This Thanksgiving, Kim Sherman, a senior from Eudora, will celebrate the holiday in a typical manner, with her family gathered around the table making expressions of thanks. But when the group digs into the food, the fare will be anything but typical. Sherman, a two-year vegan, plans on serving Tofurky, in lieu of the traditional turkey.

“People think that if you are vegan or vegetarian you have to eat all of these crazy foods,” Sherman said. “In reality, you can eat most Thanksgiving dishes made with alternative ingredients and it tastes very similar.”

As a vegan, Sherman abstains from eating any form of animal product, from meat to milk. This lifestyle forces Sherman and other vegans to come up with creative ways to make the most of their Thanksgiving spread.

John Cunningham, the Vegan Resource Group consumer research manager, and vegan himself, said that many traditional foods can be made into vegan options with simple substitutions like margarine for butter or soy milk for milk. Stuffed acorn squash and colorful cranberry bread are some of Cunningham’s favorite vegan picks for Thanksgiving.

“It’s fun when people bring nontraditional food into the holidays,” Cunningham said. “American culture is a melting pot and bringing in new vegan food helps to remind us of that diverse culture.”

Parendi Birdie, a vegan junior from Lawrence, is the president of Compassion For All Animals, a student group with the mission of creating peace for animals. Birdie comes from a faux-meat-loving family. In fact, they order their mock meat from a specific company in New York City. Birdie says that her family usually eats a basic faux meat and vegetable meal for Thanksgiving. Birdie has tried Tofurky, a soy product that imitates turkey, and said that the taste varies depending on where it is produced.

“Tofurky has to be made well for people to like it,” Birdie said. “I think it sometimes gets a negative reputation because people haven’t had it prepared properly.”

The Merc, located at Ninth and Iowa streets, sells a whole Tofurky line which includes Tofurky roasts, whole wheat bread crumb stuffing and gravy. Tofurky is composed of tofu, a soybean product. The store also offers vegan baking mixes and an alternative whipped topping for pie.

Ann Chapman, a registered dietitian, said that despite diet restrictions, a variety of foods are still available to vegetarians and vegans.

“If you think about it, a vegetarian could eat most of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner,” Chapman said. “If they have the traditional meal, it includes the green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, whipped potatoes, dinner rolls, and usually there is a fruit salad, tossed salad, corn and broccoli.”

For many, Thanksgiving is a time of appreciation, family, friends and food. Food, whether it is vegetarian or traditional, is an important aspect of the holiday. Sherman said that as a vegan she has developed a new respect for food and where it comes from.

“You have a lot more value in your food, especially when you are trying to eat more vegetables and fruits,” Sherman said. “You want to slow down and take the time to appreciate each bite.”

— Edited by Adam Strunk