Can a vegetarian eat something cooked in the same oil as meat?
I found this website that helps vegetarians with fast-food, and it warns that some restaurants cook vegetarian dishes in the same oil as the rest of their food. Is that a warning to all vegetarians or just some, like vegans?
nelie , 10-16-2008 12:33 PM
It really depends on your own comfort level. I wouldn't want to eat something cooked in the same oil as meat. I try to limit my cross contamination as much as possible.
I wouldn't want to something cooked in the same oil either, but I do agree with Nelie, definitely depends on the person. When I first started trying to eat less meat I wouldn't have minded. I would only have meat if I was in soup or something very small in salads and such. But after completely going vegetarian I would be very upset if I ate something that had meat in it or was cooked with meat oil.
My reasons for going vegan are ethical. While in an ideal world I'd prefer my food not being cooked in the same area as meat/dairy/eggs/etc it's just not always possible. My thought process is that by being cooked on the same grill or in the same oil I'm not causing any additional harm which is my intent for being vegan. However it really is up to your comfort level and reasons for being veg.
My son's GF has been a vegetarian all her life. If she does eat something that's been cooked in the same oil as meat, she becomes ill. So it can be a physical problem as well as an ethical one. I know that she asks about that kind of stuff so that she can avoid any problems. I'd actually never thought about it until recently, but it's an interesting issue, and makes me wish we had a vegetarian restaurant where we live.
ya if i go some place new i always ask what they use for oil, i stopped eating onion rings from burger king cause they use the same fryer for meat. i once upon a time incorporated BK onion rings into a cheat meal but not anymore. i know im not hurting or actually consuming the animal but after almost 9 years of being veg it makes me want to throw up knowing i may have consumed some part of the animal
My reason for being vegetarian is psycological I think. I stopped eating meat naturally when I was 8 because I grew up on a farm and got trauamatized. For me, I can stomach the idea of eating any meat products....
But I deffinately agree with everyone else, its a personal choice and comfort thing. Do whatever feels right to you.
rdw1 , 10-19-2008 09:28 AM
I was under the impression that burger king now has dedicated fryers for non-meat items... ok, so i researched it and I see it is just their french fries... I believe Wendy's does the same...
I, myself wouldn't ever eat anything with animal stock in it or cooked in animal stock but something cooked in the same fryer or grill doesnt bother me as much. If I can prevent it(most of the time I cook at home so I can!)I ask for food to be prepared in the back at the hibachi place and things like that... but, to me as someone said before that doesn't cause any additional harm.