One thing I didn't think about when changing my lifestyle, was going out to eat! Really, how hard can it be??? Pretty darn hard, lol! It becomes a game of 20 (or more) questions. Do you say you are vegan or claim to be allergic to everything? Well, if you are honest and say you are vegan, they may not take you seriously and serve you food cooked in butter....but if you say you have an allergy, the wait staff may panic, lol! It is all about talking to the wait staff, asking the right questions, and NOT being too aggressive. Many people don't understand the diet, not even realizing butter is an animal product (sad, I know). Some just don't care.
So this is how it works:
1. Begin by feeling out the waitress, ask a simple question like: 'does the batter you use contain any dairy or eggs'? She might simply say...'I don't know, let me go check' or she might just answer (without caring one bit) 'I don't THINK so'. If she says I don't think so, and doesn't offer to find out, say you have an allergy. This will let her know it is important to KNOW or find out ;) There are so many people with allergies these days, saying you have an allergy isn't really a big deal!
2. Look over the menu and READ all the descriptions! Check the appetizers and sides options, you can probably create a healthy vegan meal using those options! There are always steamed veggies, side salads, roasted potatoes, rice and soups (ask about ingredients first) that can be ordered in larger portions to make a filling meal. Salads are great, ask for no meat and cheese, and check the dressing options (ask for lemon slices if there are no vegan dressings) and enjoy!
3. Call ahead and ask if they offer vegan dishes :) That makes it so much easier!
4. Vegan pizza can be ordered at MOST places! Pizza dough is vegan (but double check just incase), ask for fresh veggies and some tomato sauce! So yummy!!!
5. Items to double check: bread, tortillas, batter, dressing, rice, fries, pizza dough, and pasta. These items can have some strange ingredients like milk in tortillas (seriously) or fries soaked in beef broth, butter in rice, milk in pizza dough, etc. Ask the waitress to double check, and let her know you could get sick (or be visiting the bathroom frequently, lol)
6. Don't be afraid to ask and double check ingredients, something my husband is really good at! He is actually better at it than me (due to years of working in the restaurant business), I assume certain things are vegan...and then he asks and we learn they are not!
7. Don't get discouraged! Ask the waitress for help, they can talk to the cook/chef and see what options you have. There are always options :) It may be upsetting...everyone else is ready to order, the menu is full of meat & dairy...but take a closer look and you will find some yummy things! Eventually you will get better and better at it!
8. OR...look for a Vegan restaurant!!! You never know, you might find one in your area :)
Restaurants that are easy to veganize:
Mexican
Thai
Indian
Chinese
Pizza (double check the dough)
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