How should I convince my mom to let me be a vegitarian?

Question

Right now, I only eat chicken because my mom forces me to. She said that otherwise I won't get enough protein and her other reason is that we don't buy enough vegtables.

Answer 1

Hi Tina

A lot of people have already explained how you will be perfectly healthy and she doesn't need to worry, but I think a lot of parents just get annoyed because it's extra work for them when they have to cook. But it does not have to be that way! I don't know what sort of stuff she usually makes, but it doesn't have to be much effort. Some ideas-

If she makes steak, potatoes and veggies for dinner- She can just grill you a meat substitute instead of the steak.

If you have burgers or hotdogs for dinner- Easy, they do veggie versions of this stuff anyway.

If you have pasta with meat sauce, she can heat you up a meatless sauce.

If you have lasagne, she can make half the lasagne without meat sauce.

If you have a casserole, she can just make a meatless version in a smaller dish at the same time.

If you have tacos or fajitas, you can just have the onions and peppers in yours, or refried beans.

If you really need a seperate dinner from everyone else, you could ask her to put a big potato in the oven or microwave, and you could top that with beans, cheese ro whatever else is lying around. Easy. Or she could quickly whip up an omelette or stiry fry.

Offer to do the cooking every now an again and make veggie meals for the whole family.

If she really has a problem with it, offer to cook any extra food you need yourself.

As for the vegetable shortages- well you should be getting 5 portions of fruit and veggies a day anyway, shouldn't you? It's time to start buying more!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Get a vegeatrian cookbook and a vegetarian nutrition book from the library. A good book will have an explanation of "proteins" and iron, calcium etc issues.

Eating a bean/legume with a rice for example, give you a great protein! Protein can be found in other foods besides meat....

Because you become vegetarian doesn't mean that you suddenly need to eat 5 times the amount of foods in vegetables either... your mom cares, and is worried, so now you need to have a talk using the books, she can also read the books, and you can design meals together that are "balanced". Again, balance is not in one day, balance is say over a week....

Answer 3

Hi Tina,

If your mum really has narrowed it down to these 2 reasons then you've won !

You don't need chicken to get your protien. You can get plenty from veggies and eggs.

Its easy to but a few more veggies, perhaps look at getting a veggie cookbook for christmas, there are some great ones out there.

On average, veggies can expect to live 15 years longer than meateaters. So your mum should be delighted that you are going to live a long and healthy live, don't all parents want that ?

Congratulations. Millions of animals appreciate your decision every day. Nice one.

I've been veggie for 26 years, never ill, and i never take any suppliments. I'm also an arable farmer so used to doing lots of manual work. I'm much fitter than the majority of meat eaters.

Answer 4

Get a vegeatrian cookbook and a vegetarian foodstuff e book from the library. a good e book could have an evidence of "proteins" and iron, calcium and so on subject matters. eating a bean/legume with a rice as an example, grant you with a astounding protein! Protein should be recent in different meals as well meat.... because you grow to be vegetarian doesn't advise that you all of unexpected opt to eat 5 cases the quantity of meals in vegetables both... your mom cares, and is stressful, so now you want to have a communication utilizing the books, she will be in a position to also study the books, and also you need to layout foodstuff at the same time that are "balanced". back, stability isn't in a unmarried day, stability is say over per week....

Answer 5

Try to educate yourself as much as possible about the vegetarian diet, source of protein, iron.... Then you can tell your Mom. Listen here is a list. That is how many grams of protein I can get from beans, tofu... Vs. Chicken... I am no sure how old you are but you should not be forced to eat chicken if you want to be vegetarian. This is not really fair. Just explain to her that this is your wish and be firm and nice at the same time.

Answer 6

What are your reasons for wanting to be veggie? I take it you have explained them to your mother and that she hasn't understood?

If you eat a well-balanced diet you can be just as healthy as a meat eater - more so because you eat less heavy or cholesterol/ fat rich foods.

Your mum should buy more vegetables for her own health as well to make sure that she gets enough vitamins, fibre etc. That would be better for both of you.

Protein is available in nuts, seeds and beans as well as meat alternatives which are available in almost all supermarkets as well as specialist health shops. It is not necessary to eat meat to get enough protein.

I have been vegan all my life because I am allergic to animal proteins. However, I have never broken any bones and I never have to diet to keep in shape so it's definitely a healthy thing to do.

Answer 7

Just eat what you like. Tell her you would like more vegetables in your diet and that they are cheaper than meat, so it shouldn't cost much more if as much. You can get protein from milk, eggs, cheese and baked beans and pulses- they are all cheap and readily available. Just say it is really important to you and perhaps offer to help with the shopping. There needn't be too much change for either of you.

Answer 8

Ask her to spend less money on chicken and more on vegetables! I've been vegetarian for over 20 years and am allergic to diary.
I get plenty of protein from soy/quorn products as well as nuts and pulses. I have plenty of energy,sleep less than anybody I know and can't remember the last time I was sick. Have good skin and shiny hair.
. Maybe arrange to see your doctor who can refer you to a nutritionist who should be able to help your Mum not to worry.
Good Luck,

Answer 9

Protein! I love that "excuse"!
Meat does contain protein, but Quorn and all the other veggie things are MADE FROM PROTEIN, why don't poeple see that that's better?
~Peanut butter~ is a good source of protein and you don't need to eat a lot of vegetables (I hate vegetables) just try and eat more friut.

Answer 10

Research thoroughly what you will have to eat to be a healthy vegetarian. My Mum was so worried when I became vegetarian until I sent her all the facts and told her that I am making sure I get all I need from others sources! It isn't just a case of cutting out meat. There is a good vegetarian book called Great Vegetarian Food (ISBN: 1-86396-228-x) that tells you all you need to know! Good luck.