A bodybuilder, a picky eater, and someone on a diet walk into a vegan's house... how do I feed them all?

So I’m in a bit of a tough spot here… I’ve got to make a meal that works for a bodybuilder, someone on a diet, and a picky eater who doesn’t like vegetables. The bodybuilder needs high protein, the dieter wants to keep things low-cal, and the picky eater will literally pick out any vegetable they can find, especially onions. I thought about making mini-quiches, since I have these cute molds, and that would be easy to portion. I could make rice or mashed potatoes as a side for the bodybuilder and picky eater to get enough calories. A salad for the person on a diet. But I’m stuck on the main dish… any suggestions? Maybe a pumpkin lasagna with TVP bolognese, or zucchini boats? I want it to be low-ish in calories, but still have enough protein. Or should I just make two different dishes? I need help to impress them and show that vegan food can work for everyone… but it’s giving me a headache. Oh, and no dessert – that’s too much.

Chickpeas are your best bet here! You can roast them with spices for a crunchy snack and throw them in a quinoa bowl to boost the protein. Green mung beans are also a great protein source. You could make a fun bowl with quinoa as the base, topped with crispy chickpeas and veggies. For appetizers, try oyster mushrooms with BBQ sauce or cauliflower wings – those are low-calorie and the picky eater might even like them! Cornmeal muffins could work too, and they’re really versatile. Good luck!

How about making a taco bar? It’s a fun way to please everyone! For appetizers, go with guacamole, salsa, vegan queso, and corn dip with tortilla chips. Then, for the main dish, let everyone build their own tacos or bowls with rice, beans, vegan cheese, pico de gallo, and all the fixings. You could even add tofu, beyond meat, or sautéed peppers. It’s customizable for all dietary needs and everyone can choose their toppings. And since you said no dessert, try these brownies – they’re super easy! Just mix a box of brownie mix with a can of pumpkin and bake for about 30 minutes. They’ll be fudgy and delicious.

@Chin
My husband says every situation calls for Mexican food :joy:

Daire said:
@Chin
My husband says every situation calls for Mexican food :joy:

Smart guy

@Chin
Tacos are definitely the way to go. For protein, you could use tofu sofritas (like Chipotle’s), or ground TVP or walnut for a meatier option. And chickpeas as a crunchy topping! I love the brownie idea, I might try it myself.

@Chin
Yes, exactly. I read your post and thought a taco bar is the perfect solution.

Maybe set up a taco bar or a baked potato bar where everyone can customize their own meal. That way, it’s easy for them to pick what they like.

Oak said:
Maybe set up a taco bar or a baked potato bar where everyone can customize their own meal. That way, it’s easy for them to pick what they like.

I agree! A taco bar is so easy, and you can lay out all the ingredients so everyone can pick and choose. It’s not too complicated for you, either.

This is a fun challenge! Here’s a way to make it work for everyone:

For the appetizer, mini tofu-chickpea quiches could be a hit. Blend firm tofu with chickpea flour and nutritional yeast to make them ‘eggy,’ then add minced veggies like zucchini or spinach.

For the main dish, I’d suggest a build-your-own protein bowl setup. For the base, offer quinoa, white rice, and cauliflower rice. Then, provide protein options like lentil-mushroom meatballs, and roasted veggies like sweet potatoes and zucchini. You can also serve sauces separately: marinara for the picky eater, cashew cream for the bodybuilder, and tahini dressing for the dieter. This way, everyone can customize their meal, and it’s easy to portion and keep track of calories and protein.

@Tobin
Did it actually say ‘I love your thinking’ :joy: Thanks for the compliment sandwich, robot that doesn’t care about my feelings.

@Tobin
Why bother? If people want to trust AIs they can do it themselves, they don’t need humans for this.

I think your idea of pumpkin lasagna with TVP bolognese and zucchini boats is great! You could use TVP in the zucchini boats, too, and top them with vegan cheese or panko bread crumbs. I bet everyone would love that!

Haha, I thought you were going for a punchline with this post. I love how you framed it!

These mini chickpea flour frittatas are a good option! I’ve been making them forever and usually just use my own fillings. You can find the recipe here: Mini Chickpea Flour Frittatas

I think you’ve got some solid suggestions here. I’ll add one more: consider using soy curls in your dishes! They’re a great substitute for chicken, and you can find more ideas here: Soy Curl Chicken

How about a fajita bar? You can veganize it however you like, and it’s an easy, customizable option. Just fry some corn, bell peppers, and onions, and maybe even mushrooms. Don’t worry too much about authenticity, just make it fun! Get some store-bought tortillas, and serve with salsa and vegan sour cream. It’s not your usual main dish, but it could work well under the circumstances.

Honestly, you don’t have to call someone a ‘child’ just because they don’t like onions. It sounds like you’re getting frustrated with accommodating all the different preferences, but why bother if it’s such a chore?

Maybe try a lentil loaf with roasted veggies on the side? A few years ago, I adapted a meatloaf recipe into a lentil loaf, and it was amazing. I skipped the ketchup and used garlic confit instead, which gave it a unique flavor. Honestly though, I wouldn’t cook for people who are that picky. They can just get food delivered if they’re that hard to please.

Check out Forks Over Knives! They have some great whole-food, plant-based recipes. If you avoid the ones with too much dried fruit or maple syrup, there are plenty of options that would work for everyone.