. His girlfriend has been a vegetarian for about 5 years. They have no problems.

When they eat, they do make lots of vegetables, but he always gets a serving of meat for dinner. She used to try to make him eat tofu and soy products, but that's not him.

Just make sure he has some meat, and you'll be fine.

Answer 18

I do it! Its all about respect! You don't try and make him switch and he shouldn't make you.

Answer 19

You can always get a separate fridge so you don't mistakenly eat things that are non-vegetarian.

A tiny one would be most sufficient.

Go to restaurants that have vegetables and meats that are seperated. Hometown Buffet is a great place for you and so is Fresh Choice or Sweet Tomatoes.

Concentrate on your transition and don't worry about your bf, unless he wants you to cook something. If it's meat, he has to cook it himself.

Answer 20

This is a good time to teach him how to cook for himself lol. Or just make veggies stirfry or cheesy rice. It really isn't hard.

Answer 21

I have been vegetarian for 17 years. I still occassionally cook meat for my husband, but I figure he eats out at lunch most days, so he can have his carnivor fix then! Of course, even though he is a meat eatter he isn't too picky. I fix bean burritos or tacos, spaghetti with veggies added instead of meat. He also has his big bar-b-que grill, so he can slap on some meat whenever the mood strikes him. The way I see it, by feeding him SOME non-meat meals I am making him a bit healthier too. (like I said, he isn't picky and he is willing to try some vegetarian meals) He will eat Quorn products and also a riblet product that has good sauce on it, can't remember the brand.

Answer 22

First, That's great that you are becoming a vegetarian...The more the better for the animals! Well, I have a friend who is a vegetarian and her whole family is not. When her family has chicken or other meats, she has gotten used to eating different meals. Sometimes she eats the other foods such as rice, salad, pasta, etc. You'll get used to not eating meat...

When going out to dinner:

Of course when you are going out to dinner, your boyfriend can order whatever meat dish he wants and you can order whatever dish you want as well.

When you are having a meal together:

When you guys are planning to make dinner yourself, make sure to make a variety of things. Maybe you could make a meat dish along with many other choices that would be yummy for both of you but without the meat. I think you will do fine, and hopefully our boyfriend will support you by helping to make different choices or dinners, some with meat and some not :) GOOD LUCK!