Introduction:
Firstly, what is veganism? Let’s get the definition out of the way before we dive into this. Veganism is about food however, it is, not merely a diet; it’s a lifestyle choice that stays away from the use of animal products, not only in food but also in everyday life. This includes clothing, beauty products, and other aspects of daily living. For many, it’s a conscious decision driven by environmental concerns, ethical considerations, and health benefits.
All these elements are valid and must be considered by someone wishing to pursue a vegan lifestyle. Now, in our case, Chris is not vegan, and Dale is. So, does this work, can it work? The simple answer is, yes!However, there are many considerations to take in.
What do you need to consider becoming vegan?
Firstly, veganism as a concept is understood by people who have an intrinsic conviction of animal rights being respected, which means not abusing animals, including eating animals. Being vegan is very possible in a society where people (all or some) have the freedom and the opportunity to think and purchase whatever they want whenever they want. Therefore, it tends to be more popular in places where all the relevant food groups which encompass a healthy nutritious vegan diet are available to the public at a reasonable cost. In addition, in a place where alternative lifestyle choices can be obtained at a cost which is reasonable to the population’s affordability. If you live in a place where you cannot get certain food groups i.e. avocados, or cannot find shops that sell non-leather items at a reasonable price or for much of the year, then, veganism may be slightly difficult as a diet because of the hurdles you will face in obtaining these foods or items will be insurmountable. With that said, veganism is still possible in some of these countries. So, the bottom line is, to understand your environment and how you can source and maintain a vegan lifestyle if you are considering this lifestyle.
What is the perspective of someone who is not vegan and living in a vegan “possible” society?
There are a multitude of reasons. Firstly, this is section going to focus on non-vegans in a society where they have the luxury to choose which lifestyle they want to have and understand the concept of a vegan lifestyle. The most obvious reason is a lack of awareness. Other reasons include nutritional concerns, convenience and practicality, economic factors, personal health, lack of support, lack of belief in vegan ideals and taste preferences. For Chris, it comes down to practicality and taste. I (Chris) remember a time when I called myself a “struggling vegan” because of the slight guilt I felt about adopting a selfish stance on my nutritional intake. However, personal taste preferences and habits developed over a lifetime can be challenging to change. Some individuals may have strong preferences for the taste and texture of animal products, making it challenging for them to transition to a plant-based diet. In my case, I found that I had a strong preference/taste for butter (which I couldn’t shake) and occasionally, I would want to indulge in a lamb curry. As time has gone on these are less and less frequent, because I applied my knowledge of seasoning to vegan cooking! But still, there and the occasional indulgences which I embrace as a guilt-free experience, because, it is a valid choice to miss the taste and have the item if, it is a) relevant b) widely available and accepted. This meal can be enjoyed while taking into account the fact that legality doesn’t equal morality but that taste, and practicality are important and separate from taking a moral stance when something is legal.
Therefore, all these perspectives are valid and reasonable, depending on the person’s life stage. Having come from a place of unawareness, and considered all the perspectives and immersed myself in each reason for a deeper exploration of what comes out of that. It was with great surprise that learning more about veganism, got me more excited about food in general! So… whatever, your preferences, I believe that once a non-vegan has also established their reason for being non-vegan then this builds the next step for a successful foundation for any relationship. The key is to know why you like what you like and then it is campus for moving forward in any relationship.
What’s it like to be in a mixed relationship: Vegan and non-vegan?
Dating a vegan is a unique experience, but it’s important to remember that just like any other lifestyle choice, it varies from person to person. Here are some common aspects to consider which I have learned from my experiences:
1. Having shared values: One of the significant advantages of dating a vegan is the potential for shared values. If you focus on your differences, there will be every reason to end the relationship. Pack -up and start with someone else or alone. However, we have managed to have conversations about the values that we share. We know we are aligned on health consciousness, compassion towards animals, environmental sustainability. These are core values that vegans or non-vegans can hold. Conversations around these values makes for a much more fun debate-at times & shared learning in other situations.
2. Culinary adventures: It is true that before we dated I ate avocados, quinoa, okra and flavoured my foods to the high heavens! Being from Africa, there was no excuse for poor seasoning-the cliché is real for me. However, I do not think I would have ever considered using avocado in cakes or add quinoa to muffins or indulging in okra tempuras! Veganism has opened my eyes to new recipes which have expanded my culinary repertoire.
Dating a vegan might introduce you to a whole new world of delicious and creative plant-based meals. Exploring vegan restaurants, trying out new recipes together, and discovering alternative ingredients can be a fun and rewarding experience. It has been for us!
3. Open communication: The biggest and by far most exciting revelation that has come from our differences has been more open and deep communication. Like any relationship, open and honest communication is key! Some of these have been painful, hurtful, frustrating and funny! Either way, it has shown us that our differences have given us perspective. Dale has discovered that it is not always practical especially, for someone who doesn’t live in a “non-vegan possible” society. Choosing to focus on mutual respect and trust for the other person’s though process has helped us have many more open conversations about dating as a vegan and non-vegan couple. All in all, you cannot run away from it- discussing dietary preferences, potential challenges, and finding common ground is crucial to navigating a mixed-diet relationship successfully.
Does veganism affect dating preferences?
The question of whether someone being vegan turns you away from wanting to date them is subjective and varies from person to person. Some might see it as an opportunity to explore a new lifestyle, while others may feel it’s a hurdle if they strongly prefer a non-vegan lifestyle. Luckily, the universe led us to each other, and we discovered that our curiosity took over and our differences were a point of learning and deep exploration!
It’s essential to recognize that compatibility in values, communication, and mutual respect plays a more significant role in the success of a relationship than dietary choices alone. Many mixed-diet couples thrive by finding common ground and respecting each other’s choices. This is what we choose to focus on.
Thank you for tuning in! Leave a comment and thumbs up if you liked this.
Till next time.
C & D
xxx