After I converted to raw veganism last month, I began experiencing profound and substantive health benefits that convinced me that my decision to stop eating cooked foods had been prudent. However, I did run into a variety of roadblocks that entailed me returning to the world of cooked foods periodically. One of the roadblocks included not knowing how to avoid eating cooked foods at eating events not specifically geared towards raw vegans. If you are having this challenge, here are some strategies that can help you:
1. Bring Food.
Whether or not this tip will work is contingent upon the nature of the social event you attend. For example, I periodically bring food with me when the Young Adult Ministry where I serve has worship services. After these worship services, we all eat together and the food generally consists of pizza, chips, and drinks. In recognizing that this will generally be the type of food served at such events, I have occasionally brought fruit like plums to munch on while everyone else eats pizza. While bringing food works as a result of the casual setting described above, it might not be appropriate for a formal dinner. If you are going out to a restaurant with others, consider requesting that you frequent one that has a plethora of vegan options like salads. (And make sure they’re not just side salads designed to prepare the eater for a main course comprised of meat and other cooked products.)
2. Drink Water Or Tea.
Many if not most social events that involve food also involve drinks like water and tea. Since this is the case, you can avoid feeling ostracized about your raw vegan habits by drinking water or tea as the people around you eat their snacks or meals. The added benefit of drinking water or tea instead of breaking your diet pattern by eating cooked food is that oftentimes our sense of hunger is really thirst. Therefore, drinking water or tea will ensure that you remain hydrated during your social event.
3. Stand Your Ground.
Oftentimes, raw vegans find themselves uncomfortable in social settings involving food because people will make continual attempts to get them to eat a cooked meal. Although some of these individuals have good intentions, others are likely behaving obnoxiously and attempting to prove the point that the raw vegan diet isn’t advantageous, ethical, or necessary. Since this type of event is likely to transpire, gird up the loins of your mind with knowledge and resolve regarding why you are following the raw vegan diet. Then when an individual attempts to coerce you into eating cooked foods, you’ll be prepared with an articulate, firm response.
Conclusion
Becoming a raw vegan was one of the best decisions I have ever made. In recognizing that new people will become raw vegans each day, I want to empower them with the knowledge necessary to be successful in their efforts. By reviewing the information above, I think you will gain a deeper understanding of how to maintain your raw vegan diet in social settings that involve cooked food. Good luck! :)
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