Non-Vegan in a Vegan Workplace

[gorillabay]

Hello,
I am new here and am not a vegan but I hope I may find some help here. My girlfriend, also not vegan, just started a job that does not permit any animal products - food or otherwise - on the premises. So far she has been well-received there and would like to get established. She is finding lunch a challenge, however. There is a little market across the street at which she can eat, but she only has a half-hour total. She doesn't mind pb&j, pasta, salads, etc. but she feels this may get old after awhile and toppings like cheese are not an option. She has said she has looked at stores and finds the substitute products to be either pricey or unappealing. If you have advice as to how to go about this, please reply.

 

[Second Summer]

Hi @gorillabay - that sounds like an interesting workplace

Does she have access to a refrigerator at her workplace? Also, would you mind sharing which country you're in? Your mention of pb&j and your location which sounds like a US postcode makes me think you live in the USA, but I can't be sure ...!

What does her co-workers eat?

If you need inspiration, there are vegan food magazines, web sites and social media channels that specialise in that sort of thing.

There are many options - I'm not sure where to start! Yes, you can have bread with toppings - such as peanut butter, cashew butter, olive tapenade. Has she tried vegan cream cheeses?

You can also make wraps with various fillings, such as hummus maybe with falafel and bell peppers and lettuce. Or beans, guacamole and so on. Vegan mayo is a thing some places.

 

[shyvas]

That's an unusual workplace and to my mind a very pleasant one. I've only ever heard of employees not being allowed to consume animal products in the work place but it was at a vegan restaurant.

What kind of lunches does your gf usually eat ? Does she always buy lunch or does she bring her own lunch box. Perhaps we can help
her veganise her usual food .

 

[Lou]

You have already gotten some good advice and I'm sure the forum members will soon be chiming in with lots more.

However, here is the BEST ADVICE You Will Get Today.

She needs to take her concerns, issues, and questions to her workmates. Preferably at lunch in the break room.

If you want to make friends with a vegan the fastest way to do that is to ask them about their lunch.
Even a, "that looks good, what is it?" is a gold star ice breaker.

Once given a taste, asking for a recipe is worth like 10 points on the social scale.

Typically once given a chance a vegan won't STOP talking about food. At this forum, our biggest number of messages are all about food.

Not only will she get tons of advice, recipes, recommendations, tips, tricks, and lists, I wouldn't be surprised if book loans, tastings, and invitations to share meals follow suit.

Also if there are other nonvegans there, talking to them also will get some tips and tricks. and commiserating about all the restrictions on lunch should earn some brownie points too.

 

[Emma JC]

⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆

what he said!! lol

...and welcome to the forum - we hope you stick around and consider the advantages of a vegan lifestyle, for your health, for the sake of the animals and for the sake of our environment

Emma JC

 

[TofuRobot]

The thing that is good about this is that there is always food that everyone can eat! If you want cheese with your lunches, maybe just bring some and keep it in the fridge? Or better, try some of the awesome vegan cheeses. It's pretty much guaranteed your health will be better for the shift in diet anyway. Good luck and welcome to the group!

 

[shyvas]

The thing that is good about this is that there is always food that everyone can eat! If you want cheese with your lunches, maybe just bring some and keep it in the fridge? Or better, try some of the awesome vegan cheeses. It's pretty much guaranteed your health will be better for the shift in diet anyway. Good luck and welcome to the group!

I don't think that cheese is permitted on the work premises.

 

[TofuRobot]

I don't think that cheese is permitted on the work premises.

OK... A couple of suggestions: Violife, Follow Your Heart, Myokos, and Kite Hill. Stay away from Daiya, it's gross.

 

[shyvas]

OK... A couple of suggestions: Violife, Follow Your Heart, Myokos, and Kite Hill. Stay away from Daiya, it's gross.

Totally agree. Daiya tastes nothing like the real thing.