Diet is Like Religion

I just finished reading this article on NYTimes, I Love You, but You Love Meat. Here's the gist of the article:

"Sharing meals has always been an important courtship ritual and a metaphor for love. But in an age when many people define themselves by what they will eat and what they won’t, dietary differences can put a strain on a romantic relationship. The culinary camps have become so balkanized that some factions consider interdietary dating taboo." [read more]

This reminds me of my own experience when I switched a to a vegetarian diet while still living in a country where people have virtually no idea what vegetarianism is. I had a hard time eating out with my friends and dining with family. I was always the odd person out. Dining out was a pain since vegetarian option was non-existent. I remember going to McDonald's ordering double cheeseburgers with extra cheese and lettuce but without the burgers. After a couple of years of vegetarian diet, I developed an aversion to meat. There was a time when I puked in the restroom when I accidentally ate lasagna with meat. It was more of a psychological response than physiological. To make matters more complicated, I didn't know how to cook. And my parents thought that I was joining a cult. Ah, good times...

The ironic thing is that, I switched back to an omnivore diet after moving to the U.S. where it's much easier to live a vegetarian lifestyle. But I have no regrets in trying out vegetarianism. As a result of my lifestyle experiment, I came away with a much deeper understanding of the philosophical, ethical, practical, and more importantly, economic and environmental reasons for following a vegetarian diet.

However, for now, I choose to walk along the middle ground. Being an omnivore gives me more leeway, especially when it comes to relationships. I have no problem eating with vegetarians. For example, when eating out with vegetarians, I could switch to a vegetarian diet on the fly, not only because I don't want to offend them, but also because I am reminded of the ethical reasons for choosing that diet. But the reality is, people in my immediate circle of relationship--friends, family, and loved ones--are omnivores.

Due to the exclusive nature of a vegetarian lifestyle, a vegetarian diet is akin to converting to another religion. I'm not using this analogy as a pejorative for either religion or vegetarianism. But based on my own experience this is how it is.

A difference in dietary lifestyle strains relationships the same way difference in religious affiliation does. I'm not saying that interdietary relationships won't work. It can--the same way interreligious relationships work for others. But dietary restrictions puts another level of challenge for those who are looking to have meaningful relationships and starting a family. It's already challenging for people to meet that special someone who share similar interests, faith, philosophy, religion, so when we add dietary restriction on the list of criteria, then the odds of meeting that special someone is like trying to win the lottery. Yes, there are those lucky ones. Good for them.

Nowadays, in democratic countries like the U.S., religious differences is easier to overlook than the more exclusive criteria of dietary restriction. So whether you're vegetarian, or otherwise, just be thankful that you're not spending your Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia.

To all readers out there who have experience with interdietary relationships, I'd like to hear from you. When it comes to relationships, which do you think is more challenging, difference in religious affiliation or dietary restriction? Feel free to share your experience and views in the comment section.