This Tuesday, let’s eat out! My tips this week bring you How To Enjoy Eating Out As A Vegetarian. This is a must read for both expert + novice vegetarians! A little preparation can go a long way! My tips can help.
Tara’s Tuesday Tips:
How To Enjoy Eating Out As A Vegetarian:
Do your research before leaving home
Call ahead, go to the restaurant’s website, read other people’s reviews. A little prep time goes a long way.
Ask for the vegetarian menu
Many restaurants have a “hidden menu” for dietary restrictions … just ask!
Speak up for yourself
This will be your best defense against getting meat in your food while eating out. Communicate your needs and ask for substitutions.
Watch out for sneaky ingredients
Oyster sauce, chicken or beef broth, lard, gelatin, and bacon are all very common to be added in during food prep but not listed on the menu.
Know the codes
Usually a V or a leaf or something green indicates a vegetarian dish, but still ask about the sneaky ingredients, and all restaurants are different! ASK!
Make appetizers your main meal
Many restaurants offer veggie friendly appetizers + sides but can be limited on vegetarian dishes for the main course. Customize it the way you like, even if that means a meal made of appetizers.
Get used to different flavors
Ethnic cuisine is your very best friend as a vegetarian eating out. Everything from Indian to Mexican to Thai to Italian and more. There will be new and interesting flavors but at least it isn’t the flavor of meat!
Try to avoid eating at a seafood restaurant
You really can’t win here. French fries fried in the bucket with the fried fish, veggies grilled with the shrimp, even things that are steamed are not kept apart from the fish. It all tastes and smells fishy. Avoid if possible, and if you can’t specifically ask for your food to be prepped away from any fish.
Pre-eat if you need to
You are invited to a dinner party … hooray! If the dinner party is being held at the home of someone who has no idea there will be vegetarians coming to the party or hasn’t spent the time thinking about it, you might not have anything to eat! Eat before you leave!
Remember you are not alone
Gluten or nut allergies, lactose intolerance, shellfish allergy, no dye, no oil, no lemon, no peppers, just to name a few! The point is, you are not alone! Prepare, research, ask, substitute, and double check. Restaurants + hosts of parties are so used to accommodating dietary restrictions, you are not alone!
Above all, enjoy eating out while remembering that nothing needs to lose its life for you to eat so … enjoy! That is how my vegetarian family enjoys eating out … what about yours? Leave a comment below. We love comments ❤
A few other tips that might be helpful on your vegetarian journey:
How To Read Food Labels As a Vegetarian
The Story of My Vegetarian Family.com
How To Enjoy Eating Out As A Vegetarian
Cooking Tips for New Vegetarians
How To Find Happiness In The Kitchen
📸 Follow me on Instagram @myvegetarianfamily
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