Questions you may be asked and comments people make when they learn you’re a vegan; in less than 6 short months of being a vegan, I’ve heard almost all of them. So how should you respond to these common stereotypes? I’ve compiled a list of sarcastic comebacks and polite responses 😇
This should go without saying, but the sarcastic answers are a joke. I would never say these things to anyone (and neither should you.) I actually enjoy answering people’s questions about being a vegan and eating a plant-based diet. It’s a great opportunity to educate people and tell them why I made this decision. It should not be an opportunity to alienate someone and completely turn them off to this way of living.
I always encourage people to ask me as many questions as they want. I’m happy to answer them. And there are no stupid questions. I may have these answers now, but a year ago I would have been asking the same exact things.
So here are some questions I have been asked, some comments that have been made, and some questions that could potentially be asked.
1. What made you decide to go vegan?
Sarcastic 🤨: Nothing made me go vegan. Sometimes we make choices in life…
Polite 😊: Would you like the long answer or the short answer?
2. Do you get enough protein?
Sarcastic 🤨: Would you like me to show you how strong I am?? 💪
Polite 😊: Plants actually contain protein, as do whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans. I eat a balanced diet, so my protein intake is not an issue.
3. You don’t drink milk? Aren’t you worried about calcium?
Sarcastic 🤨: I’m actually more worried about you and your ignorance…
Polite 😊: I eat a lot of dark leafy green vegetables, which are full of calcium. I had bloodwork done recently, and all of my numbers are within normal range. Studies have shown that the loss of calcium plays just as much of a role in bone fractures as the intake of calcium. And people who drink cow’s milk are actually more likely to develop osteoporosis.
4. What do you eat??
Sarcastic 🤨: Food. I eat food.
Polite 😊: I eat everything you eat, just without meat, dairy, or any other animal products.
5. Weren’t animals put on this earth for us to eat?
Sarcastic 🤨: *stares blankly* 🤦♀️
Polite 😊: While that could be true, animals were most definitely not put on this earth to be abused, neglected, and live out their lives in horrific conditions. That burger you’re eating most likely didn’t come from Farmer Joe down the street. 99% of all farm animals in America come from factory farms.
6. Eating meat is just the circle of life.
Sarcastic 🤨: I’m actually more of a hakuna matata sort of person.
Polite 😊: That’s your choice; for me it isn’t.
7. Why don’t vegans eat honey?
Sarcastic 🤨: I can, I just choose not to.
Polite 😊: This is why.
8. Don’t you miss cheese?
Sarcastic 🤨: I miss not being asked this question…
Polite 😊: I did at first, but that’s because cheese is addicting like a mild opiate. Now when I think about how cheese is made and what the cows have to endure, the craving is immediately gone.
9. Tofu is gross.
Sarcastic 🤨: This coming from the person who drinks breast milk from another mammal and thinks it’s acceptable to consume meat from abused animals who are pumped full of medications and chemicals 🤔
Polite 😊: Tofu is actually quite versatile. It’s intimidating to cook with it at first, but it’s been a learning process. I’m still learning. It’s all about which firmness of tofu you buy and how you prepare it. If done appropriately, it’s delicious. My husband now happily eats tofu…usually. If I prepare it correctly 😬
10. What do you eat at a BBQ restaurant??
Sarcastic 🤨: This is actually fair. I’ll give you this one.
Polite 😊: Y’all, I live in Kansas City. The BBQ capital of the world. It’s tough out here! Not gonna lie, this one has been difficult. Sometimes a barbeque restaurant has a veggie burger, but it’s almost always made with eggs. So it’s usually salads and eat when we get home!
11. What do you eat when you go out to eat?
Sarcastic 🤨: I eat anything that does not contain meat or animal products. Have you learned nothing?!
Polite 😊: Asian and Mexican restaurants tend to have the most options that are either made vegan or that can be tweaked to become vegan. Most other restaurants now have at least one menu item we can order. If not, we politely sip our water until we go home and devour an entire container of hummus.
12. I only buy organic free range chicken and organic grass fed beef, it’s fine.
Sarcastic 🤨: Bless your heart. You actually think that’s true. 🤦♀️
Polite 😊: I actually used to believe this as well. The USDA rules and requirements for terms such as “organic,” “free range,” and “grass fed” in the meat industry all sound really good. Except the rules and regulations are not enforced.
For example, the manufacturers only have to demonstrate that the animals have been allowed access to the outside (usually a tiny door leading to a small concrete area outdoors.) Most animals never see the light of day.
And then there’s this: consuming grass fed animals versus grain fed animals is actually less sustainable.
The labels sound good, but sadly, the animals are living in horrible conditions and our own government isn’t protecting or enforcing their own rules.
13. Being a vegan is too expensive.
Sarcastic 🤨: And your $5 cup of coffee is what, a bargain?!
Polite 😊: I have found eating a plant-based diet to actually be less expensive. It is only expensive when you buy processed foods or pre-cooked meals…which also happens to be true for any diet. Fresh, whole foods are less expensive in the long-run. Organic can be expensive, yes. Which is why I buy a lot of organic produce at Costco. I actually get more organic produce, nuts, and seeds for less than I would spend on those non-organic items at a regular grocery store. The money you’re saving on meat can be applied to the budget for organic produce or more produce in general.
Also, think of all the money you could be saving on healthcare and medications since you’re eating a healthier diet! That alone is worth it.
14. Vegans like to throw their beliefs in other peoples’ faces.
Sarcastic 🤨: Then you’re hanging out with the wrong vegans.
Polite 😊: I actually don’t. Before I started this blog, the only people my husband and I told about going vegan were our immediate families. I like to talk about what I’ve learned in this process, but only when the subject comes up. I respect everyone’s opinions, even if they differ from my own.
15. I could never be a vegan.
Sarcastic 🤨: I thought that too, but here we are…
Polite 😊: The more I learned on the topic, the more my feelings changed. Now I can’t imagine not being vegan.
16. But you ate meat for years…
Sarcastic 🤨: And you’re still eating meat, what’s your point??
Polite 😊: My only regret is not going vegan sooner.
17. How do you deal with the stigma?
Sarcastic 🤨: I’m dealing with it right now!
Polite 😊: I actually haven’t personally had any issues. Yet. I give everyone respect, and in return, most people show me that same respect back.
18. Why aren’t you skinny and scrawny if you’re a vegan?
Sarcastic 🤨: Wow! Someone’s feeling bold! 😳
Polite 😊: Because I love to eat! 🙈 It’s actually a stereotype that vegans are malnourished and too thin.
19. Plants feel pain too. (I kid you not, people actually argue this.)
Sarcastic 🤨: SO WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST WE EAT?!?! 🤦♀️
Polite 😊: It actually takes more plants to feed farm animals than a plant-based diet. Producing one pound of grain-fed beef requires 12-16 pounds of grain and soy.
20. Are you still vegan?
Sarcastic 🤨: Is your daughter still your daughter? Of course, you idiot!
Polite 😊: For me, this isn’t a diet fad or just a phase. This is a lifestyle change that is permanent.
What are some questions you have about a plant-based diet?
Or what are some questions you have been asked as a vegan?
I hope people continue asking me endless questions! I love telling people about what I’ve learned and what the studies have shown. By having open communication, I think it creates better insight and awareness.
Just remember, it’s easy for people to mock what they don’t understand. So let’s help them understand 😊