7 things you should never say to someone who’s vegan (even if you think it’s funny) – VegOut

A few years ago, I went to dinner with a group of friends.

One of them ordered a vegan burger, and another immediately said, “Why bother? Just eat the real thing.”

Everyone laughed.

Except the vegan friend, who smiled awkwardly and changed the subject.

That moment stuck with me. Because here’s the thing, people often say they “respect” veganism, but their words sometimes tell a different story. Even if you mean no harm, the jokes and questions can sound dismissive, insensitive, or just plain tiring for someone who’s heard them a thousand times before.

So if you genuinely want to show respect (and avoid being that person), here are seven things you should never say to someone who’s vegan, even if you think it’s funny.

1. “But plants have feelings too!”

Let’s start with the classic one-liner that’s meant to be clever.

Whenever someone says this, I can’t help but imagine how exhausting it must be for vegans to hear it for the hundredth time. Even if it’s said as a joke, it comes off as dismissive of their values.

No one is claiming that living without harming anything is possible. Vegans simply make conscious choices to reduce unnecessary suffering where they can. That’s something worth respecting, not mocking.

Besides, as the Harvard Health Publishing website notes, people adopt plant-based diets for a host of reasons, health, environmental concerns and animal-welfare ethics.

If you really want a meaningful conversation, ask them what motivated their decision instead. You might learn something new.

2. “Don’t you miss real food?”

I’ve heard people ask this in a tone that’s half teasing, half serious, as if vegan food is just sad lettuce and tofu.

It’s not.

Walk into any modern vegan café, and you’ll find everything from creamy mushroom pastas to indulgent chocolate cakes. Vegan food isn’t about deprivation; it’s about reimagining comfort food in a way that aligns with one’s values.

A vegan friend once told me that her meals actually became more creative after she made the switch, she learned to use ingredients she’d never even heard of before. And honestly, she’s one of the best cooks I know.

So the next time you’re tempted to ask this, maybe ask for a recipe instead. You might end up adding something new to your meal rotation.

3. “I could never give up cheese.”

This is probably the most common response vegans hear, and while it might sound harmless, it subtly shifts the focus back to you.

When someone shares their dietary choice, it’s not an invitation for you to talk about what you could or couldn’t do. They’re not asking you to convert. They’re simply sharing what works for them.

It’s similar to when someone says they’ve stopped drinking alcohol, and the response is, “Oh, I could never do that.” That comment doesn’t move the conversation forward, it just builds a wall.

As nutritionist Simon Hill noted in his book The Proof is in the Plants, change doesn’t happen through shame or comparison, it happens through curiosity and respect.

So instead of saying what you couldn’t do, try asking what helped them make the transition. You might be surprised at how thoughtful the answer is.

4. “Where do you get your protein?”

There’s a running joke among vegans that this question should come printed on a T-shirt because they hear it that often.

It’s one of those comments that sounds like genuine curiosity but is often loaded with disbelief, as if vegans must be secretly struggling to survive on salads.

The truth? Plant-based protein sources are everywhere, lentils, beans, tofu, tempeh, quinoa, nuts, seeds, and even vegetables like broccoli and spinach. Athletes like Lewis Hamilton and Venus Williams are living proof that you can thrive physically on a vegan diet.

If you genuinely want to know more, that’s great, just frame the question differently. Try something like, “What are your favorite protein sources?” It’s the same question, but with curiosity instead of skepticism.

5. “Come on, one bite won’t kill you.”

This one hits differently, and not in a good way.

Pressuring someone to eat something that goes against their beliefs or health choices is never okay. Whether it’s meat, alcohol, or anything else, trying to convince someone to “just have a bite” is disrespectful.

It’s easy to forget that for many vegans, it’s not just about diet. It’s about ethics and integrity. You might see a plate of cheese fries. They see animal suffering.

When you mock or pressure them, you’re essentially asking them to compromise their values for your comfort.

I grew up in a culture where food was deeply tied to love and togetherness, refusing food felt rude. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that respecting someone’s boundaries is also an act of kindness.

You don’t have to understand every choice to honor it.

6. “You’re vegan? But you don’t look like one.”

Let’s unpack this one.

First, there’s no such thing as a “vegan look.” People often say this with good intentions, maybe they expected someone thinner, trendier, or wearing hemp clothes and Birkenstocks.

But it still reinforces a stereotype.

Veganism isn’t a personality type, it’s a lifestyle choice that anyone can make, regardless of how they look or dress. And commenting on someone’s appearance, no matter how innocent it sounds, can easily come across as judgmental.

I’ve had my fair share of people making assumptions based on how I look too. In Malaysia, I was “too Westernized.” In Dubai, I’m sometimes “too Asian.” So I get it, labels can feel limiting.

Let’s skip the stereotypes and focus on what actually matters, how people live, not how they look.

7. “Humans are meant to eat meat.”

Ah, the evolutionary argument.

This one often pops up when people feel defensive about their own eating habits. It’s like saying, “I eat meat, therefore I must justify it.”

Here’s the thing, no one is taking your steak away. Vegans aren’t judging you (at least, most aren’t). They’re just choosing differently.

Using “biology” to dismiss someone’s moral or environmental choice is lazy logic. As Dr. Melanie Joy, a social psychologist known for her work on carnism, explains, we often rationalize our eating habits through cultural norms, not necessity.

Humans may be able to eat meat, but that doesn’t mean we have to. And if someone chooses otherwise, that deserves respect, not ridicule.

Final thoughts

I’m not vegan, but I’ve learned to understand why people choose that path, and honestly, I admire it.

In a world where it’s easier to follow the crowd, making mindful choices takes courage. And that deserves support, not sarcasm.

If you’ve ever caught yourself joking about someone’s diet, it’s okay. Most of us have. But awareness starts with noticing, and choosing better next time.

Because humor should connect us, not divide us. And sometimes, respect is as simple as keeping certain jokes off the table.