What considerations to make for hosting a vegan?
Posted by No_Leave_353@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 170 comments
We have friends staying this weekend and one of them is vegan.
If you are vegan or have hosted for vegan friends, what was some considerations you were grateful for?
I’ll get a milk alternative and a butter/spread alternative. Any particular snacks or just things that might get overlooked by herbivores such as I?
Disastrous_Yak_1990@reddit
If I had a vegan round I’d make everything completely vegan.
I like a challenge, and I can make something nice without meat, so it’s fine. I can live one day without it.
Bear in mind not all beer is, then there’s things like honey they might not want to have, some random not-vegan things you’d think was…
Fabulous-Wolf-4401@reddit
This is absolutely the best way to do it. Just make everything vegan, it's not difficult if you remember about dairy. I don't eat a lot of meat, most of the stuff I make can be seen as vegetarian, but I use a lot of yogurt (in curries especially) and I forget it's not vegan, because I see it as a sort of neutral ingredient.
Over-Language2599@reddit
If you have friends and families with various intolerances and dietary preferences or religious whatever, then vegan covers most bases really, as long as nobody is gluten intolerant. So I've found it's easiest just to cook vegan.
Inevitable_Box3643@reddit
Vegan doesn’t really cover soy or nut allergies well. I would be hesitant to label vegan as “covers most bases” if it doesn’t cover even the most common ones.
Over-Language2599@reddit
I'm talking about home cooking not manufactured products.
Inevitable_Box3643@reddit
My point stands. Quite a lot of vegan cooking calls for nut or soy based ingredients. And if you’re going to say “just pick vegan recipes without those ingredients”, the same can be said for literally any other diet type.
As a generalisation vegan isn’t really any more allergen-friendly than any other dietary restriction.
paulmclaughlin@reddit
About 4% of the population of vegan.
About 10% of the population have some gluten intolerance
Over-Language2599@reddit
People are also lactose intolerant, eat Kosher, Halal, are vegetarian, pescatarian etc and vegan covers all those. I don't know anyone gluten intolerant, though I imagine you have to check ingredients on all sorts of unexpected things like stock cubes.
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
You forgot to mention allergies.
Vegan food contains a lot of allergens
bananamangotime@reddit
100% agree, and I’d apply that to any dietary restriction. I would make a fully vegan/gluten free/whayever free meal so that my guests felt included
Dry_Illustrator_6562@reddit
Check wine and beer etc are vegan - lots aren't. Loads of snacks etc are vegan just inherently - crisps and hummus!
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
Wine especially fish finings used for clarity!
PootMcGroot@reddit
Or bone char. Or egg shells.
There are virtually no "normal" wines that are vegan - if they are vegan, they'll scream it loudly.
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
What could an egg shell possibly add to wine?
PootMcGroot@reddit
They're all used as filters to clear out sediment - wine is not "naturally" clear - it's clarified through a substrate (it's not just physical, it's chemical).
Pretty much every normal one is an animal byproduct. SImilar to sugar - most is made using bone char (ie carbonised cow bones).
Comprehensive-Low732@reddit
In the UK there are no major sugar producers who use bone char in refinement. It’s more of a US thing I think.
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
Sugar?
Dry_Illustrator_6562@reddit
Oh there are tons of vegan wines. The barnivore website is helpful. I drink NZ sauvignon blanc by preference and I'd say about half of the wines I look at are vegan.
PootMcGroot@reddit
Yes, there are lots - but I meant "normal" in the sense of a random one on a supermarket shelf or restaurant menu.
There are lots of vegan butters...but you're not going to accidentally stumble across one, you'll have sought it out.
theotherquantumjim@reddit
Vegan butters are ten a penny in literally every supermarket
Dry_Illustrator_6562@reddit
Sorry, but there are loads of vegan wines in the supermarkets! Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury's always have lots of options, many of them labelled vegan (albeit with a small symbol that you need to look for).
chocklityclair@reddit
Crisps often have milk powder in them.
safefart@reddit
The corks in wine can also cause issues
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
How?
safefart@reddit
Agglomerated Corks
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
Jeez really FFS!
How do you check?
safefart@reddit
Are you a coeliac?
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
No but it have vegan and coeliac and dairy free friends so always looking to up my game for gifts and knowledge sharing
safefart@reddit
You forget you know this information for the vegans and I really wouldn't know how to check for the coeliacs but I've seen someone get glutenated from wine and my conclusion is it was from the cork, hence why I know this
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
Ah ok 👍
Further research required
Dry_Illustrator_6562@reddit
Yeah that's true, I was thinking about just lightly salted crisps as that's what I'd have with hummus!
CarminaBananas@reddit
TBH, the consideration I always appreciate is not having a discussion about meat. Food wise, I am able to do my own thing at someone's house but can never escape the meat conversation.
hunnbee@reddit
I know. Non vegans are absolutely obsessed with the topic
pieman531@reddit
Vegans are worse. The only reason I've started commenting on such things is because I'm sick of over dramatic meat is murder cunts
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
Oh my fucking god yes like nobody likes a vegan because we are proof you don't have to eat meat but you bring up meat all the time.
If you don't want to feel bad don't bring up the cruel and unnecessary thing you're doing to the person who's living just fine not doing it
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Yet again ignoring people with health conditions etc.
Why do vegans always act superior when your leather is plastic
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
Because leather is the part of animal agriculture and the second leading cause of climate change behind a jet plane
Our plastic, which is not exclusive to vegans, is still somehow far far far less environmentally damaging, even with it's short shelf life. A lot of vegans also use other leathers like cactus or mushrooms I think?
Also you can just not buy faux leather. I can't control what Primark sells and who buys it. I only buy cotton. What are you wearing? Polyester?
What health conditions do you have and have you spoken to a vegan dietician? We actively support anyone get medical care , we don't support lazy doctors who tell you to eat steak for an iron deficiency.
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
A lot of vegans is not an actual number.
And somebody else does it a it's okay to do isn't a defense.
Why should I have to speak to a vegan dietitian who has an agenda to make me go vegan
Also can you prove that you are actually qualified to give advice?
Oh yes attack me that's really going to make people think about going vegan rather than just hating you
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
Oh my bad I should be apologetic and nice to the person who's agenda is abusing and killing more animals
You right, I'm going to open an ethical kill and leather workshop for abandoned dogs, we will ethically slit their throats and skin them alive and that way you don't have to worry about Primarks faux leather bags anymore! Obviously, as an animal abuser yourself, you're happy with this solution and in no way find animal abuse to be disgusting or immoral, so any attacks on this idea is an attack on me specifically.
You should speak to a vegan dietician because they are trained medically and their agenda is not killing you or another living being. Why is that a bad thing to you?
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Yet again attacking people because you don't get your way.
Why would I speak to a vegan dietitian when I have already been given advice.
Why do you think that you know more than my doctors
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
Why are you making up things? I never said I know more than your doctors.. I said you should speak to a vegan dietician.
My way is just being against animal abuse. Your way is being an animal abuser.
Why do you want to be one?
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Yes you did when you said speak to a vegan dietitian.
My doctors have already given me advice I don't need to
Also thanks for breaking the rules of this sub and Reddit.
Just makes it easier to get you banned
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
I forgot, Reddit loves abuse of animals.
Sorry let me go kick a cow to make the Reddit overlords respect me.
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Why would I answer your loaded hateful question.
Why do you want to abuse humans and cause them harm.
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
Because it's your entire point. So tell me why you want to
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
What's my entire point.
Tell me why you want to cause ill health on people.
You still haven't given your advice as a vegan dietitian because you know that you are not actually qualified.
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
Okay so you have trouble with comprehension. I guess it's all the cholesterol in your brain
I am not a dietician, I am a Reddit user.
You should go and see a medically trained vegan dietician to learn about how you can stop being an animal abuser and be healthy.
Your point is that you don't want to because you like abusing animals because you don't like me.
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/s/Cf9NrQHCww
Have you ever spoken to a vegan dietitian we support anyone.
That's where you claimed to be a vegan dietitian and keep on abusing me as it just makes the harassment claims more valid
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
No I claimed to be a vegan. The we is vegans.
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Except I never asked the questions for the hate you have directed towards me.
Imagine that imagine saying the equivalent to she never said no so it can't be rape
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Yet again ignoring people with health conditions etc.
Why do vegans always act superior when your leather is plastic
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Just wondering if you are as abusive as the other person on this thread
People like that don't do vegans any wonders
GlitchingGecko@reddit
I'm not friends with any vegetarians/vegans so I'm unaware of the typical etiquette.
Like I wouldn't serve meat whilst you were staying, but is it expected that I'd also clear the fridge of any meat/fish whilst you were there? would that include products like eggs and milk?
Dimac99@reddit
There's no reason why you can't eat meat or animal products while a vegetarian or vegan is staying with you and you certainly shouldn't waste food in order to keep someone else happy. Only an extremist minority would expect that and they're not representative of vegans as a whole. It may make meals easier though if you're only making one dish for both people and you might even pick up some nice recipes for plant-based or meat-free days.
GlitchingGecko@reddit
That's good to know.
CarminaBananas@reddit
In my case, no. You do you - it's your house and you can have what you want in your fridge.
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
Thanks. I hadn’t thought of this but I’ll make sure not to discuss meat. Must get very repetitive
Curious_Orange8592@reddit
Q: Do you ever miss meat?
A: The only time I think about meat is when people ask me if I miss meat
slade364@reddit
If you're a herbivore, why would you?
decentlyfair@reddit
Oh this is so tiresome isn’t it?
Kind-Tie5236@reddit
"...a herbivore such as I" makes me think that OP is vegetarian.
Shoddy-One-2064@reddit
This is the one that's almost always unavoidable. For some reason, it bothers people so much and they just cope with shit jokes and quips, ugh...
pieman531@reddit
Expect them to bring their own shite
Party-Werewolf-4888@reddit
Hey! As a vegan I would be entirely grateful for the butter and mulk alternatives you mentioned, that way in the very least I can have toast and a cuppa!
Also always great to have a snack like salted pretzels & houmous to just grab quickly or have out for drinks. And everyone can eat them :)
But my biggest tip would be: dont go overboard. Sometimes, as the only vegan, I can feel an immense pressure to eat the abundance of special vegan food a host has bought me! And ive usually packed my own too.
chocklityclair@reddit
Although it can work the other way, too - my friend had to put the vegan food away because the vegans hadn't yet arrived and everyone else was eating it. I often find that after dismissing veganism, many people suddenly decide it's perfectly edible and prove that by stuffing it all in their face.
Extra_Actuary8244@reddit
This is such a major issue that veggies and vegans deal with
My old work would order food from like subway or dominoes for colleagues and order veggie pizza slices or veggie sandwiches and all the meat eaters would get one of everything or just eat the veggie stuff and leave zero veggie options for the actual veggies it was so frustrating
Interesting_Branch43@reddit
That will be because as "meat eaters", we arent exclusively meat eaters, we are simply eaters..
We can enjoy all food and shouldnt have to not eat veggie options if they are offered.
Your old work didnt order enough veggie food.
Extra_Actuary8244@reddit
Yeah obviously the point is that meat eaters should have the common sense that they can eat anything but people with allergies or dietary preferences can only eat the veggie options hence why they’ve been brought in and only eat the meat options OR wait till the end to eat the veggie options so the veggies get a chance to eat too
Interesting_Branch43@reddit
Veggie and veganism is a choice. Celiacs etc is different. Now it sounds like yui are labelling "meat eaters" as "glutinous pigs".
people are being pigs and overeating, thats bad of course.
Unless you had a song please please dont eat if you are not a vegetarian there isnt much that cam be done really
Extra_Actuary8244@reddit
It’s not always a choice
When it is a choice, meat will still make vegans and vegetarians extremely extremely extremely ill if they eat it so it’s never a choice in that moment
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a choice or not you’re still a gluttonous inconsiderate pig if you eat both the meat options and the veggie options or even just the veggie options that aren’t left overs. People have the right to make moral decisions for themselves and not be forced to starve themselves because of inconsiderate colleagues.
Meat eaters can eat whatever they want, we can’t so meat eaters should eat the meat and leave the veggie options to us then eat the veggie options that aren’t left over so that EVERYONE gets to eat.
Interesting_Branch43@reddit
Ludicrous
Difficult_System1264@reddit
Agreed. It's not the same as an allergy or intolerance. I eat meat but not with every meal. It's perfectly normal for me to have a veggie pizza or have sandwiches with no meat in, for example. We are even told that having meat free days is beneficial to health. In a buffet situation, I would take what looks nicest. I would avoid anything clearly marked for a special diet but I wouldn't put vegetarian food in that category. If I am catering for a group of people I would make sure there is enough of the veggie stuff for everyone and have a smaller amount of meat options for those who want it - I used to work in event management and this approach always provided enough food for everyone. Not having enough vegetarian food is a catering issue.
Quite rude to suggest that any meat eater who dares to eat a vegetable is a "greedy gluttonous pig". People taking more than their fair share is a different issue.
Extra_Actuary8244@reddit
It’s normal for you to want it, it’s not normal for you to force vegetarians to starve because you’re so greedy to ate their only option when you could have eaten anything offered. If you only want the vegetarian options then suck it up and eat the meat option anyway then ask if there’s vegetarian options left over at the end so you can have some.
I only like chocolate cake and not Victoria sponge but if the chocolate cake was the only GF option I wouldn’t eat it because that means the GF people have to starve themselves.
Difficult_System1264@reddit
Are you always this dramatic? I have never forced a vegetarian to starve. And I have, when it's a set meal, sometimes ordered the veggie option in advance because it looked nicer than the meat. Again, no vegetarian was starved in the process. If you actually read my comment you would understand that I will ensure there is plenty vegetarian food so that everyone can have some without anyone having to miss out. I will eat a variety of foods when there is plenty of everything available. If I was in a situation where there was very little veggie food I wouldn't take it but, at a buffet where there is a large range then I'm not harming anyone if not everything on my plate is meat.
Extra_Actuary8244@reddit
If you eat the vegetarian options when there’s veggie and meat options I can absolutely guarantee that you have unless you’ve waited for left overs, I’m dramatic because it really is that serious
ORDERING the veggie option is a completely and utterly incomparable thing. If you’ve ordered it then it’s made to order and it won’t run out.
If YOU make sure there’s enough veggie options then this is not about you so don’t make it about you, the point is that 99.9% of the time there isn’t so unless you have specifically organised the catering yourself, do not go for the veggie option straight off the bat because you don’t know how the ordering process has been worked out or if there’s enough to go around
Difficult_System1264@reddit
No one has ever starved because there wasn't enough food at one meal. A coeliac wouldn't starve because you ate a piece of GF chocolate cake. To say otherwise is ridiculous.
My point was that there should always be enough veggie options for everyone because no one eats only meat. Humans are omnivores. If there isn't enough veggie food it is a catering issue. It doesn't mean all meat eaters are gluttonous and selfish and it's really rude of you to imply that.
chocklityclair@reddit
Why are you differentiating between a choice and a medical condition? Are you suggesting that people who choose not to eat meat deserve to go without food?
This is such a common attitude and it makes no sense.
Interesting_Branch43@reddit
Special dietary requirements. For me that sounds more medical than someone who chooses not to eat meat for ethical reasons. I am fighting a losimg battle here. Enjoy your day.
littlepurplepanda@reddit
When I got married, we ordered special cakes that were vegan and gluten free (for about 12 guests) and they were marked as such. But everyone else kept eating them… it was very annoying.
Extra_Actuary8244@reddit
Same happened at my sisters wedding so I had to starve myself for 30 hours essentially minus the tomato soup starter for the actual meal l as I genuinely couldn’t eat any food and they also changed the menu for the wedding and the vegan main course option was changed to something I’m allergic to
Someone genuinely replied to me saying meat eaters should eat whatever they want and it’s not their problem if vegans or veggies can’t get any food and I know he would have been the type to eat all your vg GF cakes
Party-Werewolf-4888@reddit
This is very true. If OP is buying snacks, it could just be worth buying everything vegan that way it doesnt matter.
atworkorpooping@reddit
On a slight tangent from the main point - my work sometimes hosts optional training sessions during lunch time. Because it's lunch time, they provide food (normally Tesco meal deals, but hey, free lunch) and they will ask for dietary requirements. If there's 20 staff, 4 of whom are vegetarian/vegan, they will buy 4 veg/vegan sandwiches and 16 meat sandwiches. It frustrates me so much, why not just do 50/50 and let everyone have the choice?
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Why though.
Why do six people not get a choice?
chocklityclair@reddit
Lucky you. My manager deliberately ignored vegans. Nothing was vegan - not even accidentally. And her husband was a chef.
Extra_Actuary8244@reddit
I’ve been in situations where they will buy 50/50 and all the meat eaters will get second servings and get one of each and force all the vegans to starve. Every single time. That’s why they do it to order.
iamthefirebird@reddit
This is why I usually claim I'm vegetarian for such purposes, even though I'm not. There are always meat sandwiches left over, and even if there aren't, I usually prefer the veggie ones anyway.
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
I’m going to make avocado toast with chestnut mushrooms and pomegranate on walnut bread for breakfast.
Good shout, I’ll grab some pretzels and humous for snacks. There’s also a couple of vegan cafes in town so can get a snack there.
I’m reassured they’re catered for.
ya_basic82@reddit
That sounds amazing! Can I be your friend too?
ScaryButt@reddit
Ask what plant milk they prefer as there's many different types and they vary a lot!
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
I shall find out!
lalagromedontknow@reddit
100% agree not too over think it, I was vegan for a while (suspected egg, dairy intolerance and I don't eat much meat anyway so it was pretty easy to switch to vegan) and I'd bring my own food as my friends are feeders.
I generally don't eat very much so not gonna make them waste their time or money making a totally separate vegan pasta bake when I can just make one and bring a portion. Snacks are good and maybe vegan spread depending on if you're willing to use the rest/give it to them because they arent small.
ceramicos@reddit
Don’t go crazy but only slightly go out your way
spicyzsurviving@reddit
Totally agree with this!
You don’t need to go crazy, but just having those two staple alternatives shows good hosting!
And I don’t think you will because you’re writing a post like this OP, but don’t make their veganism a source of debate or even focus of conversation.
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
That's very kind of you.
It might be worth asking about allergies - if have a friend who is vegan by necessity.
ceramicos@reddit
Your friend is allergic to all meat?
Dimac99@reddit
Alpha-gal syndrome causes an allergic reaction to all mammalian meat. Also carageenan which is used throughout the food industry as a thickener and stabiliser, as well as in the clarification of alcohol. It's also found in many medicines and it is not a requirement to label it on any ingredient list or patient information leaflet.
Do your absolute damnedest to avoid tick bites, people, as this is one of the diseases they spread and it is now in the UK.
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
Not sure how that's even survivable - a lethal allergy to mammal meats that can be triggered just by exposure to cooking fumes should surely leave you allergic to yourself...and as you say, it's spreading...
Dimac99@reddit
Don't have any surgery involving cauterisation!
Neither_Process_7847@reddit
Or just get a nosebleed...add in the delayed effect and the potential horrors are endless!
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
I spotted a post from a friend about their daughter having been bitten on holiday - bullseye so clear - I told them - they went straight to A&E and said much longer and it would have been too late to treat!
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
No egg whites and soya and chilli and seafood and gluten and several other things.
safefart@reddit
Why would you have a friend like this? It must get oh so tiresome
Fantastic-Pear6241@reddit
You: why would you have a friend with health conditions?
safefart@reddit
What health condition would cause this?? Im willing to wait whilst nobody can answer
Fantastic-Pear6241@reddit
I have Crohn's disease.
I can't eat any red meat. No beef or lamb. I can't have sweetcorn, lentils, lactose (all milk and cream), popcorn. The thing about Crohn's is that the trigger foods can be different for different people because it's based on your own immune system.
Consider this, it's a lot more frustrating for the person with the food restrictions because they have to deal with them every meal, every time they eat.
What you just said is akin to saying "it's so frustrating that they always need a ramp or lift" for a person in a wheelchair. The restriction on their life is infinitely more frustrating to them than the mild amount it inconveniences you.
safefart@reddit
So being a coeliac with ulcerative colitis that's just had a reversal from my bag makes me not be able to type questions because my mouth is full of ulcers and my teeth are falling out? Chrohns seems ok in comparison
Fantastic-Pear6241@reddit
Actually ulcerative colitis has a cure, remove your colon. Crohn's has no cure and also affects the small bowel. Once they start cutting bits out of it they generally have to continue until you've short bowel syndrome.
I'm amazed someone who's coeliac would actually have an issue with other people having dietary restrictions. If you have your own dietary restrictions why do you find others who have different restrictions such a bother?
safefart@reddit
Going to the ace cafe after st marks was fun, so, what was the problem again?
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
Absolutely ❤️
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
Its 11pm on a hot sunny friday night and you can't wait 5 minutes ?
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
Not her fault and it must be exhausting leaving the house worrying if something you come into contact with might kill you.
You really are not a nice person are you?
safefart@reddit
No, I'm not and im very uneducated
safefart@reddit
Im willing to be educated though, what condition causes you such an affliction?
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
Anaphylaxis!
Can be to anything - touch and/or airborne and/or eating
That's why the most commen allergens are listed in bold on the ingredients of all prepared foods in the UK !
Nobody really knows why
milkandket@reddit
Allergies is a good one to ask anyway! I’m vegan but allergic to soy milk/tofu which would probably be a lot of people’s go-to switch when they’re not used to catering for it. I’ve had to awkwardly apologise and refuse food and drinks a few times and I felt so guilty cause they’d gone out of their way to accommodate me
boredmoonface@reddit
If you are serving alcohol buy alcohol that’s labeled vegan on the back. Should be plenty of options in the big supermarkets and Aldi and Lidl. If you already use a margarine spread, check it might already be vegan (such as flora). If they drink hot drinks then soya or oat milk will be good.
Snoo_said_no@reddit
Seconding the other comments not to go overboard or make it a big deal. Many things are 'accidentally' vegan.
If your doing saugsage & bacon sandwiches for yourself, grab a pack of vegan sausages. It's appreciated by most vegans if you are cautious of cross contamination. Use a different knife than you cook the meat ones with. Seperate frying pan or shove the vegan ones on the oven/air fryer as you fry the meat ones. Personally I'm fine with them going in the same oven as meat but I'd prefer you made a little tin foil section with a little edge to stop meat ones juicesgoing near then. Some vegans would prefer a seperate pan or not cooked in the oven at the same time. Most of a fryups vegan, beans, hash browns, tomatoes, toast, mushrooms. Shove a veggy sausage on and some avocado if your feeling posh. And I'd be very grateful.
If it's something like a roast, having the sides vegan (just use flora instead of milk based butter or Marge. Flora's are all vegan. As is I can't believe it's not butter. Check olive spreads... They like to shove small amounts of milk in them.
Jammie dodgers, party rings, biscoff lotus biscuits, most bourbons, Oreos including the gingerbread ones are all vegan. As are skittles, fruit pastels. Jelly tots, Percy pigs, and fuitellaa are vegan. Lidl is good for vegan sweets and are often well labeled. And easy freezer desert - aunt bessies apple pies& crumbles are vegan.
You don't need to rush to Holland and barrat and buy expensive health foods. And it can make you feel a bit excluded if your meal or snacks is totally different and a totally different vibe. If everyone's having pizza I'd rather have a pizza too than lentils and beans! (Although I do like lentils and beans).
If eating out check there's at least something that isn't a plain salad with no dressing or just chips. It's horrible trying to nibble away on a side while everyone else is eating big meals. But the vast majority of places will have a few options now.
Personally I have black coffee, and I drink or use very little milk alternatives. My partner's more of an oat milk guy. So it might be worth asking. Most vegans who have milk in their coffee like oat, and oatley barista is popular. I'd say check before picking up because I like soya in tea, and never almond ... Of course there's some that do prefer almond. But I'd say for coffee & tea it's oat, then soya, with almond being quite a minority choice. People always kindly get milk alternatives in ... Then often send me home with an unopened carton and I feel a bit guilty they've gone to that expense/effort... They get used up but mostly in my kids cereal or porridge.
Some Quorn is veggy not vegan and has egg in.so Quorn is worth a double check.
Sneaky things to be aware of is gelatine, honey, carminic acid (red food colouring) also called "natural red four", "crimson lake" & " E120" isn't vegan (it's a red Beatle), Shellac (lac bugs), d3 added to cereals may or may not be vegan . It's either made from lanolin/sheep or fish oil, which is obviously not vegan but it can be alge which is. Nooes expecting you to know and we're getting a bit niche but if you see 'd3' either ask them to check or look for a 'suitable for vegans' below the ingredient list. Often things will say suitable for vegetarians but are actually vegan. But if you read the ingredients I know the above might not stand out to many omnivores. Some vegans don't worry about shalllac for example... It's on loads of fruits to give them shine. I do buy fruit that doesn't have it on as far as I can. . but if I'm somewhere where I can't be sure I don't stress about it and eat the apple.
Sorry that's information overload... Don't be afraid to ask .. but try not to turn it into a huge deal making every conversation about veganism, nor be offended if they go "aww thanks for getting that in but .."
(Also, and this might be an entirely personal pet peeve, I get people being wierdly insistant that I have to like something because it's vegan... And trying to politely go . Yeah it is. But I just really don't like gherkins...I'm allowed to not like stuff).
SpaTowner@reddit
I don’t think any of the Beatles were noticeably ginger.
poppingcandylights@reddit
Jammy Dodgers, Oreos and Party Rings are all vegan and make great snacks!
Over-Language2599@reddit
Yes it's a long time since you had to check biscuits for beef fat (Rich Tea, I'm looking at you), but milk products do still find their way in.
Sainsbury's used to be the worst offenders and I do remember a Sainsbury's carrot cake that contained animal fat (yes this was a long time ago).
YarnPenguin@reddit
I'm the only vegan in my friend group and it's always nice when one of the crisp varieties is vegan, maybe a dip... if there's oreos or party rings, maybe some popcorn. Depends if you anticipate a snacky situation (like a bbq or watching a film).
You don't need to empty your fridge or anything, people know it's your house and you might have eggs around. Some oatmilk would go down well x
recchai@reddit
From when my sister was vegan, you would be astonished at the number of things milk powder is in. Things you wouldn't associate with milk in a million years.
genxerrr@reddit
Is she ok now?
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
I wouldn’t have known this, so I’ll read the ingredients tomorrow.
ClarifyingMe@reddit
I ask my friends what they like and get that.
Ok-Rain6295@reddit
Make sure to double check the butter alternative is completely dairy free- some have a small percentage of buttermilk in them for some silly reason. The flora block is very nice.
Dark chocolate, too. I’ve been caught out by that. For some reason the 70% was dairy free but the 80% has milk in it…
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
Ah, brilliant thanks. I wouldn’t have checked this.
OkRefrigerator107@reddit
Every flora butter is vegan now too :)
theotherquantumjim@reddit
Lurpak’s Vegan Spread is really good
Mission_Yesterday_96@reddit
Other than all the fruit and veg, which I assume you already know what to do with:
Maple syrup or date syrup instead of honey; dark chocolate tends to be vegan otherwise Ombar and Hu are quite nice vegan brands; Oreos and Lotus biscoff biscuits are surprisingly vegan; yeast flakes instead of Parmesan (I put it on everything really); Coconut Collab and M&S do lovely yoghurt (alpro is a bit grainy and has a weird taste to me); Swedish Glace or Little Moon mochi ice creams; vegan kimchi if you like fermented food; tahini is good on a lot of stuff; most ready-made pastry from supermarkets like Jus-Rol are vegan; Greggs vegan sausage rolls; vegan croissants are a treat if you can find them :)
Obviously I could go on…Thanks for being such a considerate host!
web3monk@reddit
St Pierre croissants are vegan and available almost everywhere
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
Thanks for this, I’ll screenshot and then refer to this when shopping for snacks.
PootMcGroot@reddit
Just ask. They'll likely have a preferred non-animal milk if they take it with coffee/tea/cereal.
They'll have a spiel - they'll have had to tell people a thousand times.
Just don't serve nutloaf, the bane of vegan Christmas.
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
Lol @ nutloaf. Always see it in the supermarkets at Christmas time and it always looks shit
PootMcGroot@reddit
Pretty much any vegan would just prefer to eat the vegetable sides. Nutloaf, outside of some Michelin starred restaurant, it dry cardboard torture.
Alternative_Head_416@reddit
I love nut roast.
Commercial-Bat-4534@reddit
I like when they ask what foods I like if they're planning a specific meal together, like I was invited to a barbeque and instead of buying a vegan pack of sausages, while I would be completely happy to bring my own, they wanted to know what brand I liked to buy for me.
But I would not expect someone to buy provisions for me, I would appreciate if they let me know they're happy for me to bring my own or let them know their favourites to get in their next shop. If I know you're happy to accommodate some room in the fridge for me then I'm golden.
Bec21-21@reddit
Depends on what your plans for the weekend are.
Will you mostly be eating at home, or will you be out and getting food wherever you are?
If home, just have a plan around what you’ll be cooking and try to make as much as possible good for everyone. Where you need to serve meat or dairy (and you could just not for a weekend) try to make it an easy vegan sub. So, for example, you could serve fajitas and the tortillas would great for everyone as would the guac and then do a big bowl of veggies and separately whatever meat you want along with a vegan sub (you can by fake chicken strips, beef strips or whatever). That way everyone gets basically the same thing except for choosing the meat or meat substitute option.
If you’re cooking think about hidden non-vegan additions. For example vegetables are great but not if you put butter on them.
If you’re eating out think ahead about places that can accommodate a vegan effectively- most vegans don’t consider a salad a “vegan option” so check out menus and have some ideas in advance about where you can go. There is a great app called Happy Cow that highlights vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants and cafes. I’ve been vegan for 30 years and use it all the time.
Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Crafty-Strength1626@reddit
Can I just say I’m vegan
seefroo@reddit
The thing which annoys me is when people try and stop me from eating or doing something because (to them) it's 'not vegan'.
Off the top of my head, I have multiple times taken a piece of food off a sharing platter only for someone to immediately say, "that plate has meat on it!!!". Yes, I can see that, but I'm a grown up and can make my own decisions, and that's not what being vegan is anyway.
I've also been stopped from doing the dishes at a friends house - when I had started doing the dishes, unprompted, when my friend took their dog out for a quick stroll - because 'they were used to cook meat'. Again, I could quite clearly see that, and despite insisting that I do the dishes I was told I COULD not. Not that I should not, but that I actually couldn't, as to them (a non-vegan) it wasn't vegan. Bizarre.
Also I've been pouring cereal into a bowl and was told, 'I don't think that's vegan'. I read the label of almost every single thing I eat, I know when it's vegan or not, and even if I eat it and it turns out not to be vegan then that's on me and not them.
So yeh, don't tell them what they can or can't do. It's up to them.
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
They can do whatever they want, I just didn’t want them to be stuck without milk for tea or to go hungry. I’d be grateful if they washed dishes regardless!
seefroo@reddit
Can I come and stay too?
Also someone else has mentioned wine, a good top tip is that all M&S wine is vegan. Every single bottle. No label checking required!
MattDubh@reddit
I'd ask. No point buying in stuff you wont eat. Vegan people can be picky about food, just as much as the nom nom nomnivores.
Mission_Yesterday_96@reddit
Very true. There are a lot of vegans who decline “fake meat” products, either because they’re too similar to the real thing or because they’re usually ultra-processed. I also know some who don’t eat mushrooms, yeast flakes because they remind them of fish flakes, NO fruit at all…😭
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
I’ll happily eat & drink the alternatives in due time anyway, so no harm in having them. Will make an effort to find out what’s the preferred milk, etc.
Prize-Corgi-Dog@reddit
Recommend checking if things contain honey which is often overlooked as a vegan ingredient.
Sweetie wise things like haribo may have gelatine and stuff like Worcester sauce may contain anchovies.
It might be good to come up with a rough menu and bob it over to them and ask them to critique. They might be a boring bugger who is happy with toast and peanut butter for brekkie for a week and then a lentil curry type meal on a night or they might be delighted to recommend stuff.
Always nice to consider vegan ice lollies in the hot months!
wardyms@reddit
I’d genuinely check with them what they want or would like. Pointless getting vegan milk and butter in if they’re not gonna eat them etc.
It’s something we do when hosting - not exclusive to vegans, but often kids have specific things they will and won’t eat too. Take the Britishness out of it and just ask.
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
I shall ascertain which milk and butter is preferred, if any.
Prize-Corgi-Dog@reddit
If they don't have a preference plant based lurpack is nice!
CharlemagneKidding@reddit
Don't invite them, utter headache 😅
Kanebass98@reddit
Nuts, popcorn, crisps, there are so many things that are vegan friendly these days.
I have a vegan friend so I feel your pain but it really isn't as hard as it might seem
Bossman_Mike@reddit
There is a vegan option - you can fuck off!
SeaPaleontologist832@reddit
I’m not vegan but have allergies to dairy, soya and eggs. I know it’s not the same, but I often sift through the vegan options too. I find Waitrose is very well equipped for vegan options. Hummus, olives, cornichons and pickled onions, grapes, vegan cheese and cheese dip alternatives are abundant. La Feuxmagerie Shoreditch (think I spelt that right!) is the bomb for fake cheeses. NUSH chive creamy almond spread is the best I’ve ever tasted out of all the fake cheese dips. Buy a few tho, because even dairy lovers will eat it without knowing it’s vegan. Depending on what people are in to, sauerkraut is amazing (Vadasz at Waitrose is the best). You can pair it with smoked meats/hotdogs or vegan options. Their pineapple and turmeric is even better than their garlic and dill, unbelievably! Get some smoked meat and meat alternatives just in case they want that. If you want to have some pie alternatives too, Pieminster has Mooless Moo. I’m pretty sure it’s vegan, and that brand is bomb.
DameKumquat@reddit
Check with them. My kid is vegan (technically a lactose-free vegetarian who doesn't eat eggs) and likes certain milks but not others, and hates vegan butter and marge.
So it's easier to tell my parents what would be useful (any vegan ice-cream, a block of Tofoo tofu, and whatever bread and fruit/veg you have in the house).
But not going on about it is definitely a good idea. Especially because my mum still thinks fish are fine for vegetarians and just Does Not Get It. Much easier to remember 'kid likes peanut butter and avocados', somehow.
Mean_Actuator130@reddit
As a young warty, we once had my mum's friend round who was vegan.
We all had a bowl of boiled veg. We non vegans got to have some grated cheese on ours.
Ok-Rain6295@reddit
That’s on your mum for doing boiled veg as opposed to a curry, or stew, or pasta…the majority of food on a basic level is vegan. Unless you eat a huge variety of animals, I guess.
chocklityclair@reddit
My partner once said that he couldn't understand where vegans got variety from. I asked him how he created variety in his meat meals - he said he varied the veg
Ok-Rain6295@reddit
And I bet he seasons his meat with plants!
chocklityclair@reddit
Unfortunately, if that was your mother's idea of a plant-based meal, your family diet was already restricted. I imagine the vegan visitor found it deathly dull.
snowdrop0901@reddit
Not vegan but know some....make sure the milk alternative is good for them, theyll be appreciative none the less from reading the comments, but i went to an oatmilk only household for a few weeks and i cant have oatmilk, almond for me.
Depending on the stance, possibly make sure bathroom products are vegan, like hand soaps as they can be non vegan too.
MrStink444@reddit
Buy a whole cauliflower and don't let them leave until it's all gone
AirSorvete@reddit
Vegan innit. I would ask them directly cos while some things you might think are right for vegans (such as mushrooms), there's a lot of people who do not like mushrooms etc.
decentlyfair@reddit
I am vegan and often I will bring my own stuff with me as I don’t want folks buying extra stuff. If you are getting dairy free milk maybe ask for their preference as I only have oat and if someone bought soya it wouldn’t be wasted as I hate it. Dairy free spread is a good shout as toast is then an option. Flora is a good and fairly cheap one. Crisps check for milk powder, hoummus is a good shout, olives maybe. As someone else said don’t go overboard as they might feel pressured into eating all the stuff you get in.
As others have said don’t yap on about the meat think we have all had enough of that, or explaining why we are vegan. I, for one, really don’t like talking about it once it is established that I am vegan. I am not interested in converting anyone or justifying my choices or even listening to anyone justifying why they eat meat or have them say well, I don’t eat much. You do you and I will do me. Everybody is entitled to live their life the way they choose.
Purepoise@reddit
Careful with wines. Some are filtered through fish bladders!
Prior_Hair_896@reddit
also some have bloody milk in
Lollypop1305@reddit
Just ask. My best friend is vegan so I always have vegan foods at home. If they drink make sure any beer, wine etc is vegan. Also ask about cooking meat. Some don’t mind it and some do. You’re very considerate xxx
kernowgringo@reddit
Herbivore? You'll be alright then
No_Leave_353@reddit (OP)
Omnivore ffs - long week
FewAnybody2739@reddit
Just ask your friend. They'll either tell you, or say not to bother as they'll bring their own. Otherwise you're guessing what they like and risk needlessly leaving them without something they like to eat.
Some vegan alcohol might be an idea too, as not all of it is. Guinness is vegan, but didn't use to be.
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