Tips for Surviving Your July 4th Without Meat

When you embark on a diet without meat, there is always a first time where you must adapt to your same environment, only with a different perspective and diet choice. Say you attend your first family reunion without being able to eat your uncle’s famous ribs. And, of course there is your first Fourth of July, where grilling meat is common and you must learn to adapt without partaking in something you may have once really enjoyed. The key is not feeling deprived, but making and obtaining food that is delicious to help you survive your first celebration without meat. Here are some tips for surviving your July 4th while avoiding meat:

1. Make a Bangin’ Veggie Burger

Take any vegetable or grain, and you can make a veggie burger around that item. Meat burgers are pretty similar in taste, but there is so much more creativity and variety that you can employ when making veggie burgers. Black beans, lentils, sweet potatoes, onions, steel cut oats, quinoa and carrots are all great choices for making burgers. Try these 10 Epic Veggie Burgers to Throw on the Grill Now and these 40 Most Magnificent Vegan Burgers to Serve on Fourth of July.

2. Enjoy Old Favorites in New Ways

As a plant-based eater, you don’t have to deprive yourself during gatherings like July 4th BBQs simply because you can no longer eat your favorite foods like burgers, ribs or macaroni and cheese. There are vegan versions for almost any meat and dairy dish you can imagine. Enjoy your old favorites in new ways. Try these Balsamic BBQ Seitan and Tempeh Ribs, one of these 5 Killer Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipes, Spicy Balsamic Tofu Veggie Kebabs, and the Best Ever Vegan ‘Steak’ Sandwich on the Planet.

3. Grill Away

Meat isn’t the only thing that can be grilled; your July 4th can be full of delicious, plant-based recipes that are perfect for grilling. Try these 30 Epic Vegan-friendly Grilling Ideas for Your July 4th Cookout.

4. Avoid Uncomfortable Situations and Confrontation

Surviving a July 4th celebration without eating meat takes some prior planning to get in a certain mindset, especially if you are a lone plant eater amidst a group of meat eaters. Make a mental note to step away from the area near the grill when people are cooking meat. Also, think about how to avoid any confrontation, since loved ones may feel surprised and even a little hurt that you will not eat meat with them. If you want to enjoy your holiday and not argue about Animal rights on the one time you get to chill outside, watch fireworks and see several loved ones, think of a reply you will say if you’re in a situation where people want to poke fun at your or ask several questions with wide-eyes as if you were an alien. Tell them about the awesome articles here one One Green Planet that they can read whenever they’d like, and say for now you’d rather relax and not argue, since you’re passionate about the subject. Enjoy the party!

5. Treat Yourself

You’ve earned a treat, so indulge in one of these mouth-watering, raw vegan desserts. It’s amazing what you can do with healthy, natural ingredients like nuts, almond milk and fruit. Also, check out these 30 Vegan Desserts to Show Off You Are a Proud American on July 4th.

Image source: Raw Mango Banana Soft Serve Ice Cream