Surviving the Thanksgiving Holiday as A Vegan

Did this year go by fast or what? It is Thanksgiving time again, and I know some of you will be cooking. Also, some of you will be attending Thanksgiving Festivities. Either way, you want to know what to eat for the big day.

At family member's house, I am quite sure there will be turkey, ham, roast, or some other type of meat. So, I recommend for you to take your favorite dishes to the gathering. Also, you can eat before you get there. I believe I will do a little of both.

 Some of the things vegans eat for Thanksgiving will be a list of foods I prepared throughout my nine years of being on a plant-based diet. So, let's start with faux meats. Tofurky makes an excellent replacement for turkey. They have a delicious holiday roast that I tried just a few years ago. When it comes to a roast that tastes similar to ham, there is no alternative. Add it with some homemade mushroom gravy, and you are good to go!

Another great alternative is the Gardein roast. This one tastes more similar to turkey, and it comes with a delicious cranberry and rice stuffing. 

When it comes to homemade foods, you can never go wrong with garlic “buttery” vegan mashed potatoes, or a delicious vegan green bean casserole topped with fried onions. These are some of my favorite options to bring to the dinner table, and if you can make a vegan potato salad, that is a plus. 

If you don't want to bring tons of dishes to a families house, another thing you can do would be to focus on side dishes. Be careful with this though, as many Thanksgiving foods made with butter. Always ask before eating to make sure it is vegan.

The best way to circumvent any issue with eating as a vegan is to talk to the cook. If you speak to the cook about your veganism, you can request some vegan dishes for the menu, even if they are side dishes. Also, it is good to know that while you are eating with family, you don't have to defend your veganism or protest at the dinner table. Save the debates for a different time, that's one thing I have learned over the years.

So it is not hard to be vegan during the holidays, it just requires a little extra planning. But if you plan it right, it can make the holidays and fantastic and memorable experience!