How can I become a vegetarian, in a house of meat eaters?

Question

I have tried to become a vegetraian on several ocasions , but it seems that everyone and everything is against me, to start it seems my mom starts to cook or buy all my favorite foods, ordering pizza, grillings and what not, things she wouldnt normally do, and because I dont have any money to buy my own food, I am stuck eating regular, unhealthy food, so how can I devote myself to a vegetarian lifestyle, and live in a house of meat eaters

I want to become a vegetarian because I dont like eating animals,my mother cooks what she wants, not what I ask, and they make fun of me for wanting to eat vegetarian foods, I cant move out because I dont have the money, so Im reduced to eating can corn, and green beans, and whenever I have some money I would go and buy the food I need.

oh and cows have mad cow diesease, chicken have their problems, and pigs are people, and people are long pigs, so I prefer being a vegetarian

no she knows its healthier, it just would take more effort, and money, an you all should know, vegetarian foods, and suplements, cost more than the food at the local grocery

Answer 1

Move out.

Answer 2

You have some very legitimate reasons to quit eating meat and your mother should respect your choice. It's obvious that you've tried talking to her about it and she isn't listening to you. Try talking to a school counselor about the problem. He/she may be able to help you deal with your mom.
You may have to wait until you are able to move out or until you can afford your own food before you can eliminate meat completely. If that's the case, keep trying to make vegetarian choices, but include the meat if it's needed to maintain a healthy diet.
I found some helpful tips on the following site:
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/goingveg.html
There are plenty of sites out there to help you become a vegetarian. All you need to do is start looking them up.
Just keep motiviated, realize that it doesn't have to happen over night, and you'll soon achieve your goal.

Answer 3

i was vegetarian for about a year when i still lived with my family. i basically would just eat some variation of what they were eating without the meat. i have to admit, i wasn't very healthy, and eventually i gave it up. now i live on my own and i am vegan. i am much healthier, because i plan my meals rather than relying on meatless versions of someone else's.

the trouble with being vegetarian in a meat-eating society is that meat eaters often give you a hard time on purpose, to avoid having to confront their own feelings of guilt. there is a lot of misunderstanding about the problems of the meat industry. perhaps if you educate your family more, they will respect your decision.

there are some books (check your bookstore or library) about becoming a young vegetarian, including advice on talking with your family. it is important to learn to cook meatless meals on your own, so they won't feel they need to cook two meals. you could even offer to cook dinner once or twice a week, and show them how great a meatless meal can be! try stir-fried veggies (tofu optional) on rice, meatless spaghetti (make thick sauce with mushrooms and some tvp), or fajitas with grilled veggies, salsa, and cheese.

you can also show them this video (link below) on animal cruelty so they will understand your reasons.

be sure to take vitamins and stay healthy, and not to back down. if you refuse to give in, they will realize you are serious about your decision.

Answer 4

Your mum sounds like a challenge if she is trying to bribe you with food you once enjoyed. I guess you have to ask her why she doesn't respect your decision. If you are only eating canned vegetables that is not good and must worry her.
I dont find being vegan expensive. I hear people complaining about the price of meat. A block of tofu from a Chinese grocery store is so cheap. Lentils are cheap. Vegetables, your mother buys anyway.
It is not the cost but her lack of respect for you and if you do your research on cost etc. she will have no excuse for not allowing you to eat whatever you choose.

Answer 5

Well done for making your own informed choice and standing up for it. There has already been at least one answer here by yet another person who thinks their way is right and ridicules anyone whose way is different. Take no notice.

Often, parents don't seem to take their children seriously, thinking it's just a "fad"; I think the answer is not to argue and shout, but to do a little research on being a vegetarian, sit the parents down and talk them through.

You do have to be careful about getting it right, though: you will have to make sure you get your complete daily nutrition, and there are plenty of websites to help you. The Vegetarian Society would be a good bet. Here's one site that is full of information to start you off:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/vegetarianism.html

Look in Wikipedia for background information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/world/vegetarianism/newsid_2027000/2027694.stm (this has some handy links)

This is a bit gung-ho, but interesting:
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/pveg1.htm

You might try getting this book:
http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=0764563351

Finally, a good recipe site:
http://www.vegsoc.org/cordonvert/recipes/

Please do make sure you have a balanced diet - as we all should!

Good luck.

Answer 6

If you were not raised a vegetarian than there is NO use of becoming one. Animals were made to be eaten do you think that just cuz you and 50 other people in the US stop eating meat than they will stop killing the animals?
I don't get (nor do I want to) why people try to do things like this.
what is the meaning of the word treehugger? Could it be defined as a vegetarian

Answer 7

Talk to your Mom about why you want to be a vegetarian. She is just worried about your health so show her that being a vegetarian is perfectly healthy. You can also go to http://www.peta.org to find some stuff that will gross you guys out so much you'll never eat meat again. That's what happened to me. Thank you for realising that animals are living, breathing creatures that deserve life just as much as you. Hope this helps (PS my whole family eats meat too)

Answer 8

Maybe could do research the whole thing and print out some facts, make booklets for your family, state your points, ask them to be open minded and try to eat healthier for a while. They don't have to omit meat, but offer other choices, but really until you can start contributing you cannot complain to much.

Answer 9

meat eating is not bad for you, why dont you try becoming a healthy eater instead of insisting on eating only vegetarian foods... Seriously eat apples and oranges and the right amount of proteins/carbs a day and you will be healthy, it all starts with exercise not the meat your eating... its the amount of food and the amount of exercise in which people are healthy...

Answer 10

well when i started to be vegetarian my family didnt agree with it, they eat meat like its there religion. bbqs ever 3 days, and meat all the time, umm so i just made my own dinner and didnt let anyone cook for me, cause they tend to want to "trick" the vegetarian into eating meat. it wasnt to hard, you just need to cook for your self.

Answer 11

Ask that she make a salad and a vegetable to go with dinner. Even ask if there can be two veggies.