No matter how steamy your relationship, suggesting your partner go vegan can trigger some fiery resistance. Fear not! We’re sharing some simple tips to gently encourage and inspire your partner to go vegan along with you.
Can you get your partner to go vegan?
Firstly, it’s important to note that, of course, you cannot (and must not) force anyone to do something they don’t want to do. If you want to date exclusively vegans and vegetarians, there are dating apps dedicated to helping like-minded people find each other. This is, arguably, preferable to dating someone who isn’t vegan, and then trying to get them to change their eating habits after a relationship has already started. That’s a recipe for an argument.
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That said, it’s understandable that anyone would want their partner to try out a vegan lifestyle. After all, it is associated with many health, environmental, and ethical benefits. If you want your partner to give it a try, gentle encouragement is likely the way forward. And remember: while you can encourage, inform, and inspire, at the end of the day, everyone has autonomy over their own eating habits. It’s up to you to decide if it’s a deal-breaker for you if your partner won’t change their meat-eating ways.
But if you’d like to give a little gentle encouragement a try, here are five tips to help you potentially change their mind.
5 tips to gently encourage your partner to try a vegan lifestyle
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1 Don’t preach
Whether you are motivated by ethical, environmental, or health reasons, your decision to go vegan is a big win-win-win for everyone. Nevertheless, avoid taking a holier-than-thou attitude with your romantic partner. Sharing your journey is one thing, but when we become evangelical and tell our loved ones what to do, we lose their interest in our causes. Be a happy vegan, but don’t make other people miserable while they’re finding their way.
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2 Inspire by example
Setting a great example can be a fantastic form of advocacy. So, if you want your significant other to follow in your plant-based footsteps, it’s important to be a healthy and happy vegan. Nourish your body with nutrient-packed plant-based foods, like a hot and spicy Chimichurri Bowl and this perfect-for-fall super-simple pumpkin and parsnip soup. When we take care of ourselves, we inspire others. The best way to show someone the benefits of a lifestyle change is by demonstrating how well it works on yourself.
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3 Prepare delicious food
When we cut out the animal products and go vegan, we discover the wonderful abundance of plant-based foods available to us. The only thing better than diving in for ourselves is sharing all of that vegan goodness with the people we love, so make an effort to take over some of the food prep in your household. You could start by getting up early to surprise your partner with a homemade lunch to take with them to work. Then get creative and serve your plant-based interpretation of their favorite recipe for dinner. You could try this creamy mushroom fettuccine, for example, or maybe this beefy vegan beet burger. Not only will they appreciate your effort, but they’ll be tasting for themselves just how fantastic vegan food can be.
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4Arm yourself with facts
Another great way to convince your partner to go cruelty-free is to know your vegan facts. Whether you’re sharing information about the ills of animal agriculture, such as the conditions animals endure on factory farms, or why plant-based eating is more environmentally sustainable than an omnivorous diet, your brain is one of your greatest tools. Read the hottest new books about veganism and watch all of the documentaries (check out our list of the best ones here!). The goal is not to bombard your partner with your knowledge of veganism (see tip #1), but to be prepared if they ask you about it. Be ready to share what you know when your partner comes to you with their first curious questions, such as “Why shouldn’t I eat cheese?” and “Where would I get my protein?” You’ll show how legit your choice is by being able to quote concrete examples in any conversation.
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5 Support every little step
Once your partner is curious and voices their interest in going plant-based, you may opt to support a kaizen (Japanese for “good change”) approach. This philosophy values step-by-step improvements, rather than one great dramatic change. Some partners will dive into veganism, and some will start by eating a bit more plant-based here and there on their quest to total veganism. Though our dream may be for our partner to instantly transform into a plant-based powerhouse, for many, the change takes time. Have compassion and patience as you support your partner in going through this change. Not only will your lifestyle differences no longer be a point of contention, but your veganism will become a building block in your loving relationship.
Isabelle Steichen is the founder of The Plantiful Podcast.
