By TJ Edouard, Contributing Writer
Recently, I became a vegan for ethical reasons. I’ve seen the videos on animals tortured, and though it moved me, I decided I couldn’t give up meat and dairy. If I was going to join PETA, it would be People Eating Tasty Animals. Abstaining from leather and fur seems easier, so I contributed to “cruelty-free” politics in that way. My family is from Haiti and the South, and giving up chicken (jerked, curried or fried), chitlins, bacon, goat and beef wasn’t a sacrifice I was willing to make.
Yet, this fueled my desire for the self-determination and perseverance that I saw in other students, which led me to make the decision. Sure, they were annoying with their pamphlets at the atrium table. And I really didn’t care that Lackmann Dining Services didn’t provide enough alternative foods for vegan. However, standing for something that you believe in is better than disregarding it because you are too selfish to pretend to care.
Since I went vegan, I noticed more than the obvious cheeseburger became eradicated from my diet. A lot of products are made with whey or gelatin, both animal byproducts. Even Kellogg’s cereals are off limits. It’s difficult, and many times, you get these looks from waiters and cooks when you politely ask to hold the cheese, use a different spoon, or change their plastic preparation gloves. Vegans eating out seem to be annoying for all parties, but I learned some tips and tricks to ease the frustration
If you are going out for Chinese, just stay home. Seriously, all the food is cooked in the same grease. However, you can find some steamed vegetables that are unscathed, but do you want to watch people eat General Tso’s while you nibble on a flavorless carrot?
However, it you are eating Indian, you have better variety. I like to go for the vegetable patties. It’s a potato-based spicy treat devoid of meat or dairy, but it’s very filling. Get them with a side of long-grained rice and curry chickpeas. It’s delicious.
Italian dining is feasible. I suggest some pasta without Parmesan or mozzarella cheese. Watch out though. Some pasta isn’t vegan; if it’s dry pasta, it’s usually permissible. Don’t be afraid to ask. Also, order salads without cheese. Make sure to get the dressing on the side!If it’s Thai, you have the option of getting a miscellany of tofu or pad thai dishes. Order a bamboo green curry, with tofu instead of meat. It tastes excellent and it’s completely vegan. However, you might want to double-check with your waiter. He should be used to this, seeing that many vegans and vegetarians frequent Thai restaurants.
If it’s fast food, go for the fries. They are usually submerged in different grease than the chicken nuggets and fish sandwich meals. Sadly, this seems to be the only thing that you can eat. Some fast food places have reformed after attacks from the media, and now feature apples on the menu. Get those, but avoid the caramel. It’s cooked in milk.
But, if it’s grab and go and baked, avoid it. Auntie Anne’s pretzels (if you kindly ask them to hold the butter) may be vegan, but Cinnabon is not, and it’s about 800 calories. Most baked goods have egg and dairy products, even if it doesn’t seem like it. If you ask a clerk, they’ll shrug their shoulders. So just skip it. Good luck my fellow vegans!
