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Hernando Today

Thanksgiving Without The Meat

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving is the one day of the year when vegetarians are even more aware of society's love for meat.

While many people will sit down to a succulent turkey or glazed ham dinner on Thanksgiving, vegetarians will dig into their favorite meatless pasta, noodle casserole, or sweet potato pie. Perhaps they will go whole hog and top it off with a nonanimal fat-based gravy.

John Cunningham, consumer research manager for the Vegetarian Resource Group in Baltimore, Md., said it's not as hard as some think being a vegetarian on the most celebrated meat day of the year.

"When you think about it, there's usually only one meat dish at the table," Cunningham said. "Everything else is a side dish."

Typically, there is a three-bean casserole or some other nonmeat delicacy.

"It is very possible for a vegetarian to eat around the turkey and have a very satisfying Thanksgiving dinner," he said.

Guests who receive an invitation to a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by a vegetarian should know beforehand what to expect, he said. And the host should also be considerate of his meat-eating guests.

"Obviously you want to be completely up front with your dinner guests and they should know what they're in for and they can decide for themselves whether they want to participate or not," Cunningham said.

People who want to bring a vegetarian dish to the gathering should visit a local natural or organic food store for suggestions, he said.

And, when in doubt, there is always "tofurky" - a mix of tofu and vegetable protein cooked up in a casserole.

With society's emphasis on health, vegetarianism is becoming more popular. Just ask County Commissioner David Russell, who ate his last hamburger about 20 years ago at McDonald's and never looked back.

Russell said he became a vegetarian to get his weight and blood pressure under control. It was also a philosophical decision. He finds the slaughter of animals repulsive.

Joe Lemieux, owner of the Green Bean Organic Market off Northcliffe Boulevard, said he has noticed an uptick in business at his store/restaurant as people ready for the holiday.

Lemieux, a vegetarian for 35 years, sells organic produce and groceries ideal for meat alternative meals.

He said he's tried tofurky but is not enamored by the taste or texture. There are other dishes out there and he enjoys looking for new ideas.

Lemieux said becoming a vegetarian was a process.

"It was really about asking myself a question, 'If I had to kill animals myself, would I do it?' and the answer was no," said Lemieux, whose wife is also a vegetarian.

Lemieux said two of his sons are coming over for Thanksgiving. Because they are not vegetarians, Lemieux's wife will cook a turkey and ham. He and his wife will dine on meatless entrees.

But Lemieux has one condition: The meat will be cooked at his restaurant.

"I protest loudly about cooking meat in our oven at home," he said.

Sandra Dixon, registered dietician with the Hernando County Health Department, said more people are choosing to eliminate meat from their diet "for whatever reason."

For many, she said, it's a personal choice.

"You don't have to eat meat to be healthy," she said. "There are other protein sources."

Regardless of eating preference, Dixon has advice for anyone who overeats on Thanksgiving: Get plenty of exercise.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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