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I am 12 years old and have been eating meat my whole life. I am starting to feel guilty for eating animals. I would like to try becoming a vegatarian but I am afarid my family will be upset because they are big meat eaters. I just don't know what to do. Please help me!!

2006-11-21 10:19:17 · 33 answers · asked by txagl 2 in Food & Drink Vegetarian & Vegan

33 answers

Don't listen to people who say "free range" meat is more humane than the regular. it's a marketing scheme.

You're still going to get the nutrients you need with a vegetarian diet, it's rarely a problem.

The best website you should look at is www.goveg.com, it focuses on the animal cruelty aspect of vegetarianism and should give you advice on how to go vegetarian and stay vegetarian.

please, do it for the animals.

2006-11-21 12:09:34 · answer #1 · answered by veganfreak 2 · 3 1

It may be difficult at your age just remember animals are killed for leather and silk and many other reasons too so if that is going to be your reason you might not get very far with your parents. Check out the November issue of National Geographic you can find it by googling on-line or at the library. It has your best argument for becoming vegetarian and maybe you could use it to help your case. Also many grocery stores carry a brand called Morning Star farms. This brand produces soy based produces that replace your meat. Most super Wal-Mart stores carry these products. Beans and rice together = a complete protein. Nuts and legumes also have valuable protein. Make sure that you find foods high in iron! These are your things that you need to watch if you're going to be able to do this. A good b complex vitamin would help too. That morning Star Farms stuff has a soy based protein called veggie crumbles that can be used like hamburger but it doesn't have to be browned first.

2006-11-26 09:16:10 · answer #2 · answered by I-o-d-tiger 6 · 1 0

Nuts, beans of all types including soybeans will become your main protein source. Peanutbutter sandwiches, bean burrito (the "no fat" type not cooked in lard), vegetable stir fry with peanuts. Tofu (soybean cake) is a curious product that transforms itself into many different forms. A good start is in a fruit smoothie.

How do you feel about cheese, milk and eggs? Lacto-ovo vegetarians will eat those.

Talk it over with the cook.....mother for example. Perhaps you could make your own "protein" portion of the meal. You'll still be able to eat the rest of the meal....unless it's cooked in bacon fat or some such.

Most all grocery stores carry the soybased meals such as from Morningstar. Try these. The "chicken nuggets" are fine. I'm not wild about the Boca burgers, but if you put them in a bun with enough other stuff they are OK.

Search around on the web for vegetarian recipes........I think if you find some simple ones and show them to your mother...it might be a good start.

2006-11-27 17:22:34 · answer #3 · answered by fluffernut 7 · 0 0

When I was 12 I started becoming a vegetarian for the same reason and Its not easy when your whole family loves meat, but heres how I did it: I stopped eating meat and I told my mom my reasons and some facts about it and she (said I was crazy) but se started making meals that I could eat with no meat. Sure, sometimes as guilty as you feel you will crave something but when time passes you wont even notice your missing meat. And if you decide that you cant be a vegetarian, there are other ways you can help them, like joining a group like PETA (www.peta.org) and if you check out that website, I wont have to explain anymore. There are so many options of food to choose from... I hope this helps.

2006-11-27 05:40:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Research becoming a vegetarian on the net. Make a decision based on the out come of your research.

Keep in mind that becoming a vegetarian will not stop animals becoming killed as the world over people are large carnivores (meat eaters) although you think you are making an impact you probably never will.

Think about alternatives to saving animals instead of just vegetarianism. You may do volunteer work to help endangered animals, you may make small donations (from your allowance if you get one) to help nature funds.

You would probably make more difference if you were to start to eat organic meat. Although organic animals are still killed for us to eat their life when alive is much more natural and comfortable, organic animals must by law be free range, which means they will have lovely paddocks to explore and roam in when alive. Organic animals are happy animals.

So before you make any serious decisions see if you can make an impact in other ways.

Start by looking at this web site, take things from there. http://www.wwf.org/

Specifically look at this address http://www.worldwildlife.org/involved/

I am a meat eater and animal lover what to do!

Thanks for caring.

PS: If you do become vegetarian eat sensibly, eat well and look after your health.

Your body is YOUR temple treat it well.

2006-11-26 18:42:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Ask your mom if she'll buy you some Morningstar Farms stuff. They make "fake" burgers, chicken nuggets, corndogs... EVERYTHING! Then you can just have her toss one of those in the oven or microwave while she's cooking everyone else's meal. That way you'll still be eating MOSTLy what the family eats... with just a little bit of inconvenience. You can't just NOT eat the meat your mom makes and eat everything else because you won't get all the vitamins and stuff you need. If you aren't going to eat meat, you need to eat lots more peanut butter, beans, nuts, meat substitutes, etc. to make up for the protein and other things that meat provides. Also, eat a variety of vegetables since different ones offer different benefits. Good luck!

2006-11-21 10:36:24 · answer #6 · answered by kittikatti69 4 · 2 0

My parents weren't mad when I became a vegetarian. But when I first mentioned it, my
Step Dad did say:" Eat whats put in front of U,
When U buy your own food Ucan eat what the h e l l U want to eat! So I often went & bought food for myself. If your parents are reasonable they will tell you to study up on it before doing so.. Get a book from the library on becoming a Vegetarian. Read it leave it laying around and your parents will see it. They might even read it out of curiousity! They'll be glad U didn't just jump into being vegetarian without the proper know how! Here's a simple fake meat recipe: canned pumpkin mixed with cereal:oats& wheat germ, & soya sauce. U can make a fake meat loaf or fake meat balls, fake sausages with the mixture. U can get The Veggy Corner from www.dollardaysplus.biz $14.95 ddp@jetstream.net

2006-11-26 20:12:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

Well, you can choose to just not eat Animals,,and eat eggs and dairy, and then you can cook meals for yourself, as long as you clean -up,, who can fault you?
Protein , that's what they are consuming the meats for,,but animal protien it is not a required element,,but many people systems are stabalized with the long last effects ,,i preffer small amounts of good qualit food sources that are a good fit for my bodytype,,( we ARE NOT all the same)
Look at Boca,, a product that is a meat substitute,, and you can make spaghetti sauce , chili, burgers,,,go to a library and look at books,,not just on the net, something you can hold for support, and show your family some of the benefits of making change, for yourself,!
Congratulations on thinking Globally,, act locally!Hang out at a healthfood store.Offer to do some sweeping in order to trade for some good foodstuff, i have done this before,,Natural people are more prone to helping you obtain your natual lifestyle.
Organic is another way to go. and if you want to eat meat, but cleaner ;;. the meants are raised and slaughtered in the most humane ways, compassion is and rights are put in place,, so the meat is more pure and less drama around the slaughter,, i e: no mass penned up crazy'ness
Look at Macrobiotics,,, big word, simple to implement,, you will love this idea, living in harmony with nature!
Goood Luck,

2006-11-29 04:02:04 · answer #8 · answered by dea k 1 · 0 0

I admire you for going vegetarian. I believe you van get a vegetarian starter kit through PETA. Just remember to get lots of variety in your diet and take a vitamin B12 supplement at least weekly. Also, ask your parents for help. Perhaps they can find new foods for you to try at the grocery market. Most of all, hang in there. I felt an immense source of freedom when I decided not to eat animals. If you must do fast food, try Taco Bell. The will make anything without meat or cheese.

2006-11-26 16:09:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Hmmmm...Good Question. I'm fifteen and I just became vegetarian last April and how I started out was by reading as much as I could on the subject such as books, magazines, and I asked my friends-several who are vegetarians or vegans-how they did it and if they could give me any suggestions. Once I felt like I knew enough about the subject, I made my decision to cut meat out of my diet. And I basically just took it one meal at a time and then the next thing I knew I had been meat free for a whole month!!! and I've never looked back. As for you're Family talk it over with them and explain to them why you've decided to become vegetarian. When I first became Vegetarian I just told my mother my reasons for choosing vegetarianism and she said that she understood and that she would support me in my decision. As for recipes check out VegWeb.com they have quick and Delicious recipes for vegetarians and vegans. Good luck with your decision!!! : )

2006-11-28 07:15:36 · answer #10 · answered by Haruhi_Host_16 2 · 0 0

I tried this before and it worked but i felt i couldn't live without meat lol. Ok first of all limit yourself to less meat, eat more veggies. Try this for a few days. And after you feel confident that you are ready, just drop the meat completely. Viola! You're a vegetarian. (P.S. don't try to skip the limiting part it's pretty hard to drop meat all at once)

2006-11-21 10:30:15 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

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