Enjoy dating other singles who have different food preferences than you.

• Home
• Online Dating
• First Date
• Relationships
• Dating Advice

The Raw Truth about Dating a Vegetarian

Have you ever dated a vegetarian? If you answered “no”, there is a fairly good chance that could change. According to a study by "Vegetarianism in America", published by the Vegetarian Times Magazine, the number of U.S. adult vegetarians is estimated to be around 7.3 million, or 3.2 percent of the population. Of that total number, 0.5 percent, or 1 million people do not consume any animal products whatsoever.¹

Soon after you start dating a vegetarian, you will probably realize fairly quickly the challenges you are faced with when you follow a diet that does not include meat – especially if you are not a vegetarian or know much about this type of diet. Trying to determine the right place to dine out can be extremely tricky, especially when you are not familiar with the restaurants that you want to try out.

Catering to vegans can be even trickier. Vegans eat only plant products and do not consume or use anything that originated from animals. This includes foods with milk and eggs in them, so you can see where finding a restaurant with suitable choices could be difficult. You definitely don’t want to offer a meal with anything in it that is not appropriate.

So once you have determined the dietary expectations of your date, how do you find a restaurant that offers the right choices to please both of you? The Internet is a great resource for finding particular types of restaurants. A simple Google search will likely yield many possibilities for your date. Definitely do your homework by checking out the menu of any eatery of interest before dining there. Call the restaurant and inquire specifically about menu choices that would be appropriate for each of your dietary needs. Many restaurants offer at least one vegan menu item, but one that has a bigger variety is probably the best bet so there are more options.

If you would prefer to prepare a meal at home instead, there are many web sites that cater to the vegetarian lifestyle and provide recipes and tips for making a meal in your own kitchen. There are also many books readily available online or at your local bookstore that provide instructions about how to create tasty vegetarian dishes. And just think, it could be a lot of fun shopping together for all the necessary ingredients and then preparing the meal together.

So how do you deal with dating and being a vegetarian? At times it can be tough to date because there are others who are not very supportive of your lifestyle. One of my friends and a vegetarian, Jeniffer, had this to say about it :

“For me the only way to date someone who is not vegetarian is if they respect my personal choices as a human and a vegetarian. I do not understand why people feel they must convert me back to being a meat eater.” In addition, she recommends online dating sites, such as VegetarianDating.com and VeggieDate.org, for those vegetarians who are interested in dating other vegetarians.

Dating someone with a dietary lifestyle that differs from your own takes compromise. Try to stay focused on the needs of the other person and keep an open mind. But most importantly, be respectful of the choices each of you has made in how you would like to live.

¹ Raw Food Health, www.raw-food-health.net/NumberOfVegetarians.html

Bookmark or Share this Article

More

Additional Internet Dating Topics

Priorities

There is an old saying that states, “Do not make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option”. This is very good advice. Are you currently searching for someone who will make you a priority in his or her life? And are you searching for the person who you can make a priority in your life right back? Online dating services can help you to find someone who compliments your life perfectly and makes you feel like you are the top priority in that person’s life. Why not try one of the many Internet dating services that are available and see?

Words Make an Impact

Online dating sites as well as social media outlets give you the opportunity to see what someone else is about and how people communicate with others. By seeing these interactions, you can more easily determine if another person is someone you are interested in getting to know better. Perhaps you will even get to reach out to another single and start the relationship of a lifetime with your soul mate.

Some Tips for Men

Comfort is a key consideration for men when choosing what to wear on a first date. However, it is just as important to let your date know that you have put a good effort into dressing to look nice for her. A classic look that includes khaki pants or jeans with a button-down shirt is always a good option. Don’t forget to pay attention to the basics of grooming – make sure you have shaved and that your shirt is not full of wrinkles. Also, try to avoid putting on too much aftershave or cologne.

Ladies First

In the beginning stages of dating, it is probably a good practice to let the female take the lead when it comes to communicating via text. If a man comes on too strong and tries to contact a lady repeatedly, or vice versa, it could lead to the early demise of a relationship. If someone that you have started dating gives you his or her cell phone number, do not inundate that person with calls and text messages. Wait until you are both a bit farther along in the relationship because doing this could make the other person uncomfortable. Play it safe and be conservative!

Good Weather Equals Good Mood

Doug Larsen was once quoted saying, “Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” Everyone seems to be in a better mood when spring arrives. And it’s no wonder since there are so many more activities to be involved in during this time of year. Get involved in something outdoors like hiking or watching a baseball game at the local park. Whatever you decide to do with your time, you will not only get the benefit of enjoying the great weather, but you might meet some new people while you’re at it.