Being a Gen Z Vegetarian in Asia: Myths Debunked

Hey! Have you ever wondered what an Asian vegetarian diet is REALLY like? There are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation going around about what it’s like being a vegetarian. 

Vegetarian diets primarily consist of plant-based meals. This typically means no meat, but lots of vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds. 

Allow us to clear up the rumours and lay out the facts, with insights from a Gen Z Singaporean (Xin Yi) who’s been a vegetarian all her life. 

1. Is a vegetarian diet healthier than a non-vegetarian diet?

Answer: YES (but…)

Yes, by virtue of eating vegetables and other plant-based foods instead of meat, you will be consuming healthier, cleaner foods. A plant-based diet can help in many ways, such as by reducing the risk of diabetes. HOWEVER, there are plenty of unhealthy foods out there which are also advertised as vegetarian-friendly: pizza, French fries, potato chips etc. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that eating vegan fast food seven days a week will be doing your body any favors. All the vegetables in the world won’t help if you’re deep frying them in oil beforehand.

XY: I’ve definitely heard people make the assumption that because I’m vegetarian, it’s easier for me to eat healthier. It is ultimately still up to what you eat because I do know some vegetarians who put on weight because they eat a lot of processed foods that are vegetarian-friendly, but not strictly healthy. Whether you’re eating a plant-based diet or not, it’s always important to get your recommended daily intake of fruits, vegetables, proteins and nutrients! 

2. Is it a struggle to find good vegetarian food in Singapore?

Answer: NO

There is usually at least one vegetarian stall at most hawker centers in Singapore. Even if there aren’t, you can probably ask the friendly hawker aunties and uncles to serve you dishes without meat especially for you. Most are quite accommodating! Finding vegetarian options in Singapore is less troublesome than one might think. 

XY: My personal favorite is Gokul Raas, a restaurant in Little India with amazing thosai and savory chicken kurma. For city-based options, I am also a big fan of nomVnom, Herbivore and Green Commons! nomVnom has an incredible selection of mushroom burgers that hit the spot whenever I have a fast food craving, and Herbivore’s array of fusion dishes are worth every penny.

3. If I date a vegetarian, will my future kids and I also have to become vegetarian?

Answer: NO (but…)

Again, this is ultimately up to the person in question. There are definitely some extreme vegetarians out there who may refuse to date or have children who may not want to be vegetarian, but the vast majority of vegetarians in Singapore will respect your food choices.

XY: Personally, my future spouse not being vegetarian is not a dealbreaker for me. I can respect his choices as long as he is also willing to respect and accommodate my own. At the very least, I would be more impressed if a man were to take me to a restaurant with more vegetarian options on a first date.

And as for my kids, I would let them eat vegetarian meals first, but I would also accept and respect their choice if they choose to switch to eating regular meat once they grow older and can make the decision themselves. 

4. Does vegetarian food taste as good as regular food?

Answer: YES

Restaurants around the world, not just in Singapore, are creating more and more plant-based food options that taste just as good, if not better, than regular food options. You may have heard of the Impossible Burger craze that’s been dominating fast food franchises in recent years. This is just one example. You’ll never be at a loss for what to eat as long as you know where to look!

XY: People have asked me if I’ve ever tasted meat or if I ever feel like I’m missing out because I don’t eat meat. To be honest, I don’t think I’m missing anything. The one and only time I ever ate meat in my life was by accident, and I didn’t even realize it at the time. My friends and I had been eating at a burger place, and I’d ordered an Impossible Burger. The server mixed up our food, giving my friend my order and giving me one with meat instead. I didn’t even realize it until my friend made a comment on how her burger tasted different. 

I hadn’t tasted much difference at the time, which is a testament to how far fast food companies have come at making vegetarian options taste just as good as non-vegetarian ones. I remember not really finding the taste of meat at the time being anything special, and if anything, I just felt bad that I’d accidentally consumed meat. I do believe it is a misconception that non-vegetarian foods taste better than vegetarian ones, and that vegetarians are missing out somehow by sticking with meatless diets. Everyone has their own taste preferences, and that’s fine!

5. Are vegetarians and vegans the same?

Answer: NO

Vegetarians and vegans are NOT the same. Vegans don't consume dairy and eggs, for one thing. As we mentioned at the start, there are also different classifications of vegetarians depending on what products they eat and don’t eat.

A lacto vegetarian eats dairy products but not eggs, while an ovo vegetarian eats eggs but not dairy. There are also pescatarians who eat fish but no other meats, and pollo-vegetarians who eat poultry but no other meats. There are also flexitarians, who primarily stick to a vegetarian diet but occasionally eat small amounts of meat, poultry, eggs and fish.

XY: Even among us vegetarians, there are different categories we all fit into. For instance, I identify as a lacto-ovo vegetarian. That means I avoid all animal meat but can still consume dairy and egg products! 

6. Can vegetarians get enough protein?

Answer: YES

It’s true that meat is a rich source of protein, so it’s easy to make the mistake thinking vegetarians struggle to get their daily protein intake. However, there are plenty of vegetarian-friendly sources of protein out there! From chia seeds and nuts to edamame and lentils, there are plenty of protein options around if you know where to look. Whether you’re vegetarian or not, carefully planning your nutritional intake for the day is always a good idea!

XY: My favorite sources of protein are tofu, lentils and tempeh. I highly, highly recommend the delicious tempeh burger from nomVnom!

7. Are there any good vegetarian snacks in Singapore?

Answer: YES

There are tons of snacks in Singapore which use healthy, nutritious ingredients that fit in vegetarians’ diets. You can find plenty of dried fruit and vegetable chips, baked nuts, rolled oats and other healthy snacks at your local NTUC or Fairprice. 

XY: Of course, Hey! Chips is my favourite because they’re made using clean, natural ingredients and prepared simply and without nasty additives!

We hope this article has been helpful and informative! If you’re considering a vegetarian diet, make sure you stay well-informed and make good, healthy choices. Happy eating! :D