Everyone should have the freedom to eat (or not eat!) whatever they want in life.
Vegans, for instance, don’t have animal products of any kind — meat, dairy, and even things like honey are out of bounds. Their reasons for this are completely understandable and respectable, of course. However, the problem is that many vegans develop a self-righteous attitude that rubs the people around them the wrong way. Here are some of the most annoying things that come out of their mouths.
1. “How can you eat that? Don’t you know how it’s made?”
This question often comes from genuine concern, but it can feel like a judgement. Food choices are incredibly personal, shaped by culture, experience, and sometimes even necessity. It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey with food is different. Rather than creating a conversation, this can shut one down.
2. “I can’t believe you’re still eating meat in 2024.”
Saying this suggests that meat-eaters are somehow stuck in the past or morally out of touch. No one likes to be made to feel like they’re behind the times. Encouraging people to consider plant-based eating is cool, but doing so by making people feel bad? Not so much. It often backfires and just creates tension.
3. “You’d be so much healthier if you went vegan.”
Source: Unsplash Yes, plant-based diets can be super healthy, but this blanket statement ignores the fact that health is way more complex than just what you eat. Some people thrive on a vegan diet, while others may struggle with certain nutrients. It’s all about balance and what works for each individual body. Plus, a lot of vegans live on absolute garbage convenience/highly processed foods — not exactly fruits, vegetables, and seeds.
4. “I’m vegan, by the way.”
Mentioning your veganism is totally fine, but when it’s shoehorned into every conversation, it can come off as preachy or like you’re wanting validation. Veganism is a lifestyle, but it’s not a personality trait. We all want to share what we’re passionate about, but timing matters.
5. “I could never date a non-vegan.”
It’s perfectly valid to have relationship preferences, but saying this upfront can sound exclusionary and a bit harsh. Dietary preferences are important, but they’re not the only thing that makes a relationship work. After all, love is more about connection than what’s on the dinner plate.
6. “Don’t you care about animals?”
This kind of question assumes that non-vegans are indifferent or even cruel, which often isn’t the case. Many people care deeply about animals but approach ethics and diet differently. Accusations like this tend to build walls, not bridges, in meaningful conversations.
7. “That meal is basically just dead body parts.”
Graphic descriptions like this are meant to shock, but they rarely lead to productive conversation. Everyone has their own relationship with food, and reducing someone’s meal to a gory image just feels disrespectful. It’s hard to win someone over when you’re making them lose their appetite.
8. “You can’t be an environmentalist if you eat meat.”
Animal agriculture does have a big environmental impact, but this statement oversimplifies things. People contribute to environmental efforts in all kinds of ways, and dismissing someone’s entire lifestyle based on diet alone ignores the broader picture. We all need to be allies in this fight, not gatekeepers.
9. “I’m sure there’s nothing for me to eat here.”
Insisting on this before even checking the menu can come off as high-maintenance, especially if your friends or hosts have gone out of their way to find a place that accommodates you. It’s fine to have dietary restrictions, but patience and flexibility go a long way in social situations.
10. “My dog is vegan too, and he’s thriving!”
Veganism for pets is a hotly debated topic, and bringing it up can stir up a lot of passionate opinions. While you might be proud of your dog’s diet, people might feel concern for the animal’s welfare. It’s a tricky subject that can quickly turn into a heated debate.
11. “I don’t understand how anyone can still consume dairy.”
People often say this out of disbelief, but it can easily come off as judgmental. Dairy is a staple in many cultures and diets, and for some people, it’s not as simple as cutting it out. Conversations around dietary change need to leave room for empathy and understanding.
12. “Being vegan is so easy, I don’t know why everyone doesn’t do it.”
For some, veganism is a breeze. For others, it’s not that simple. Factors like access, budget, and health conditions make switching to a vegan lifestyle harder than it may seem. Dismissing these challenges doesn’t help the cause—it can make it seem out of touch with real life.
13. “Did you know that meat is classified as a carcinogen?”
There are studies that link processed meat to cancer, but throwing out this fact as if it’s the end of the discussion oversimplifies the issue. Nutrition is complicated, and scaring people into changing their diet rarely works. Fear-based tactics aren’t exactly motivating.
14. “I used to eat meat, but then I educated myself.”
This is one of the more condescending things you can say because it implies that anyone who eats meat is just uninformed. Many meat-eaters are well aware of the ethical, health, and environmental arguments for veganism but have chosen a different path for valid reasons.
15. “I’m not a preachy vegan, but…”
Any time someone starts with “I’m not preachy, but…” you can bet that something preachy is about to follow. It feels disingenuous and can make people tune out whatever point you’re about to make. If you’ve got something important to say, just say it—no need for disclaimers.
16. “You’ll probably go vegan eventually, everyone does.”
This comes off as presumptuous and a bit smug (not to mention totally untrue). People have different reasons for the way they eat, and assuming that everyone will eventually come around to your way of thinking discounts those differences. Instead of predicting the future, maybe focus on the present and respect where others are right now.
