Whether it’s for improving your personal health, advocating for animal rights, or living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, more and more people are switching to a vegan lifestyle and diet. Still, only around 1% of the global population had committed to veganism by January 2021, so many individuals end up being the only vegans in their households.

While it may feel awkward at first, having the right attitude (and recipes) can make sharing the kitchen with your non-vegan housemates an enjoyable experience for all parties. From investing in your own ceramic cookware set to sharing vegan meals, here are five of the best practices for surviving in a non-vegan household.

• Get Creative and Cook Vegan Meals For Your Household

You can bring yourself and your non-vegan housemates closer by sharing a fully vegan meal at least one night a week. Instead of constantly cooking separate meals, find a vegan recipe that appeals to everyone’s taste buds and preferences.

Not only does a shared meal make for a more enjoyable dining experience, but it also gives you the perfect opportunity to show them that vegan meals can be so much more than boring salads and raw fruits and vegetables!  

• Create Your Own Vegan Space In The Kitchen

If you are worried about contamination from animal products in your shared kitchen, it’s worth creating a few vegan-only spaces. This might include having your own cabinet or shelf for vegan cuisine, as well as a section of the refrigerator that is free from meat, eggs, and dairy.

It could also make you feel better to have a ceramic cookware set that is only to be used for vegan dishes. Whatever the case may be, setting up boundaries and parameters in the shared space will ensure that everyone feels comfortable in the kitchen and avoids cross-contamination from animal products.

• Focus On Your Vegan Journey, Not A Crusade

Many individuals who choose to commit to a vegan lifestyle are passionate about their morals and values on the subject matter. While it might be tempting to try to convince your household to join you in veganism or educate them on the horrors of the animal agriculture industry, this may lead to tension or feelings of judgment over time. Focusing on your own vegan lifestyle and waiting for your household to bring questions to you first will lead to a more open and friendly dialogue.

• Recreate Popular Meat Dishes With Vegan Replacements

One of the best ways to make the most of living in a non-vegan household is to work with your housemates to recreate their favorite meat dishes with vegan substitutes for everyone to enjoy.

Whether that’s barbeque jackfruit sandwiches in lieu of pulled pork, pizza with vegan cheese and sausage, or a tofu scramble instead of an omelet made of eggs, there are many flavorful vegan alternatives. Playing with these recipes allows you to replicate the flavors of your household’s favorite dishes in a fun way. The possibilities for vegan dishes are truly endless! 

• Mutual Respect Is A Must For All Parties Involved 

Everybody’s dietary preferences deserve to be respected and valued in a household. No matter your differences in lifestyle, neither vegans nor non-vegans should ever feel ashamed or embarrassed to make the food that fuels them best in their own home. So, if you feel as if your household isn’t supportive of your lifestyle, don’t be afraid to speak up! 

By keeping these tips and tricks in mind, your time as a vegan living in a non-vegan household should be smooth sailing.