The vegan community has skyrocketed in recent years. Whereas veganism was relatively unheard of by the general public at the start of this century, it's now much better understood.
More people are choosing a plant-based diet than ever before, and many meat-eaters, flexitarians, and vegetarians eat vegan food from time to time.
However, you may still find yourself the only vegan at a social gathering every once in a while.
Key Takeaways
Be Proactive When It Comes To Vegan Food
If you're eating at a restaurant, check the menu online to see if any dishes are vegan-friendly and don't contain animal derived ingredients (such as eggs, dairy, honey, etc.). If you aren't sure, give the restaurant a call in advance to see if they can cater to vegans. Most restaurants will be happy to provide a vegan meal if given enough notice.
If you’re attending a social gathering at someone’s house, contact the host in advance to discuss food options. Offer to bring a vegan dish to share. Be sure to think of dessert; there’s nothing worse than sitting in front of an empty plate while everyone around you tucks into a sweet treat.
Take Enough of Your Vegan Recipe To Share
Some people still mistakenly believe that vegan food is dull and unappealing.
Show them this isn’t the case by taking something to share.
Why not bake something for dessert (be sure to check with the host first) or take a small side to accompany the main meal?

If you're meeting someplace neutral, you could bake a cake or take some simple vegan dishes to share with the group. A picnic is an ideal setting to share vegan eats that tickle the taste buds.
Some people still think vegan living means missing out, which is absolute nonsense.
Make sure you have vegan substitutes for food people will be eating, even if it’s chips and salsa in front of the game.
Choosing accidentally vegan products from household brands will promote awareness of which products are vegan-friendly. Don't be surprised if a box of Oreos gets brought out next time you visit!
Protect Yourself
You get to decide your own boundaries and take steps to protect yourself. If you don’t want to eat nut roast next to the carcass of a turkey, ask your family to set the table differently this year.
While they may not understand, you might be surprised by how supportive people can be. If the idea of attending a barbecue that smells of burning flesh feels like too much, make plans to see your family some other time. You don’t have to do things that don’t feel comfortable.
It’s ok to say you can’t do something. You don’t have to tell people why.
You can simply make excuses and suggest another date for meeting up (and doing something different). Alternatively, you might feel fine around meat, and that’s great, too.
As long as you’re comfortable and happy, that’s all that matters. If your boundary is that you’ll attend the barbecue as long as your vegan food is cooked on a different barbeque, make it happen.
Give People The Benefit Of The Doubt
It's easy to assume the worst of human beings, but you'll be much happier if you assume the best. An example might be vegan burgers cooked next to meat burgers on the barbeque.
The thought of animal fat dripping on your burger might turn your stomach, but your host likely thinks they’ve done a great job by finding some vegan burgers for you.
Don’t assume these things are done with malicious intent, and don’t be afraid to explain your issues.
It’s helpful to think the event through in advance and identify any potential issues so you can figure out a workaround.

Find A Support System Within Your Vegan Community
Sometimes, you won’t even notice you’re the only vegan at a social gathering. If the host has made an effort to feed you, and the other guests are supportive of your veganism, you’ll likely not even give much thought to being the only vegan because you’ll be too busy having fun.
There may be times, however, when you don’t have much to eat, where being vegan makes you the butt of the jokes, and where people ask you questions about veganism only to get defensive at your answers.
On these days, you’ll want a support system in place. Your support system might be your best vegan friend who will reply to your messages of despair with uplifting comments or an online community where you can get a virtual hug from like-minded folk.
Resist The Vegan Society Stereotype
There are a lot of misconceptions about veganism and vegans. People assume we miss out, can’t eat anything, have no sense of humor, and are out to make other people feel bad about their food choices.
Some people will try and push you into those stereotypes with their (tedious, unfunny) ‘jokes’ at your expense. Some people will ask you questions about why you’re vegan and then react defensively as though you’re having a go at them (not just answering the question they just asked).
Avoid being pushed into the vegan stereotype. Be yourself. Have fun. Don’t let your small-minded uncle ruin the social event for you.
Hang out with the guests who support your choices and limit your contact with those who can't see you as anything other than ‘the vegan'. Be polite, have compassion, and avoid getting into a confrontation.
People sometimes get offended by veganism because it holds a mirror up to their own misdoings. It’s easier to stay ignorant, stick to the status quo, and ‘other’ any vegans they meet along the way.
If you used to eat meat, you may remember feeling the same way about veganism in the past.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to being the only one who practices veganism at a social gathering. At some social gatherings, you may not even feel like the only vegan; you're too busy having fun and being included.
At other events, however, you might stick out like a sore thumb. It's never fun feeling othered, and you can be forgiven for dreading these social events.
Remember this, though: You're doing the right thing. Veganism is the best path to sustainable and compassionate living. Your lifestyle is helping prevent animal exploitation, preserve the environment, improve your health, and give hope to the entire world.
Veganism is crucial to the fight against animal abuse and climate change, so more and more people will need to adopt a vegan diet in the near future. You are on the right side of history.
Sure, you may have to put up with the odd excruciating family meal or a yawn-worthy Christmas party with unsupportive co-workers, but you’re doing something important.
Over the next decade, more and more people will join the vegan movement, and the days of being the lone vegan anywhere may be behind us.
Have we missed any helpful pointers off this list? Please share your top tips in the comments.