So Turkey day is in less than 24-hours but there's one caveat, you went vegan six months ago. What are you planning to do? The evening's meal is sure to be chalk full of animal products, even in dishes that appear safe.
But if you’re a vegan that celebrates Thanksgiving, all is not lost. There is so much you can do to make your holiday enjoyable without partaking in turkey. Check out our Thanksgiving tips for vegans below.
Bring your own food
If you know your family and friends may not be accommodating, hop in the kitchen and whip up a few vegan dishes to bring to dinner. It’s always a good idea to bring enough to share, so they can see that vegan dishes can also be delicious on Thanksgiving. If anything, bring a vegan dessert. No one can complain about pie, even if it doesn’t have eggs or dairy.
Help with the cooking
If you don’t have time to cook at home beforehand, bring your ingredients with you. You can teach your family and friends a thing or two about vegan cooking while making sure you have food you can eat once dinnertime comes.
Suck up to that family member who understands you
Perhaps you have a favorite aunt of grandmother who accepts your new lifestyle. It wouldn’t hurt to butter them up to get have the mashed potatoes made without milk and butter.
Be wary of how dishes are being prepared
Thanksgiving cooking is often a daylong scramble to get everything on the table before hanger sets in. If you’re especially concerned about contamination, take a once or twice over of the cooking and avoid anything out of your comfort zone.
Be prepared for snarky comments
Family and friends who don’t understand may use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to have a few jokes at your expense. Don’t take it personally but don’t accept comments that make you upset or uncomfortable. Excuse yourself from the conversation as quickly as you can.
Be wary of saboteurs
Your mother insists the glossy bits in the "vegan" potato salad she made you are just extra bits of potato and not egg. Be firm with family and friends that try and sneak animal products into your food. It happens.
Host Thanksgiving at your place
The best way to know if your Thanksgiving meal is completely vegan is to make it yourself. Flip the script and host Thanksgiving at your place for a change. Prepare a fully vegan meal for your family and friends and have them bring their own non-vegan dishes if they wish.
