That is a big part of the reason I'm "in the closet" to borrow a phrase about trying to eat a vegan diet. I got so much stinking grief about losing some much needed weight, which included "Do you only eat salad?" that when I decided to ditch meat and eventually dairy as well I have kept this mostly to myself. It is sad that I also tell my kids on a regular basis, "Please don't discuss my eating habits with anyone.".
You would think I chose to skydive without a parachute!

i just tell tell people i eat this way for health reasons, which is true. i'm quite overweight with high cholesterol and blood pressure. i dont like the side effects from the meds and let people know i wish to get off my meds. once i explain the cholesterol is only found in animal products as well as the fat content and my BP they are mostly pretty supportive for the most part. my friends give me crap about having to give up bacon etc but its all in fun so it doesn't bother me. strangers dont tend to mess with me because i'm tall and stout and can be intimidating so i've been lucky so far. fingers crossed.

Yes. I always feel I should always bring super delicious food to social events so everyone knows vegan food is tasty, too.

But it's our decisions really. We don't have to be the ambassadors of veganism everywhere we go. And we could just decide we're the way we are and we don't care what other people think about what we eat.

Bah. Vegans are always expected to be 100%. I know so many people who eat meat and have deficiencies or are actually anemic.

The reason Vegans sometimes tend to feel this pressure is actually because of other Vegans. I have been members of various Vegan groups and you always get the 'Vegan Police' those that immediately Judge others and how Vegan they are 'Shock Horror I've eaten an item that was Vegan but it was made by a company that once had a driver who drank some cows milk'. These same Vegans are the ones that sit and Tut whenever they see an Omnivore eat something which makes the omnivores then want to Judge us and our diets.

I'm not a Vegan because I believe the food to be healthier being a Vegan is more than just food its a whole lifestyle. I am the best Vegan I can be but I am not perfect. I have eaten something with honey in by mistake recently but we live and learn. Most Omnivores dont really care what we eat or what we do unless we shove it in their faces. In my opinion the best advert for being a Vegan is living a life that people hardly notice your one. The fact you get on with your life and are well normal. this reinforces the fact we are normal people. I will happily debate with people the issues but I don't ram it down there throats. I have a friend who Ive know for 20 yeas she has been a Vegan since she was 14. She always inspired me to become a Vegan because she has just got on with her life. She has 3 healthy and Happy Vegan children and just gets on with life. That's what I do and I believe food wise there are healthy Vegan diets the same way there can be healthy animal based ones. I personally though do not want to participate in the cruelty involved in the latter. I got fat being a Vegan and am now getting Thin being one.

The only pressure about being a Vegan is that that you put on yourself. In some ways you should have less pressure to know that your choices are helping reduce needless cruelty in the world. be the best Vegan you can by just getting on with it,

My mom always says "Oh, you can't have that". She "forgets" that chicken and fish are considered meat, and that no, I do not in fact eat soup made with chicken broth...

My brother is always giving me grief about being vegetarian. He once asked me if he needed to hide his house plants when I came to visit so I wouldn't be tempted to eat them... so I said, "Yes, if they're edible maybe you should. Do I need to hide my dog when you come to my house?"

I've never thought of it- but now I feel pressure- lol!