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Navigating Social Events: A Plant-Based Woman's Guide

Plant-Based Lifestyle Tips For Women

Author: Plant-Based Susy

One of the biggest reasons people hold themselves back from living a plant-based lifestyle is the fear of what this could mean for their social lives. You might be worried about how to order food and drinks if you go out with your friends. You may question how you could entertain guests at home with a plant-based spread.

If you've been vegan or plant-based for a while, you've discovered how easy navigating social events can be. Sure, it can be challenging to find an accommodating restaurant, but this can be simple if you have the right people in your circle and a little patience.

If you're curious about how to enjoy a solid social life while rocking a plant-based lifestyle, you've come to the right place.

General tips for navigating social events as a plant-based woman

When first going plant-based, you might be concerned about whether you'll ever be able to attend social events without worries again.

It may be difficult at first, but you'll have the hang of it soon! Navigating social events while enjoying a plant-based lifestyle will be your new norm in no time.

Know your why

Part of what you need to figure out is your why. Why are you switching to a plant-based lifestyle? It could be a love for animals or a concern about the environment. It could be for personal health reasons, a weight loss journey, or a temporary challenge like Veganuary.

Everyone who makes this change has a unique motivation. There is no reason to be embarrassed or feel awkward about yours.

Thinking through your reason behind making the switch is helpful because it will come up. Some people will tease you, and others will just be curious, but they'll have questions either way. Having your responses thought out beforehand will help you get through these conversations as smoothly as possible.

Feel free to give only some of the details behind your choice. What you disclose is entirely up to you if it makes you uncomfortable or you don't think they'll respond well. Feel free to set boundaries or shout it from the rooftops, whatever feels best to you.

Good communication will get you far

Whether you are invited to a friend's cookout or a restaurant, communicating your needs will help everyone involved.

If a friend is hosting an event at their place, you can't expect them to plan the entire meal in a plant-based-friendly way. However, if they care about you, they will want to be accommodating. Let them know about the changes to your dietary needs. This is an excellent time to ask if they're serving anything plant-based or to offer to bring a dish.

If your crew plans to go out to eat or for drinks, help them choose a spot. You don't need to pick a fancy all-natural plant-based restaurant but look at some local menus to figure out which spots offer menu items you can eat.

Your friends and family should be more than happy to select a place where you can eat something, but don't put all the responsibility on them to sort this out.

Navigating family gatherings as a plant-based woman

You may see family at birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or vacations. Whether you're just hanging out with family or attending holiday events for Christmas or Thanksgiving, navigating family gatherings has its own unique set of complications.

You may have to skip out on your grandmother's special dessert or other traditions. A rude uncle might get on your case about tasty foods you can't have any more or how this lifestyle is unsustainable.

Navigating family gatherings doesn't need to be like that. It can be a breeze if you know how to answer any obnoxious questions and plan ahead.

Things may feel awkward at first, but it will get easier

When you first make this switch, it can be challenging for people to wrap their heads around it, but after a while, they'll get used to it.

Getting together with your family may be more challenging if you're going plant-based because of your compassion for animals and your values.

You may align differently, and they may not be able to see where you're coming from. Remember that they’re your family and the love will still be there regardless.

Be willing to educate your family

You don't need to change your family's thoughts and beliefs today. Chances are you won't be able to even if you try. Going plant-based is something people have to decide for themselves.

That being said, be prepared to educate your loved ones about the benefits of a plant-based diet. You could even recommend books or documentaries if you want to avoid doing the heavy lifting.

Many of their questions will come from a place of concern rather than judgment. There is a lot of misinformation about plant-based eaters not meeting their nutritional needs.

On a plant-based diet, there is a potential to miss out on some essential nutrients, including (but not exclusively from) the following list:

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B2
Omega 3
Protein
Calcium
Iodine
Iron

However, there is also a potential to miss out on some critical nutrients on non-plant-based diets, too, with approximately one-in-twenty American omnivores being deficient in B12, for example.

In fact, studies have concluded that many overweight and even obese people worldwide, are in fact suffering from malnutrition, and it turns out it's because of all the plants they're not eating.

Consuming a range of plant-based foods should ensure that you get all the nutrients you need. If you're concerned, you might consider trying a supplement or meeting with a nutritionist, but it's really not as challenging as it's made out to be. Be able to communicate that with your family.

If they're looking for a debate, be the bigger person. You don't need to give them a speech about your decision. Answer their questions, but change the subject if it goes beyond that.

Hanging out with friends as a plant-based woman

Hanging out with your friends as a plant-based eater should be much easier than doing so with family. They will likely be less inclined to argue with you and more eager to understand your point of view. That's what friends are for!

Going out with friends is primarily about quality time

Remember that going out with friends is less about eating tasty food and more about catching up with those you love. Learn to be satisfied even if the only item you can have on the menu is a side of fries or a salad.

You can cook something great at home later, or before, and remember you may not always be able to enjoy a night out with your people. Focus on soaking up the love rather than dwelling on a lack of options.

Be flexible

When we say be flexible, we don't mean falling for peer pressure or eating something you don't want to. Sometimes, it's best to eat before you go out instead of worrying about whether or not you'll be able to eat when you get there.

The chances of there being something plant-based to eat at a party or a restaurant are good, but this takes a lot of stress away from social situations. Throwing some plant-based snacks in your bag can be a good idea, too.

Make new friends

Even if you have really great friends, it's easy to feel alone when you're the only one with certain dietary restrictions. You may feel awkward or out of place ordering in front of them, or you may feel like a burden when they plan special meals around you. You shouldn't feel bad about your choice to benefit your health, but it's easy to do.

Consider adding new people to your circle who also follow a plant-based lifestyle.

Every year, more and more people question the foods they eat. Many of them find their way to a plant-based lifestyle. Thankfully, meeting others who are already living or want to live a plant-based lifestyle is not difficult.

There are even apps for that, too, like HappyCow, Grazer and Veggly. Other ways to meet plant-based eaters include joining Facebook groups or attending a vegan event near you.

How to order food while sticking to your plant-based diet

Figuring out how to order in restaurants can be daunting for plant-based eaters, especially those new to the lifestyle. However, after some experience, you won't have a second thought about placing your order in a restaurant. We want to help you overcome that hurdle!

Research restaurants in your area

This process is pretty simple because there's so much information available at our fingertips. Apps like HappyCow can do most of the work for you. This app will show you any plant-based or vegan restaurants in your area, with reviews, and it's social too!

If you already have some places in mind, most restaurants have their menus available online if you need to look at their options beforehand.

Keeping a list of plant-based-friendly restaurants, bars, coffee shops, or anywhere else you may go to socialise is helpful. You can keep this in your notes app or write it somewhere you can find it easily. Having a list will help you plan social outings in the future or provide you with great options in a pinch.

Be bold and ask your waiter questions

You may go to a restaurant that doesn't label their entrees as vegan on the menu. When this happens, it's perfectly acceptable to ask as many questions as you need to.

This may make you feel as if you're being annoying, but your dietary needs and restrictions are essential. As long as you're kind and understanding in your approach, most places will be eager to help you find something to eat.

Helpful questions to get you started:

Does this contain milk?
Does this contain cream?
Is this prepared with butter?
Can you skip the toppings?
Do you use meat-based broth in this dish?
Can you prepare this without meat?
Can you prepare this without fish?

If you get the impression you're not being taken seriously, or if you're met with a blank, glazed look; don't be shy.

Simply explain to your waiter or waitress that you're allergic to milk/butter/fish or whatever, and they'll be instantly reminded that it's their very job, to have your dietary requirements taken very, very seriously.

The word "allergy" is well understood by pretty much everyone in the food trade.

Figure out your plant-based staples

This is a helpful tip when starting your plant-based journey. It comes in handy at home and when you go out to eat. Determine which menu items are typically plant-based and easy to find and order. For example, you can often find salads, pasta with marinara, and veggie burgers.

Plant-based staples vary between types of restaurants as well. When you go to an Indian restaurant, you can probably find a delicious plant-based curry or chana masala. When ordering Thai food, you could try a vegetable stir-fry with tofu. At a Mexican restaurant, you might try vegetable fajitas.

Try a few things and figure out what you love. It won't hurt you to stick to the same menu items if they're packed full of enough flavour and you find you enjoy them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the easiest way to find plant-based places to eat near me?

Straight off the bat and to make life as easy as pie, check out the HappyCow app: It's totally and "udderly" awesome!

How do I handle social anxiety when eating differently?

Confidence is key! People may judge, but standing by your choices makes you stronger—don’t cave to peer pressure.

Will I lose friends if I go plant-based?

Not if they truly care about you! Real friends will respect your choices—fake ones will reveal themselves fast.

How can you research restaurants to determine if they're friendly to plant-based eaters?

Most restaurants have their menus available online. Go to the website for the restaurant you're considering trying out and pull up its menu. If you need help finding a menu online, many restaurants have this information available through food delivery services like Uber Eats. Look over the menu and see if a couple of plant-based items are listed or foods that can be made vegan-friendly with a few substitutions.

If you need help finding the information online, call them and ask about their options. Many people still need to learn what plant-based or vegan means, so asking questions about ingredients is more helpful. You could ask if a particular item contains dairy or meat or ask about their allergy-friendly options. You can use this information to determine which items are plant-based.

How do you ask for substitutions when ordering out?

The most important thing to remember when making changes at a restaurant is that it's okay to speak up for yourself. There's nothing wrong with asking for what you want. Most servers and restaurants will be happy to make the necessary changes so that you can enjoy a bite to eat. You can request that certain ingredients, like cheese, be left off. You can also ask them to add vegetables to pack a healthier punch.

Some restaurants aren't able to make specific substitutions because they may have pre-made an item or ordered a product that isn't plant-based. It's always okay to ask, but be understanding if that is the case, as it's not the servers' fault.

The Bottom Line

If you switch to a plant-based lifestyle, navigating social events doesn't have to be complicated. There will be a learning curve, and it may take some time for you and those in your life to get used to it, but after a little while, it'll be super easy.

Your body will thank you for powering through the changes and sticking to your plant-based journey.

💚 "Happy Plant-Based Eating & Exercising!" 💚

Plant-Based Susy

Plant-Based Nutrition Professional & Weight Loss Coach

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