I agree. Out here in BC, vegetarianism is very common. Almost every restaurant caters to vegetarians - there's a huge vegetarian community in this province. Unless you're hanging out with rednecks (or, you know, people who typically mock any alternative lifestyles), nobody would bat an eye if you were to admit being a vegetarian. While I'm sure it's a lot more difficult finding diverse vegetarian options out in remote rural areas of Canada, that's just a fact of rural living regardless of what you eat. But being a vegetarian in Canada is no issue.

Montanas Steakhouse can be a tad trying too!!

Being a vegetarian in Kamloops has been a tad difficult. Have been to the big grocery stores but there isn't any variety at all. Walmart was a joke......when I asked about vegetarian products the chap looked perplexed. Nope nothing here was the reply and I suppose fearing the next question he added for good measure " We don't sell fresh vegetables either!".

I suppose I should have clarified "coastal" BC.

Michelle,

Where are you moving to? If you are in the Vancouver area I can recommend some great vegetarian restaurants.

And for the record there are lots Vegetarians in Canada.

Jay

Hi Jay,

We are hoping to move to the Vancouver area, infact we're arriving in Vancouver for a recce at the beginning of October so any recommendations would be great!

My husband is a vegetarian and we moved to Niagara region just over 2 months ago. He really doesn't like any of the Yves veggie products. So we found out that they sell Quorn in America and went over to Wegmans just 2 minutes from Queenston/Lewiston bridge and stocked up, they have a much wider range of veggie products. Think we'll be making regular visits!

One of the more amusing threads I have read in a while, with the advert 'Chicken Curry' running underneath.

Personal choice is personal choice in my book. Friends won't & don't mind in my experience, although all can be harder to cope with as a teen, especially in a new place.

re. BC - I am most familiar with Kelowna / Vanvouver & although I am not a veggie, there is usually something vegetable based (good sign in my opinion, is when it is not labelled as a special vegetarian dish, but a genuine choice of good food).
I do miss the variety of indian food in Kelowna, given I live / work in the Bradford area uk.

I cannot comment on supermarkets though, as generally my sis cooks from scratch even if only pasta & sauce. Have I seen other posts that comment to a general difference in the availability of convenience food anyway?

Ah but people do like to ask questions. "but WHY are you a vegetarian?" "If you don't eat meat what do you eat?" "Do you have enough protein/iron in your diet?" "You must be an animal lover!!"

I just don't really like most meat, made the switch and didn't look back. For some reason people love to quiz me on it like it is the most fascinating thing they ever heard. It's only food.

Try having to avoid gluten in your diet and then see how difficult eating out can be.

Back to the main subject though, vegetarians. I was one for a good many years, maybe 15. I am now a born again carnivore. If I went to a restaurant and there was no veggie option then I would ask for a plate of veggies and rice, or pasta, or spud. Easy.

What I don't understand is why vegetarians eat meat substitutes, quorn and the like. If meat is not good eats then why eat a fake version? If veggies are where it's at then eat the flaming things veggies and not supplement them with fake meat. Seems chuffing odd to me to say that you can't find veggie food when the produce department is the first one you come to in the supermarket.

Hi there...

We are a family of 8 and are all vegetarian(my wife is Vegan!)... We have lived in Calgary for the last five years and do not have any problems eating out or shopping at the grocery stores. I guess it depends where in Canada you are going to be living....

I am veggie, also raising my daughter veggie. I am on the west coast and its no problem whatsoever, Vancouver has amazing veggie/vegan places!!!!!

hahaha intresting if u can cook then its gonna b any problem for u

The fake meat arguement has been done to death on Vegsoc.org.uk

I think they can help those that are just starting out and als for the host / hostess that doesnt know how to cater for a veggie - also I quite like a veggie sausage on the BBQ

A very entertaining read this one! Thanks all of you!
It gave me some distraction from what I should have been doing, laundry, cleaning etc....
Anyway, here on Vancouver Island vegetarians are 2 a penny. I am a nurse, and I see patients from all over the island and Gulf Islands. Many are veggie, pot smoking granola heads!! we have to warn them not to get too stoned as part of our pre-op advice!!
Not that I am implying that everyone from the Gulf Islands is, but there are plenty there!
we have loads of farmers markets and local produce. And grocery strores like 'Planet Organic' that sell just that.
Hope this helps.