Teenager wanting to become vegetarian?

Question

I'm 14 and I want to Become a Vegetarian and i have a few questions
How do I get my parents to be on board with this idea and how do parents react to this?
Can being A vegetarian be a major health risk if you dont get the right nurtrients?
Is being a vegetarian good for my health?
Does eating vegetarian cost more than not eating vegetarian?

Answer 1

You will have better luck presenting your case logically with out mentioning “animal rights”. Your parents will not jeopardize your health for meat purchased clinically at a grocery store. You will also need to assure them you don’t have an eating disorder (anorexia).

The case for a vegetarian diet being healthier should be easy to make. During the Viet Nam war, autopsies performed on American soldiers showed that many suffered from clogged arteries and heart disease in their teens and 20’s. The young are not immune from the ill effects of meat. Studies just published in the British Medical Journal documents vegetarians have a higher I.Q!

Offer reasonable substitutions for meat that will not inconvenience them. Vegidogs and Vegiburgers are inexpensive and easily cooked.

You may enjoy many meals eating just the side dishes. Never, ever make an issue at family gathering of your vegetarian diet. If you embarrass your parents, they will make it difficult for you to continue.

Once you reach the age of majority recommend continuing the practice of tactfully avoiding meat. I can go into any restaurant and order off the menu. It is nobodies business what I choose to eat and would not want my diet to be a detriment to my career.

If asked why I’m so healthy – then proudly state I’m a vegetarian. (THEY ASKED!)

Strongly suggest you begin by removing just red meat from your diet. After about a month take away chicken. You will notice an improvement in your skin, along with unexpected improvements.

If you choose to continue – fish would be the last meat removed from your diet. Fish can be very healthy (Omega 3 & 6) and you will need to insure adequate protean replacement.

Don’t be surprised if your family enjoys meatless meals after being exposed to the benefits of a vegetarian diet.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Go to the library and get some books on the subject. There are different kinds of vegetarians so you should decide which you want to be. Some eat nothing but vegetables and fruits while others eat poultry, others eat fish and others eat dairy products.

If you want to eat all fish, poultry, dairy products you won't have a problem not getting the right nutrients. Vegetarians eat grains and legumes too.

This is a healthy diet. You may want to make it healthier by using organically grown produce and have a garden where you can grow your own veggies and freeze or can them. Good Luck!

Being informed and able to discuss the issue about a vegetarians diet will help you talk intelligently with your parents and they will know you are serious about it.

Answer 3

well first of all, there is no such thing as a semi vegetarian. if you want to eat only fish and no other meat, you be a piscovaian (sp). however, there is no such thing as a vegetarain who eats chicken. i understand that chicken is an extremely popular food among omnivores (i know because my school has a day set for chicken only!), but if you wish to be a vegetarain, you have to give up on chicken as well. now ive been a vegetarian for my entire life (14 yrs old) and ive just turned vegan 3 months ago, so i know what i mean when i say that cutting out dairy will really restrict you from a lot of food. it will be extremely hard to eat at resteraunts if you are trying to go for the diet that you want, however its not impossible to eat at home. just about everything you eat will involve some type of cooking; you cant have any quick snacks like yogurt, pizza, or toast (contains wheat). vegetarians are actually starting to be accepted in todays society. have you ever gone to a resteraunt and seen a vegetarian menu? or have you seen any food products in the grocery store that have the word "vegetarain" on it? im sure you have, these are only two signs that show how many people are converting to vegetarains including yourself. however, vegans are not so lucky, a lot of food contains dairy, which is sad. and a lot of food contains wheat.

Answer 4

Good for YOU! Show your parents you've really thought this through. Go to the library and get books. Cook books as well as basic health books. There are tons!

Actually being a meat eater is the biggest health risk of all. This is something you will need to educate your parents about. We've had a lot of news coverage lately of people getting sick from veggies tainted by e coli. Where is all the coverage on the hundreds of people who die yearly from meat tainted in e coli? Every package of chicken contains some chicken poop. China refuses to import our beef because it's tainted with both e coli and mad cow disease.

Meat and milk consumption raises your cholesterol, raises your risk of diabetes, raises your risk of breast and prostate cancer. Raises your risk of osteoporosis.

These are all easy to find online. You can look them up, print articles and show your parents you have made a well informed decision.

Eating veg is smarter! It can be cheaper. That depends on the type of veg you decide to be. A healthy veg or a processed veg product veg. Try not to indulge too much in processed veg products.

Healthy greens, nuts, whole grains and legumes (beans) are GREAT! You'll feel better. Have more engergy. Avoid a LOT of the hormone issues that begin at your age. You'll probably skip right on through acne season without any acne.

Recent studies have shown vegetarians are smarter than our meat eating cousins too!!!

Good luck!!!

PS: don't listen to Andy. He's been listening to propaganda.

Answer 5

I would do some research before you go to your parents and tell them that you want to be a vegetarian. Maybe explain your reasoning. My parents were pretty supportive when I told them, they just make sure I'm eating healthy.
As far as health risks are concerned you could just take a multi-vitamin daily.
Yes being a vegetarian is good for your health just make sure you balance it out.
I would say getting vegetarian food could cost a little bit more, but hey it's tasty!
Good luck and let me know how it goes.

Answer 6

By getting your parents I would just do research and talk to them about the pros and cons. Being a veggie is the farthest thing from being a health risk if you have good resources you can easily get all your nutrients and vitamins you need from your veggies and legumes and lots more that most people don't even know about. People think that you cant get all you need from the veg diet and that is just wrong. Being veg isn;t any more or less expensive in my opinion. Me and my husband are veg and we have four kids...three eat how ever they like out of the home and one is a strict veg, It is their decision i can only keep them informed.
Some great books are available out there.
The one book that changed my life was The Food Revolution by John Robbins. He was the in the baskin & robbins ice cream family and the buisness was to be given to him but he opted to be healthy and so be it........ hope it helps

Answer 7

First off, good for you! I think this is a great decision and I applaud your courage. Here are my suggestions:
-parents-
As far as parents go, do your research and sorta "present" your case to them. When I first became a vegetarian I was in my 20s and out of the house, but my parents still flipped out. (go figure). The concept may be kinda foreign to them and you mom may be downright insulted (if she thinks her food isn't "good enough" for you). I digress. Just make sure you that you have truth to back up your beliefs.
-risk-
Yes vegetarianism can be risky if you don't know how to transition from being an omnivore. It can also be dangerous if you don't know which foods to eat. That's why I suggested that you research this first. You should be able to find out some good info. I know of a few so-called vegetarians who eat nothing but junk food. It's not only a lifestyle, but a mindset. To me, being a vegetarian is synonomous with one who carries out healthy practices in all aspects of life.
-good for health-
Of course it is. Your research may surprise you!
-cost-
Actually, my grocery store trips are less expensive as a vegetarian. In my city, fresh fruit and veggies cost waaaaay less than meat and processed food.
Since you're 14, I assume you're still growing. I cannot stress to you the importance of doing this correctly. I wouldn't want you to get sick. You also might want to speak with your family doctor and get his/her okay before you talk to your parents. Good luck to you!

Answer 8

i'm 14 and became a vegie 2-3 months ago.
1. load up on facts. facts facts facts. doing this will show them that you know what your doing and you have tooken time to educate yourself.
2. you do need to take vitemens. expesally ones with b12 in it. IMPORTANT! if you don't get everything you need there can be bad effects. talk to you doc about this
3. being a vegetarian is the best thing you can do for you health. for your health and for the animals.
4. it all depends on WHAT you buy. but generally being vegie is cheaper.

good luck and i support you!!!!

Answer 9

I'm 13 and veg! about your parents, explain to them why you want to go veg. let me warn you now,if your raised on meat it is hard to quit .it is like a very bad habit. being veg is somewhat a health risk if you don't get the right supplements and nutrients.many meat substitutes have protein in them.being veg is very good for your health . it reverses the effects of heart disease.it will help lose weight. some meat subs cost more but that's it.

Answer 10

i think being a vegitarian can be more expensive or cheaper depends on where you shop get veggies and fruits when they are cheap and its not
as for getting your parents on board if you are a veg you are usually healthier and skinnier
being a veg is good for your health but can be a health risk if you dont get enough protien