Even if your husband is a confirmed meat lover and you follow a strict vegetarian diet, your meals will have plenty of overlap. After all, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that all adults, omnivores and vegetarians alike, eat about 4 1/2 cups of vegetables and fruits per day. Also, many favorite dishes, from oatmeal with fruit to chocolate cake, are naturally vegetarian. With a little meal planning and mutual understanding, you and your spouse can harmoniously accommodate your new way of eating.
Swap Proteins
Many meals can be made either vegetarian or omnivore with a simple protein swap. For instance, your husband rounds out a meal of roasted squash, green beans and wild rice with a slice or two of meatloaf, while you add some pan-fried tofu. While it's more work to prepare two protein foods, the effort need not be onerous. For instance, tofu sautéed in olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper takes about 10 minutes. Consult cookbooks, such as "The Adaptable Feast" by Ivy Manning, to find recipes designed to yield both vegetarian and meaty versions of the same dish.
Revise Favorites
Most likely, you can tweak your household's favorite meat-containing dishes to be meat-free and just as delicious as before. Vegetarian lasagna is as gooey and rich as meat lasagna, and chili made with tempeh or texturized vegetable protein may be indistinguishable from meaty versions. Top a salad with grated cheese, croutons or toasted nuts instead of bacon bits for richness and crunch. If your spouse wants some meat on his plate, customization is a snap. He can top his veggie lasagna with meat sauce or sprinkle chopped bacon or chicken breast on his salad.
Make Undetectable Changes
If you're a strict vegetarian, you may want to avoid animal-derived byproducts such as gelatin and rennet. In most cases, products without these ingredients are just as good or superior. Some yogurts – usually ones with outlandish flavors and artificial sweeteners – contain gelatin, but most do not. Many cheeses are labeled "Contains no animal rennet." Cruelty-free toiletries, too, are clearly labeled and widely available. In soups and stews, vegetable broth stands in seamlessly for chicken broth. Your husband is not likely to notice or care if you favor these vegetarian products over non-vegetarian versions.
Be Low Key
Don't scrutinize your husband's eating habits or try to convince him to go vegetarian. Instead, be low key and easygoing about your dietary differences. Wow him with delicious vegetarian cooking and answer his questions about vegetarianism, but otherwise remain noncommittal. If you respect his dietary choices, he'll be likely to respect yours. If he criticizes your diet, don't allow yourself to be drawn into an argument. Calmly explain that vegetarianism is a good choice for you, and that you're confident you can both get what you want.
Visit Restaurants
Continue to eat at your favorite restaurants together. Some cuisines, such as Middle Eastern, Chinese, Japanese and Mexican, usually offer an array of choices for vegetarians and meat-eaters. Even steakhouses and barbecue joints frequently have salad bars and side dishes suitable for vegetarians. Take turns choosing where to eat, and when it's your turn, pick a restaurant with fare you will both enjoy.
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