Is it easier to be a vegetarian in the Northeast?
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Joined
·
103 Posts
I have no idea. It's not like I've really been anywhere else. And I don't go around announcing my diet to the world either, so it doesn't come up that often. Hmm, maybe I don't bring it up because I hate getting stupid questions about my diet. But in any case, once I tell someone why I'm veg (meat/dairy free btw), they don't try to change my mind. But then again, I'm not your typical veg. My reasons for not eating it are completely different from your average vegan/vegetarian.
Joined
·
175 Posts
In SE Mass where I grew up, people just write you off as weird. My family still sees it this way after almost 20 years. Western Mass was very accepting. More so than anywhere else I've lived (WY, TX, CO, and GA). Though for restaurants and grocery stores with more vegetarian foods, CO has the largest selection.
I think it depends more on the mindset of the residents than on the actual location. Certain parts of SoFla were veg-friendlier than others. Now we're living in the 'crunchiest' town in NC (Asheville) and it doesn't get more veg friendly than this town!
Joined
·
11,277 Posts
Where we live it's relatively easy to find veg-friendly places like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and our local whole foods store, plus there are some really tasty veg restaurants out there. I am not a strict veg but I try to follow a pescatarian approach to eating, mostly for health reasons, and I think since I started this I have become more aware of what's around me. I've met a lot of people here who are veg or vegan.<br><br>
Meri, what do you think?
Meri, what do you think?
Joined
·
15,296 Posts
i think it is somewhat easy to buy vegetarian foods in PA. A lot of restaurants do not have vegetarian options and there were WAYYYY more vegetarian restaurants in Massachusetts and much better natural food stores. I mail order a lot of items that i cannot find in any stores.<br><br>
When we were in Wyoming, there was a great market in Driggs, ID that had a ton of vegetarian food items and when visiting Arizona, there was a really nice market, like a super duper sized Whole Foods, but better!! Nothing like that here. As long as i have fresh, organic produce i am happy.
When we were in Wyoming, there was a great market in Driggs, ID that had a ton of vegetarian food items and when visiting Arizona, there was a really nice market, like a super duper sized Whole Foods, but better!! Nothing like that here. As long as i have fresh, organic produce i am happy.
Joined
·
18 Posts
Horray for PA!!!<br><br>
Ice Cream I think it's easier to be a veggie near/in major metropolises where you have a wider variety of cultures, lifestyles, and food available to you. Since in the great NE we have a DC, Phila, and NYC in all fairly close distance we have true melting pot of cultures so we tend to be more accepting of many things.
Ice Cream I think it's easier to be a veggie near/in major metropolises where you have a wider variety of cultures, lifestyles, and food available to you. Since in the great NE we have a DC, Phila, and NYC in all fairly close distance we have true melting pot of cultures so we tend to be more accepting of many things.
Yup, I thiknk ShanHas has it right. In Philly I had no trouble, but in Lewistown dinner is limited to Subway or Wendy's baked potatoes. In CT there are many cities that I've found to be veg friendly, but Waterbury, for instance, was not one of them (at least not the last time I was there).
Maybe it's my impression since I work at a very liberal college, and it seems like half the students are vegans. Every meal in the dining hall has to include vegan options. I have never been questioned about my diet, that I can remember.
Joined
·
11,277 Posts
That's great that your school does this, IC. Where I went in Philly, the cafeteria was not much better than our high school one. The salad bar was minimal, most options were greasy fried crap, maybe one fresh vegetable daily. When I went back for grad school I snuck in one night at dinner, things have changed somewhat. They're not great, but I can see them making more of an effort than they did back in the 90's.
Joined
·
21,932 Posts
I had no problem whatsoever being a vegetarian in the south as long as I didn't go into "homestyle southern cooking" restaurants. Which is pretty obvious.<br><br>
No one questioned my choices (my meat eating friends never commented unless vegetarianism was pushed in their faces as being superior inherently, other than good natured ribbing), vegetarian foods and options are readily available. My school made vegetarian options when they found I was vegetarian despite there being few options. My parents didn't question my decision. Stores are jam packed with even premade choices, not to mention adequate ingredients.<br><br>
I find it very accepted down here in GA.
No one questioned my choices (my meat eating friends never commented unless vegetarianism was pushed in their faces as being superior inherently, other than good natured ribbing), vegetarian foods and options are readily available. My school made vegetarian options when they found I was vegetarian despite there being few options. My parents didn't question my decision. Stores are jam packed with even premade choices, not to mention adequate ingredients.<br><br>
I find it very accepted down here in GA.
Joined
·
175 Posts
Even being at UMass in the late 80's it was available there. I had just started to make the switch before moving to W. Mass. and thought I was in Heaven when I arrived.<br><br>
I do miss CO in some ways with Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Vitamin Cottage everywhere. I think we had 6 or so within 15 min.
I do miss CO in some ways with Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Vitamin Cottage everywhere. I think we had 6 or so within 15 min.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
