by Amy Fletcher
44% of vegans live alone, according to the British market research group Kantar. Too often, vegans choose not to live with vegetarians or meat-eaters and vice versa. But there’s no need for any of these 3 groups of people to avoid sharing a flat with one another as there are plenty of benefits to be had and it’s easy to do it right too.
You’ll combat loneliness
Regardless of whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or a meat-eater, you’re at risk of loneliness if you live on your own. Loneliness is bad for your health and even poses the same risk factor as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Studies have also attributed loneliness to health conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, depression, and heart disease. Living with someone that has a different view on food to you can prevent loneliness from occurring as you’ll always have something to talk about and your differences in opinions. It can also spark some interesting topics that will keep you chatting until the early hours of the morning.
You’ll overcome biases
For years, meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans have held biased views about each other. For example, in one study, 45% of meat-eaters said they viewed vegans as “weird”, “preachy”, “uptight”, and “stupid”. Meanwhile, research has found that vegans view vegetarians as “hypocrites”. But by moving in with someone that doesn’t have the same views on animals and food as you, you’ll both overcome any biases that you hold – even if you didn’t realize you had them. You’ll see that your flatmate is more than just a vegan, vegetarian or meat-eater and is instead a good friend with great attributes.
Your health will benefit
Studies have found that vegans and vegetarians have a lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes than meat-eaters. They also tend to eat greater amounts of fruit, vegetables, and legumes than meat-eaters, all of which boast great health benefits. If you’re a meat-eater moving in with a vegan or vegetarian then you’re sure to benefit from this. They’ll be extra fruit and veg in your kitchen for a start which will encourage you to eat it. Plus, if you’re non-meat-eating flatmate is rustling up a tasty dish and offering to share it with you, you’re not going to say no, are you?
So now you know the benefits of living with someone with a different diet, how do you go about finding the perfect flatmate and ensuring that your new living arrangements work for both of you?
Finding a suitable flatmate
There are multiple sites online designed especially for people seeking out a vegetarian or vegan flatmate. For example, VegCom is a vegan and vegetarian accommodation listing site based in the UK, while Vegan Room Rent NYC is a New-York based Facebook group that will help you find a vegan flatmate. As these sites typically aim to pair people on the same diet together, you would need to explain the reasons for wanting to co-habit with someone that doesn’t have the same diet as you and assure any potential flatmates that you fully respect their food choices, no matter what they are.
Alternatively, you could consider the more traditional route of renting directly from a landlord. These days, there are millions of properties that have been purchased as investments by individuals solely for buy-to-let purposes. Some landlords will rent out the entire property to one family, others will rent each room separately to maximize their profits and ensure they can pay their lenders’ fees. This type of let may work best when flatmates have different diets, as you’ll benefit from having your own space as well as a communal area, such as the kitchen, to come together in.
Respect each other
As you would expect, vegans and vegetarians won’t want to risk their own food coming into contact with food items that come from animals. As such, it’s best to have your own shelf in the fridge and ensure you keep your own items on them. For hygiene reasons, as well as out of respect, the meat-eater’s food should be kept on the lower shelf to prevent contamination. It’s also worth having separate chopping boards, knives, and food preparation areas so there’s no chance of contamination occurring. But most of all, ensure that both of you are in agreement with your setup and are prepared to change things after a few weeks if things aren’t working as best as they could.
Too often, vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters refrain from living together for a vast number of reasons. However, evidence shows that no matter what your food preferences are, you can live with anyone and benefit from doing so. This is why the next time you’re looking for a flatmate you should think about one that has differing views to you.
About the Author:
Amy Fletcher is a freelance writer and researcher with a keen interest in business management. In recent years she has written for various online magazines, journals, and blogs. When she’s not writing she enjoys long walks with her daughter and two dogs.
