im vegan but my parents have been lying to me?

Question

like they said the food they were making didnt have any animal by-product in it and they lied they just........**** i got mad and teared up and **** i dont know if i should ever trust them again...with food anyway..........what should i do

i have already started to make my own food a while ago.........this happend like 4 months ago but they told me today

im actually 14 and yeah so it sucks that im supposed to trust my parents but i cant

Answer 1

That's so mean of them! I think some people don't understand why people choose to be vegetarian or vegan. I'm vegetarian, and my grandma kept trying for the longest time to feed me meat. ("But it's only cold cuts; it's not real meat!")

Here are some things you might be able to do to avoid eating "contaminated" food:

1. Read up on healthy vegan lifestyles, recipes, etc. and share this information with your parents. They are likely concerned that you are not getting enough of certain vitamins. Show them how much you know about your new lifestyle by pointing out things like, "I won't need to eat cheese for protein because I'm eating a serving of nuts everyday and I'm planning on eating beans for dinner." Things like that, so they won't need to worry about you missing out on certain vitamins and minerals. It will also help if you take a multivitamin and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

2. Participate in meal preparation. Being vegan can be a pain in the butt (I tried it a couple of times but failed because of the work involved). Since your parents aren't vegan, they won't see the purpose in putting in a lot of extra effort for something they aren't excited about. If your parents prepare a meal that normally requires say, shredded cheese, offer to shred some vegan cheese for them. Or if they're cooking hamburgers, offer to fry up your own Boca or Gardenburger patty. In addition to helping them cook meals, you'll also be able to supervise what they're adding to the meals.

3. Make a list of foods you can't eat. So many people are unsure of what products are animal by-products. You can find lists online, or make up your own. (Things like milk and meat should be obvious to them, but what about things like whey and casein?) Keep the list in the kitchen.

4. Ask your parents to take you shopping at a natural foods store like Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Trader Joe's, etc. They can help you choose foods that they would also like to eat. Stores like this often have flyers filled with information about eating healthy, adopting certain lifestyles (such as veganism), etc.

5. Keep a stash of "emergency" foods in the freezer, fridge, and pantry. This way, if your parents cook something with animal products in it (or something you're suspicious about), you'll have something quick and easy to eat. There are a number of quick meals that you can stock up on, including Simply Asia noodle bowls, bagels or bread (keep them in the freezer until you need them), Boca and Gardenburger products, pasta and tomato sauce, etc.

6. Sit down with your parents and explain how important this lifestyle is to you. Explain why you chose to be vegan and why you'd like to continue eating this way (without worrying about them adding non-vegan ingredients to your meals). Ask them to respect your choices and agree to help out with meal preparation as much as you can.

7. Create a folder filled with vegan recipes and meal ideas. This will give your parents some ideas as to what they can cook that everyone might like. I'm sure it's hard enough for a vegan to find a wide variety of meals to eat. It's got to be a lot more difficult for someone who is not a vegan and isn't used to scrutinizing labels and searching for a variety of healthy meals.

8. Understand that some people (possibly including your parents) will never understand your choices and/or want to help you stick to your lifestyle. Cooking special meals is a lot to ask of someone who doesn't share your goals and beliefs. You may have to put forth a lot more effort until you move out (i.e., cooking your own meals). Unless you're cooking everything yourself, you can't be sure of what's going into the food. Understand that once you move out and get your own place, you'll be completely in charge of what you eat. Until then, you'll have to hope that your parents come to understand what you are able to eat, what you want to eat, and why you want to restrict your diet this way.

Good luck to you- I admire you for being vegan. It's something I hope to do sometime in the not-so-distant future.

Answer 2

Mine have done this to me too (such as frying things in bacon fat, or putting chicken stock in things and not telling me). Of course, I didn't have to eat it if I didn't want to, but the thing that annoyed me was that they wouldn't tell me.

Your parents might not understand what it takes to make the choice to be vegan, and may think you're going through a phase and are not serious about it. They might think that being vegan is not healthy for a young person. Maybe they think that as long as you don't know what's in the food, it can't hurt you. Tell them that you have made a mature decision to be vegan, want to keep up with the lifestyle, and to at least tell you if they are putting any animal product in the food.

You will have to start making your own food, too. I'm sure you can find things around the house to cook for yourself. There are lots of vegan options for soups, salads, sandwiches, rice, etc. Start saving up money to buy your own groceries (ask your parents if you can do some extra work around the house). Being vegan is hard work, especially when you are not able to buy your own things yet. If you can't find enough things to cook for yourself, don't ever skip meals. If you aren't able to get proper nutrition for yourself, you need to talk to your parents about this. Let them know that you are serious (if you are, that is). Make sure you get enough to eat.

Answer 3

Have you considered that your parents are trying to save you from fanaticism and a patently incomplete diet?

While they shouldn't have lied, at your age they have every right to put yout health above some silly notion you bought into. A diet including honey, eggs, or milk products would take no life and be balanced and complete and healthy.

If you want to eat like an idiot when you are adult, you can. Now, you simply are too immature and don't know enough about nutritition.

Answer 4

I am so sorry that happened to you. I'm over 30 and my family still tries to lie to me about what is or isn't in the food we have for holidays. This year Christmas is at my house with my husband (who is also vegan). We have a big spread planned and hope that it makes them understand a little better that vegan food is perfectly delicious and much more healthy.

I suggest you sit them down and really try to express your reasons for veganism. I think when I explained to my mom that I no longer thought of animals as food, that made sense to her. At that point it is no longer a choice you're making that inconveniences or annoys them, but just something that isn't an option at all (like an allergy).

BTW, both dairy products and eggs hurt animals. Look it up!
Cows and chickens are pretty tortured for the production of milk and eggs. It didn't used to be like that, but with factory farming, there are few exceptions.

Answer 5

You don't say how old you are or why you are dependent on your parents for food but an emancipation proclamation is in your future - find your own place.

That brings up another touchy subject - if someone invites you to their house for a party or buffet, do NOT bring your own food. That is vulgar and tacky. Just confine yourself to the foods you feel okay about, and it is a good idea to eat beforehand so you aren't tempted to stray from your chosen lifestyle.

Your family were being jerks for slipping animal foods into your meal. Quite right that you don't trust them.

Answer 6

that is very bad of them. and I'm sorry that it happened to you.

you should start making your own food. they probably think that your not dedicated and that you will change your mind if you found out that you were eating animal by products. prove them wrong and make a couple of dinners for the family and make little ones for your self. and go food shopping


any way they are only doing what they think is best for you. they might think vegans don't get enough nutrients or Cal's. show them how healthy you can be. but don't try to change them let them eat meat. if your cool how they live they might start to be cool with you.

or maybe they don't under stand your eating rules. sit down and explain it to them and that you would like there support for your like style.

after a while they will get it. my family didn't under stand me what i wanted to eat and why i couldn't eat stuff because of what it is cooked with. like with soup, just because you pick out the beef I'm not going to eat it.

good luck! and things will be easier when you move out and can be an adult.

Answer 7

I'm sorry you're not getting the support you need. And I'm sorry your parents are listening to the marketing of the animal exploitation industries. Can you find sources from non-vegetarian organizations that back up your claims that you don't need flesh foods and dairy? Or you might claim to have trouble digesting the milk she insists you drink--lactose intolerance is pretty common, you know. Are you old enough to get a job and earn money? If so, you might want to do that and buy your own food. If you think your family might mess with it, keep it in a fridge in your room (if you can). Look to moving out when you turn 18--if college towns tend to be veg-friendly. If you don't plan to go away to college, try to find a group home that will accept your veg*anism. You may even find a vegetarian group home. If you can't go vegan now, you can work towards going vegan when you turn 18 and become independent.

Answer 8

Instead of not trusting your parents why don't you try eating like a human being. Meat is good for you, you need it to survive. I have seen many-a-vegetarians become sick because they do not get the proper nutrition. Your parents are trying to help you, not betray you. And don't give me that whiney "oh but it's cruel to kill animals" crap. It's the circle of life. Plus, animal habitat had to be cut down so you could have a place to live, and for the farm field where your precious vegetables were grown, and because of that animals died. it happens get used to it and join the rest of us in the real world.

Answer 9

Honestly, am am very glad you are not starving and having to scratch your way out of homelessness. Perhaps you should understand that your parents are doing the best they can for someone that is just a tad spoiled.

Answer 10

they probably are worried for your health, but what you can do is explain to them how important this is to you and maybe work out a plan with them on how you can get all your nutrition without touching animal by-products at all! it is possible!!!
good luck!!
don't get mad ok! they love you!

Answer 11

if you make your own food, there is no problem! dont let them near it! if they want to poison your food with meat, and by products, they cant do it if they never touch it!
easy, problem solved.
p.s.,
my parent tried this too. lol about 1 week into me going vegie. they got over it. i put soap in their food.