How to tell vegan friends to back off?!

Are you saying you can't be a healthy vegan? Yeah, fruits, veggies, beans, whole grains....they're so NOT healthy. Give me a break.

It's not that simple. The overall diet often lacks sufficient protein and will lack B12 without supplementation.

One word: Marmite

That is a valid solution to a very restrictive diet. Sounds delicious

Have you *eaten* Marmite?

lol

I'm not a vegan but I have eaten Marmite. Is similar to Vegemite which is very common in Australia, many people eat it in sandwiches, on toast or crumpets or cracker biscuits.

Not sure what point you are making about it?

I live in the United States. I've eaten Marmite on cheese sandwiches before and found it passable--but there is not enough cheese in the world to make it a regular part of my diet. It's common in other countries, but we've never really developed a taste for it here--the first time I tried it, I found it to be pretty nasty stuff.

Sorry.

Apparently people didn't learn much how to "back off" on either side or this thread wouldn't have been growing...

I'm not a vegan but I have eaten Marmite. Is similar to Vegemite which is very common in Australia, many people eat it in sandwiches, on toast or crumpets or cracker biscuits.

Not sure what point you are making about it?

I live in the United States. I've eaten Marmite on cheese sandwiches before and found it passable--but there is not enough cheese in the world to make it a regular part of my diet. It's common in other countries, but we've never really developed a taste for it here--the first time I tried it, I found it to be pretty nasty stuff.

Sorry.

I grew up in the UK and ate marmite ( just like Vegemite) almost every day. Now I have a craving. I think today I will be out buying marmite for my toast and branston pickle for my sandwiches:)

Are you saying you can't be a healthy vegan? Yeah, fruits, veggies, beans, whole grains....they're so NOT healthy. Give me a break.

It's not that simple. The overall diet often lacks sufficient protein and will lack B12 without supplementation.

I'll give you that B12 can be difficult to obtain to those who don't plan, but with all the vegan products available in 2014, as well as the abundance of protein options from tofu, tempeh, seitan, etc., protein isn't really an issue in the modern vegan diet.

It still takes a good deal of planning and cooking. Unless you're living in a place like Manitou Springs, CO, most restaurants' options will have little to no protein. The point is that you don't simply eat fruits, veggies, and grains and have a healthy diet. I'm not saying that it can't be done.

As a long time vegan I concur, often I see vegans who neglect supplementing their diet or planning correctly thus creating nutritional deficiencies...as is the case with a lot of restrictive diets.

Also there are omnivores who also suffer from nutritional deficiencies, as it could be said the general public are poorly educated when it comes to dietary needs.

It can be done, there is no doubt about it, if the right research is performed and the correct steps are taken.

But don't forget it is not just an issue of only personal preference but also that of geographical and financial means. e.g. I have traveled myself as have vegan friends of mine both overseas and within my own country and the concept of vegan is not only unfamiliar to some cultures but also a completely alien idea thus making it difficult to get a well balanced vegan diet in these areas...and I am not just talking about far off lands but places such as rural areas in my country, seriously good luck finding a health food store that stocks the supplements or meat replacements mentioned or a restaurant that caters to vegans.

The paragraph above is an example of how planning and preparation is necessary to a large degree when just traveling.

Not impossible but as mentioned planning, preparation, education are definitely necessary to do it properly...hasn't stopped me tho but a restrictive diet is just what it suggests restrictive at times and anyone who says any different I doubt their very adherence to their diet.

A friend of mine pointed out something about people who are vegi/vegan, that if you have them round for dinner, you feel obliged to cater for their diets, but if you visit them, you eat how they eat. (And God forbid you bring up that gem without ear protection about animal murderers lol)

Having lived with a vegan who sat making cow noises at me while I ate a burger, I have no sympathy with the militant ones. If you eat and don't feel the need to try and convert everyone and the cat then carry on. It is so boring.

This doesn't bother me, personally. I would expect that a veg/vegan host is going to feed me veg/vegan food, and of course I am going to feed veg/vegan guests food they can eat. It would be the same for any diet restriction. If you're going to push your diet on me, regardless of what it is, then we are not going to be friends in the first place. But if you're not, then I'll happily share a vegan/paleo/gluten-free/whatever meal with you.

That is a valid solution to a very restrictive diet. Sounds delicious

It is an acquired taste, I grew up with it and I love the stuff. I eat it everyday, not because I have to but because it is delicious. Marmite, avocado on a flat bread wrap is bad assed. In NZ most people eat it, it isn't just a "vegan" food, when the one and only marmite factory was damaged by earthquake it was actually called Maramageddon
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/9941863/New-Zealanders-rejoice-at-end-of-marmageddon.html

I'm not a vegan but I have eaten Marmite. Is similar to Vegemite which is very common in Australia, many people eat it in sandwiches, on toast or crumpets or cracker biscuits.

Not sure what point you are making about it?

I don't know if that was directed at me but it has tons of B12

Yes I know it is high in B12. My comment was not directed at you at all but at Loup Garou who asked "have you eaten marmite?" - her question seemed to imply to me that marmite was horrible and who would ever want to eat it.

Was just pointing out that many people do eat Marmite/Vegemite in countries like Australia and NZ, most people eating it here are not Vegan, its just a common everyday food that many people eat.
Not a horrible item that vegans must endure.

Yes I know it is high in B12. My comment was not directed at you at all but at Loup Garou who asked "have you eaten marmite?" - her question seemed to imply to me that marmite was horrible and who would ever want to eat it.

Was just pointing out that many people do eat Marmite/Vegemite in countries like Australia and NZ, most people eating it here are not Vegan, its just a common everyday food that many people eat.
Not a horrible item that vegans must endure.

Gotcha

And as I explained, I'm an American. Most of us are not acculturated to it and many (if not most) find it pretty horrible. As I said: "sorry."

No need to apologise, was just a passing comment on my behalf.

And I agree it is an acquired taste, most Australian kids acquire it in childhood - but I have heard of many Australians who took. Vegemite overseas for their relatives or friends in other countries to try - most of them felt same way about it as you.

Yet to meet a non Australian who likes vegemits.

I had some for breaky this morning and it was delish. LOVE a good sodium hit :laugh: