I get a lot of questions about the foods I eat in real life. Mainly out of concern, others don’t “get” that a gluten free vegan(ish) diet can possibly be nourishing for people. When I mention I’m gluten free, people give me a look of concern, followed by a pat on the back or an “oh you poor thing… that’s too bad”.
Then when I drop the bomb that I am also a vegetarian, all Hell breaks loose. People immediately get visions of me chomping on veggie sticks and apple slices crying silently in a corner because I can’t eat anything that could possibly satiate me.
Can I just say that I actually like the way I eat? For the record, I feel more nourished and satisfied, with more energy than I possibly have before? I never have a sluggish afternoon after a horrid sugar crash, and well, I’m happy!
However, some people just don’t understand this. The inevitable question must be asked: “So, you don’t eat protein then? How in the world do you get protein?”
Yes, World. I do eat protein — I eat a lot of protein. It is astonishing to think that protein can be found in more than meat and animal products, but it can be done. Actually, it can be done easily.
Exhibit A: My Breakfast.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Pancakes
- 1/4 cup gluten free flour mix
- 1 packet amazing grass (chocolate)
- 1 tbsp. peanut flour
- sprinkle of baking soda
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp. flax + 3 tbsp water)
- 2 tbsp. pumpkin
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- sprinkle of cinnamon
Directions: Mix all dry ingredients together (flours, baking soda, amazing grass) and then fold in the wet ingredients (pumpkin, flax egg, almond milk). Heat a skillet to medium high heat and pour 4 equal sized portions of batter onto the skillet. heat for 2-3 minutes, flip and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
When paired with my favorite new toppings — grilled banana and peanut butter/almond milk sauce — this was by far the best breakfast I ate all week. It had a hint of chocolate, the creaminess of banana, and a peanut butter glaze. What’s not to love?
It’s protein content also put every cold cereal to shame.
My breakfast alone contained a whopping 25 grams of protein this morning. Compared to the average bowl of cereal, I’d say these pancakes have it beat.
With the rest of the foods I eat on a pretty daily basis, my protein quota is covered. Let’s take today for instance.
Exhibit B:
- peanuts — 9 grams
- almonds — 8 grams
- hummus — 5 grams (with the amount I eat!)
- quinoa — 8 grams
- chickpeas — 6 grams
- nutritional yeast — 8 grams
Obviously those foods are just a sample (and not all) of what I ate today. I chose the foods highest in their protein content just for the sake of the argument. If I were to listen to the FDA (which I don’t, by the way), I would only need to consume 45-60 grams of protein per day. By the looks of it, I think I’ve hit my quota, wouldn’t you agree?
(Steps off Soap Box)
Question: Do others ever criticize you for your dietary choices? How do you get your protein? 
{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }
haha i just don’t like when people ask, “you’re eating a salad…again? but you’re so little?” WTF!
It’s funny because I get those same reactions but then people ALWAYS tell me how good I eat. Hmmm, what’s the disconnect here?
loved this! it’s been a while since i’ve gotten skeptical looks or questions, but i used to feel like people thought i was the poor, deprived child, too. uhhh, i’m not missing anything, i’m actually quite happy, thank you! haha. luckily, now my co-workers and family are actually pretty interested in what i eat. i just hate when they ask what i have and my answer is “tofu,” after making fun of it for so long
I heart exhibit B =) Go Chelsey!
I had someone tell me I don’t eat enough. Which hurt. b/c I eat exactly enough for my daily needs and even more than my needs when something is super delicious =) It’s hard to judge others accurately… in fact, it’s darn near impossible — so I advocate no judgement! <3 Keep up the good work girl!
My mom thinks my love for fresh fruits and veggies and WW bread over fast food is a little alarming. She doesn’t think it’s normal for someone my age…but to me, once you start experimenting w/ healthy foods, it’s hard to go back to nasty Burger King “burgers.” That’s not to say that I don’t love cake, cookies and fries, but on a daily basis, I’d rather have some bnut squash and banana oats
And it’s so sad how few people know that there are other ways to get protein outside of meat. Legumes + wheat = complete protein, etc. etc. It’s also sad how protein focused our society is - yes, it’s very important, but there are other vitamins and minerals our body needs, too!!
As a fellow gluten free vegan (ish) girl, thank you for this post. I have spent many years trying to defend my diet and lifestyle choices. I love to share my knowledge with those who are generally interested, however for those who are simply being judgemental, I respectfully remind them to spend more time worrying about what they choose to put in their bodies rather than what I choose to consume. Ps. those pancakes look delicious!
Thanks for the pancake compliment. And honestly, I don’t even defend myself with most people anymore. I just tell them to “not worry - I get what I need”. In fact, today my aunt (who isn’t the the most experimental eater) had a bite of my cheesy chickpea and quinoa dish and loved it! She deemed it needed “salt” but she liked it.
I get that all the freaking time! It’s SO annoying. I get way more protein (and vitamins, and minerals. and fiber) than typical “meat eaters”. My goodness!
I cannot agree with you more - when I tell people I’m a vegetarian they look at me like I am crazy. Last year I told my grandma I was a vegetarian and she was like, “You know, meat is very good for your body.” I guess people just don’t understand…
Many more things other than meat are good for your body too!
YES!!! All. The. Time. I guess some people make comments out of concern (unnecessarily) but for the most part I’m thinking, I would NEVER comment on someone else’s food choices- it’s none of my business!! So why are my choices their business? I don’t force my choices on anyone else, so I don’t feel the need for anyone else’s comments. (can you tell this is a subject that kind of gets me worked up also? lol)
I’m not a vegetarian, but I don’t eat a lot of meat- I get protein from nuts, beans, hummus, Greek yogurt and, my favorite, quinoa!!
People quite often wonder why I don’t eat meat.
I had this exact conversation with my brother this weekend. He was adamant that there was “no way I could be getting the protein that I need.” After a while I do grow a bit weary of always feeling like I have to defend myself.
You’re right - after a while it is pretty tiring always defending yourself to others!
ya for sure! it’s quite annoying…i get “don’t you just crave meat?” I say, no i dont crave flesh and blood.
Gonna be honest, I struggle sometimes with getting enough protein particularly since I’m trying to lessen my dairy consumption… And I’m in a dorm. (Which is the most limiting factor, actually… if I could suck it up and buy things like nooch I’d probably be golden!)
But it definitely isn’t that hard to do if you’re eating enough! People make fun of me for eating like a rabbit because I’m fairly obsessed with vegetables, and tell me there’s no way I could be healthy on a vegetarian diet… but clearly they’re wrong.
haha.
Those pancakes look amazing by the way. I want.
haha, I love this post! People are always astounded when they find out I’m vegan. Then, of course, they ask where I get my protein. My fav protein sources are pretty much the ones you listed. I love being vegan though! I feel so much better and happier and it’s so frustrating when people tell me that it’s not as healthy as being an omni. ugh. :p
I get the protein question all the time because I’m a vegetarian, but sometimes, I think I eat more protein than some family members asking me. I also get the “aren’t you hungry?” and “what do you eat?” questions, then I list some foods, and they just stare at me with confused looks of what chickpeas are.
I sometimes think I do too because I eat way more balanced than the majority!
Yeahhhh, girl. Show those haters who’s boss
Those pancakes look delicious, too! AND full of protein?! Win and win 
Are you kidding me with those delicious pancakes?!! Wow!!
I applaud your dietary choices!! I need to get off my duff and cook more!
DROOLING. Can I make this as a midnight snack?! I get protein through eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts, and peanut flour among other things!
Ohhh I’ve felt this way SO many times! People just do not understand that protein comes in other forms besides meat… it’s sad, really! I’m glad there’s people like you who are willing to actually explain it to them…
Well, I hardly ever explain it to others anymore because in real life I get super annoyed and can’t gather my thoughts in enough time to come up with a response.
Love the post! I’ve been trying to cut back on meat, but being GF and allergic to soy (no tofu for this girl), I’ve been struggling with protein rich choices. I eat lots of nuts and nut butters so I’m probably doing better than I think.
Recipe looks delish-will have to try it soon!
Holly, my mom is also GF with a soy intolerance! She is doing just fine!
Ugh, I get so much flack from my family about not eating meat daily. Just yesterday my sister asked if I was sure I’m eating enough protein. Yes, I’m sure!
Girl I am with you! i’m a vegan and gluten free, and so many people are the exact way you described! Powa to us:)
Slash I get my protein from the same sources you listed, plus other grains and beans as well as my FAVORITE protein powder from Vega:) It’s yumlicious!
I have been drinking the Vega Shake n Go smoothies as morning snacks lately. Not the best with just water, but it will do!
I hate having to defend my diet as well. While I am no vegetarian, I had to face similar situations when I began eating clean. I constantly have to defend my choice not to consume processed foods or white sugar daily. Even with the school year being half over many of my colleagues still offer me candies, cocokies, etc. You would think that by now they would know better! Kudos to you!
This frustrates me. I also get so annoyed about situations such as the one you have listed Helen. I don’t say anything about the processed, refined foods others are eating, so why should they say something to me?
I get the protein question a lot. And I’m not even vegetarian- I just don’t eat meat every day! People refuse to understand that protein can be found it pretty much anything that is semi-healthy for you. It’s always an annoying conversation that ends in them still not believing me. Whatev.
haha - that made me laugh. If I were to be existing soley off of twinkies every day, I think there might be a problem!
I feel ya! that peanut flour is great for protein, woohoo! And I think I eat about a jar of hummus a day.
I admire the way you eat! I think that the meals that you come up with are awesome!
I’m going to have to try your pancakes soon! they look amazing!
I LOVE THIS POST! I feel like i have this argument with people all the time its soooooo annoying haha
I am not vegan or gluten intolerant but I do eat a primarily plant based diet (all raw this month) and I get looked at like I’m crazy. And yet my friends and family will ask my advice when it suits them. I think it’s a given though. We truly are what we eat and I think people are either intrigued, suspicious or just plain jealous of the choices that vegans/veggietarians make because it truly makes them *them*
Seriously…why do people think protein is some crazy hard to get thing? Protein is not hard to get enough of. Most of us eat waaaaaay more than we need.
Really good post Chelsey! I was actually just reading The Kind Diet and Alicia Silverstone makes this point exactly. She says, “…it’s downright difficult in our culture to develop a protein deficiency. The clinical term for the disease of protein deficiency is kwashiorkor- ever heard of it? Me neither! Doesn’t that tell you something?”.
It’s a really good book! It’s given me some creative food ideas as a vegetarian, dabbling in vegan eating.
TOTALLY feel you. My parents always tell me I can’t get iron and protein being a vegetarian, but I bet I get way more than they do and in a much healthier and nutrient dense form.
Today I told my mom I was going to be vegan (in a state of post-kind diet reading) and she said “but how will you get calcium”. And then she remember how many leafy greens I eat. And that my soy milk has vitamin D.
It’s usually the people that don’t know the contents of their food that claim certain diets can’t be healthy or satisfying. Just gotta educate yourself!
This year when I made the commitment to be vegetarian and be more aware of the foods I put into my body, many of my family members scoffed at me. My dad made fun of me in a playful way when I would cook my dinners but then pick at it when I wasn’t looking. He even made a comment at one point how he was proud of me for taking good care of myself and that the food was actually pretty good! Well yes, Dad, it is!
I have been looking to you for inspiration and motivation to keep this new lifestyle up, but so far, I am quite pleased with my own inspiration! (As a fellow teacher (well, pre-service) and a cooking lover, I relate to a lot of your posts!)
People just always comment how much I eat salad, which is sometimes the only thing I can eat in the sorority house.
Oh, you won an award on my blog! http://givemethealmondbutter.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/oh-so-stylish-blogger/
I get at least one e-mail or comment a day stating that I don’t get enough protein or I don’t eat enough, etc etc. It can be annoying, but I listen to my body and I know what it wants!
AMEN! I get questioned all the time. and like “oh you poor thing you can’t eat anything!” I’m llike reallyyy? I eat better food than you for a fact! While your muchin on your poptarts I’ll eat my nice peanut butter oats with coconut and banana and yummy, decadent, homemade, healthy foods!!
oh yes! having a background with ED, my parents always freak out when I tell them that I am trying out vegan again! They think it is just an excuse for me on cutting back calories! In fact I eat about twice as much calories now compared to back in the days when I still ate meat and dairy products. Being vegan I feel like everything I eat nourishes my body so I don’t have to control it anymore and therefore it’s ok for me to eat it until I’m full! I get my proteins from eating beans, chickpeas and nuts…oh and tofu!
oh yes girl! my fam always worries about my protein intake since i RARELY eat meat and if i do its only fish… and im like.. HELLLOOOOOO there are SO Many foods out there with heck loads of protein..!
I am seriously drooling over those pancakes…WHY isn’t peanut flour sold here in the UK?!?!?! Madness!!
I get asked how I get me protein ALL the time! For me it’s easy: I’m a hummus fanatic!
You can buy it on Amazon now! It’s more expensive, but it’s there!
I eat meat and gluten, so I can’t totally relate, but I definitely get comments about how I eat. My parents constantly tell me I don’t get enough fat in my diet, but between avocados, fish, nut butters, nuts and seeds, I most definitely get MORE than enough. It’s so irritating how people feel the need to judge and comment on other peoples’ diets. It’s none of their business!
By viewing the stuff you eat all the time, I’d say you’re doing JUST fine in the fats department! Sheesh!
Food is such a divisive issue! I almost refuse to talk with anyone about the way I eat, because there’s so much judgement. I think the way your body feels is the best indicator of proper nutrition. Since no one else can adequately gage how your body feels, I’d let the criticism just roll off. Silly people.
It sure is. I got so mad one day when someone told me my thyroid disease would go away if I “just ate some bacon”. I’m sorry, what does my thyroid issues and eating meat have ANYTHING to do with each other?!
Being brand new to a vegan(ish) (I like that…) diet, I am having to explain it a lot to family and friends. They haven’t really criticized much but they do question whether I’ll be able to keep it up, I’m not the best cook!!!!
Think simplicity - honestly, I’m not the “best cook” either. I use simple ingredients!
I get a ton of protein, even as a vegetarian! People aren’t aware of the protein in so many vegetarian sources, it seems.
Felt so hopeless looking for answers to my qeutisnos…until now.
I love it when people first learn I can’t eat wheat and then they look at me like I must be a starving monkey. It gives me a chance to show just how much food there is out there that’s naturally gluten-free and how tasty it can be.
amen.
1. Your breakfast looks delicious! I’m not a vegan but I’d be all over that.
2. Yeah sometimes I get flak about not eating dairy - the worry of me not getting enough calcium is the talk every time.
I can’t imagine being both gluten-free & vegetarian what kinds of responses you must get from people! I’ve found its a struggle just to try to “eat healthy” in general (and I eat both gluten & meat). It’s a work in progress, but I find people can sometimes be semi-belittling about it. But that’s their problem & I just keep doing what I do!
I too get alot of blank stares if I say anything about eating GF/Vegan..so, since I am tired of defending myself from the “were any animals harmed in the making of your lunch today-hahahaha” jokes -I have just started to say that I am working on changing my diet for health reasons. Most people won’t mock me for that…
Yum!
I totally get it man, I feel like I am ALWAYS being told how much I’m missing out on red meat or sweats, or whatever. Most people just don’t understand that everyone has different tastes.
And those pancakes look grrrreat to me!
I tagged you for the stylish blogger award.
<3
Adina
Great post! I’m lactose intolerant and get criticized because I refuse to take Lactaid or any of those fake products that are supposed to help people consumer dairy. My response is always, “If my body doesn’t want dairy products, there is a reason, and I am not going to force it.” It usually shuts people up.
That’s what my dad says “can’t you take pills for that?” well, yes… but my body doesn’t want it!
Love this post! When i told my husband I won’t be eating meat any longer, his response: how will you get protein? Seriously? His parents have the same meal every.single.night and he thinks it’s the only way to eat: meat (lots of meat), vegetables (soaked in butter), glass of milk. Makes me want to vomit.
Jen
LOOOOOOVE THIS POST!! I’ve gotten the “concerned” emails too, and while I’ve tried to explain it in the past, now I just shrug and realize that I know I’m happy and healthy. That’s all that matters. I just hope that no one made you feel like you had to defend yourself, because you absolutely don’t- I think you eat perfectly for YOU!!
No, it was just on my mind when I made my breakfast this morning. I never total up recipes to check calories and nutrients but I was curious during breakfast, so I tallied it all up on Sparks Recipe Calculator. I was kind of astounded. 20% of my reccomended iron too!
LOVE this!
I eat meat, but rarely because I just dont like it that much, and I get SO many comments. I find it amazing that so many people seem to look down on my healthier choices. It really makes no sense.
I don’t get questioned about protein, but I definitely get a low of “Eww, what is that?” or “What are you eating?” It is one of my biggest pet peeves. I don’t sit there and say, “Eww are you actually eating a chicken?” I just think it is so rude to criticize someone else’s food while they are eating it.
Hahaha! Kelsey this cracked me up!
So true - people always say I eat weird stuff but my colleague eats Coco Pops for breakfast. No further questions, M’Lud!
My favorite is when people say “omg, why don’t you eat?” and what they mean is “how do you maintain such a healthy diet when all I want to eat is crap?!” The funniest part is I probably eat more than they do. It amazes me how people can be so critical when they have no idea what they are talking about!
People always feel sorry for me when I say I’ve got coeliac disease; it’s always “poor you”, “that’s awful”-type comments. When I tell them that, apart from bread occasionally, if I was suddenly miraculously “cured” I’d eat 99.9% the same as I do now, they look completely disbelieving. But it’s so true. I’m almost glad to have had my eyes opened to the possibilities there are; my diet’s much better now than it ever was before I was diagnosed.
And those looks are nothing to those I got at work today when I said I’d had a green monster for breakfast - and explained what was in it!
*giggle* But you eat chicken, right?
I’ve heard them all…I used to be vegan at one point now I am a pescatarian.
I get my protein from fish and egg white and nuts, almond milk and recently have been eating my weight in quinuo. Oh, for the love of quinoa.
I also eat yogurt and cheese occasionally.
You hould tell people that gorilla are vegan…and they don’t worry about a gorilla’ protein, do they?
Missy
Yesterday someone told me there “was chicken at the party so I could eat” ummmm what?
I’ve never tried a grilled banana. How did you grill it? It sounds delicious!
The link in this post leads you to a post purely devoted to how to grill a banana!
I get asked that every now and then. How is it that people STILL think you can only get protein from animal sources?
fresh leads will help me I want to start a business that will be marketing to home businesses I am looking at both sides good and bad thank you for your thoughts
Thank you for your article.Really thank you! Much obliged.
usually morning sickness and such happens at the very beginning of pregnancy. But some women don’t have any symptoms at all. Your best bet is to take a test and if its positive go to your gyno and confirm.