The Fast Food Dilemma

*Note: I had an idea for a blog about restaurant eating, but decided I wanted to break it down further. So without further ado, my thoughts on the 'Fast Food Dilemma' that all vegans (and I would venture to guess that anyone on a restrictive diet) finds themselves in.

One thing that I always said about being vegan, and that I hear people say all the time is "Well, what if you go out to eat? There's nothing vegan there!" I think these fears are amplified in regards to fast food, and for good reason. Fast food places, one in particular, have been sued, have had films made about them, have undergone perhaps justified FDA crackdowns, and have served as the subject for many a sensationalist entertainment news segment. Your fears are probably valid, but they don't have to be an all-consuming "oh, just forget it" notion. I myself, eat out a lot more than I should. Much of this does include fast food. My career and lifestyle has me gone from my beloved apartment in ten or twelve hour stretches sometimes. I obviously have to eat, and I don't always bring enough snacks to get by or make enough food the night before. So, yes, this often leaves fast food as my primary option.

What it boils down to, is that it involves a little creative thinking and knowing how to talk to people kindly. That's all! It's no different than any other restrictive diet. There are almost always options. I am not afraid to ask waiters/cashiers/etc. how things are prepared, and what they would recommend to a vegan. If they don't know, and they may not, do not stress out and do not, I repeat, do not talk down to them because the corporation that they work for may not inform every employee of it's policies. Just thank them for their input, and think. Is there anything on the menu that could probably come without meat and dairy? Is there something you want not listed, but the ingredients are all used in other things? Go for it, ask. 99% of the time, they will be fine with it, and I would venture that 70% of the time there is no upcharge.

And yes, some places are easier than other. I think we all know that not all fast food restaurants are created equal. Many fast food chains have earned their unhealthy reputations. Still, many have not, and even the ones who have, there may be options. So what fast food should you aim for?

The obvious choices are sandwich and smoothie shops. Superfood abounds and many of these places make me very excited! I don't think I even need to explain smoothie shops, so we'll move on to sandwich shops. Even if a sandwich shop doesn't have a veggie or vegan sub listed, they will make it for you, gladly, and it isn't very expensive. The best part is that a lot of these places offer veggies as free toppings and you are more then welcome to just keep piling them on. Additionally there are often options to put in salad form instead or whole-grain breads can be used. You can get variety this way too, just mix up what you do and do not get on it. I love veggies and am not one who needs a ton of variety without getting bored. I understand not everyone is like this, and to you I suggest experimenting with different naturally derived condiments, veggies you've never tried, and combining different options each time.

One group of options that may be less obvious is to try Tex-Mex or other ethnically-inspired fast food restaurants. In regards to Tex-Mex, most of the big chains will do beans in place of meat in any of their regular menu items, and you can always ask to leave the cheese off and ask for extra veggies. Other ethnically-inspired fast food places (and depending on where you live, there may not be many) are actually pretty liberal with their vegetarian or vegan-friendly options, as many Asian, European, and Middle Eastern diets are already pretty healthy. If your favorite one is an exception to this, this is another time to just ask what the best options are and how various things are prepared; if nothing seems satisfactory than just get what you normally would sans meat with extra veggies/nuts/wheat germ, whatever they have. The number one thing to take away from this blog entry is to never be afraid to (politely) ask for what you want/need.

Standard burger or chicken joints are a bit of a beast. I can't tell you how many times I've downed a mediocre (or worse) side salad and fries that I've convinced myself aren't cooked in lard just to keep the peace among meat-loving friends. Some places are better than others, just like anything else in life. My best advice here is just to know and remember which places have decent options and which don't. Some have veggie burgers, some have veggies as side options, some have decent salad options. You just have to remember, and if someone asks how you feel about eating somewhere it is okay to say you aren't crazy about it or not in the mood for it. You don't have to endure ridicule about your food choices (although if that's a real fear, get some new friends. Seriously) if you just say one of those two things. Even before I was a vegetarian, I was never afraid to say "Oh, I'm not in the mood for that, do you mind if we go (fill in the blank) instead?" If they say no (and chances are they won't) then you may just have to come up with some more ideas until you come up with a proper compromise.

I mention the issue of asserting yourself to friends or family who may not want to always eat at healthier places because it's one that I, until recently, have struggled with fairly ardently. The keys to being able to do it with regularity are: A) being willing to compromise and b) remembering that it is no different than how you would treat a friend or family member on a diet; not even on a diet, but if they just didn't like something. My mother hates seafood, would I, even if I wasn't a vegetarian, insist on a seafood restaurant? Absolutely not. Even in recent history, I realize that my roommate is not on this journey with me. We have an unspoken compromise; he never suggests burger joints, and I never suggest strictly vegetarian places if we are going to get food together. Assertive, not aggressive.

So, those are my thoughts on fast food. Hope it was helpful and gave some insight. One day my blog is going to start getting ballsy and naming names...but that day is not today;)

As always, peace and love.