12 Things Every Grown-Ass Man Does For His Vegetarian Partner

If you’re the type of guy who thinks eating a lettuce leaf on a burger counts as getting sufficient veggies, you’ll probably start changing your tune for your veggie-loving partner. Start by being open to trying out some of her meals. Kale chips? Yeah, okay, we can start there. Maybe after a while, you’ll start branching out and trying some endive and fennel, portobellos and zucchini; the possibilities are endless.

If you’re taking a vegetarian out on a date, don’t be a jerk and take her to a steakhouse, where their veggie options only include small garnishes. Instead, go online and find places that are either fully vegetarian or at least serve some vegetarian-friendly meals (check out HappyCow to find vegetarian-friendly restaurants). If you’re still at a loss, Indian food and various Asian cuisine tends to be fairly veg-friendly. Or, if you’re searching for more standard American fare, you usually can’t go wrong with a veggie burger.

When not going out to dinner, a mature partner will always make sure that there is something in the house for their vegetarian significant other. Sure, this can sometimes mean a frozen Amy’s Kitchen dinner or some take-out from the local Thai place, but hey, that’s okay! We would much rather have a partner that at least keeps us in mind when planning dinner, than one who points us to the pantry and says we can find something without meat ourselves.

They say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and it couldn’t be truer for a vegetarian. After all, we are constantly struggling as lazy vegetarians, frequently subsisting on pizza and mac & cheese alone. If you’re looking to be the hero in the relationship, why not learn how to whip up some truly satisfying vegetarian dinners for our family? Trust me, if you become a whiz at making vegetarian curries, we will thank you accordingly.

If there’s one thing most vegetarians hate, it’s having to explain to people that we don’t eat meat. For some reason, people say ridiculous stuff when they know you’re vegetarian. It’s like they can’t help themselves. Suddenly, they need to know why you don’t eat meat and have to give you pitiful looks because you don’t think meatloaf or lobster are great, then proceed to tease you about it. If you want to save your partner from all this, you’ll just explain to others that this is your partner’s choice and save the opinions for someone who cares (translation: no one).

Be wise, not a wise-ass. The vegetarian mom in your life has already heard all the tasteless jokes about vegetarians. She certainly doesn’t need to hear it from her significant other. Even light teasing is obnoxious, especially when you’re hungry and about to enjoy your meal. No, we don’t want to hear (nor care) that you think plants are suffering the way farm-factory cows and chickens are. Do you feel how hard we are rolling our eyes here?

Most long-term omnivorous husbands and boyfriends already know the drill. Someone at some point is going to want to tease your significant other about her eating habits. It’s your job to stop them in their tracks. Deflect, distract, do whatever it takes to steer the conversation in another direction, because really and truly, you should never be okay with someone shaming your partner. For anything.

It’s so bizarre how most meat-eaters just figure their kids will grow up eating meat too, even if they’re with someone vegetarian or vegan. But although some vegans and vegetarians raise carnivorous kids, others choose not to. Or, of course, they strike up something of a compromise, where meat is only consumed outside the house. Either way, don’t be a jerk and assume or act as though it’s your way or the highway. Grown-ass men know better.

Bok choy. Spinach. Tofu. Brazil Nuts. Blackstrap molasses. These are all healthy, vegetarian-friendly breastfeeding power foods that grown-ass men will want to stock up on for the breastfeeding, plant-based mama in their home. After all, it’s important to keep a breastfeeding, vegetarian mama healthy for both herself and your baby.

Even if your vegetarian partner is not breastfeeding, it’s still thoughtful to keep some veg-friendly snacks in your pantry. Easy choices like peanut butter, jelly, tortilla chips, salsa, hummus, pita bread, ranch dip, and fresh cruciferous veggies are essential to every vegetarian household. Grown-ass men might want who want to kick it up a notch can hit up a Trader Joe’s for some edamame hummus and cookie butter or check out their local farmer’s market for unique snacks like granola or home-made pretzels.

It’s known that a vegetarian diet might run you low on certain nutrients (but really, any diet can do that if you don’t keep it fairly balanced). That said, grown-ass dudes will hit the vitamin shop for some supplements for their boo to keep them happy and healthy. Some good options are Vitamin D, Omega-3s, Calcium, and a quality B-complex.

No vegetarian wants to hear this. None. Not one. Society is constantly bombarding us with these messages. Every time we see a damn commercial or go to a grocery store or sit in a restaurant, there are people telling us that meat is amazing. We don’t care. And our mature partners will totally get that.