help becoming vegetarian?

Question

i've wanted to become a vegetarian for many years now and now that i'm 17 i thought i should. i really hate the fact animals have to die just so we can eat. my mum hates the idea and wont accept the fact that i dont want to eat meat anymore, she says that if i want to become a vegetarian i have to move in with my dad but we have a really bad relationship and i dont feel safe with him and my mum knows that. what can i do so that she lets me do this? surely its my own decision?

Answer 1

Here are tips:

1. Take your time - my journey from meat eater took about a year.
2. Start out using some basic substitutes for the meat you are used to in foods where you won't even notice - ground meat replacements are available in the frozen food sections.
3. Leave meat off things that don't need it - pizza, salad, spag, etc.
4. Get some good cookbooks when you are ready to branch into more interesting foods - Moosewood books and New Farm Vegetarian are two of my favorites.
5. If you are worried about what to eat check out the book "Diet for a New America" it will cover many of the health questions.

A good start is to pick one or two nights a week as "veggie" night. Then work your way from there. Another way is to stop eating one type of meat at a time which is what my wife and I did. We started with red meat, then pork, then chicken and finally seafood.

Answer 2

Why is your mother against you turning vegetarian? Choosing what you eat is totally your decision but it can be very difficult. Perhaps she worries about you getting enough nutrition (the ONLY nutrient that you can't get from a vegan diet is vitamin B12 as it can only come from animal sources but if you are intending to still eat eggs and milk then there is no problem). Perhaps she is worried that she will have to cook two meals at each meal time (you could always make a vegetable stew and she could eat it as a side dish and you eat it with rice or pasta as a main course) Or perhaps she is worried that becoming vegetarian is the start of a slippery slope that will result in you getting arrested trying to sabotage subs at Faslane (if that were true there wouldn't be any subs left there!)

Do some research, sort out in your head exactly why you are making this decision, plan some solutions to possible problems and then sit down with her and have a sensible adult chat about it. Don't be evangelical about it - present it as "This is my life and this is an issue I feel strongly enough about to want to change myself"

If she is still anti-vegetarian then perhaps you could offer a compromise - two or three times a week you cook and she eats whatever you cook and the rest of the time you eat whatever she cooks. This way you can cut down on the amount of meat you eat and perhaps she will change her mind eventually.

Answer 3

Hi,

It certainly is your own decision at 17.

A lot of people become veggie in thier teens when they can cook for themselves.

And that is probably the solution to your problem. Check out the vegetarian websites and see what recipes they have, make a couple of dishes without causing a scene or fuss. Just say you fancy cooking someing yourself tonight. Mum will be suprised how good it looks and tastes.

remember to eat a balanced diet, don't just replace meat with those meat alternatives, they are not necessarily any good for you. Ignore all those "protien is a worry" things people say, veggeis get all the protien they need from a mixture of veggies, fruit, nuts etc.

Check packets for ingredients and V symbols, you soon get used to it and it becomes automatic after a while.

What on earth has she got against being veggie anyway ? Perhaps you need to figure that one out and break down those barriers. Is she mixing it up with animal activists or something ?

check out www.vegsoc.org.uk . They have some great non-judgemental facts and advice for new veggies. Here is thier new veggies section:
http://www.vegsoc.org/newveg/index.html

Vegetarinism at its simplest form is just a diet, how can she want to kick you out for choosing a perfectly healthy diet ?

Strange.

You may want to tell her that a veggie is likely to be far heathier and live longer, wouldn't she want that for her child ? Although thats a bit confrontational.

anyway, cooking a few meals for yourself is the best start.

Good luck, stick with it. Remember that for each veggie meal you eat there are millions of animals that appreciate your choice.

Ignore all the meateaters that critcise you, they are just in a defensive mode because they have no real arguement against what you are doing.

and finally, don't start preaching to others. Remember how bad it is that your mum is preaching to you, don't do this to others.

any specific questions, just email, no problem.

Answer 4

When I became a vegetarian, well let's just say it was a long time coming. I am a hardcore activist. I refuse to purchase products that were manufactured in sweatshops who employ children, abuse animals, etc. However, I am also a scientist, so I don't really have a problem using animals for research. Thus, it was natural for me to stop eating meat. My mom was perfectly okay with it. She was concerned for my health, but as long as I picked up my side of my food prep, making veggie burgers, taking a vitamin, etc., then it was a go. My dad however, wasn't and still isn't to be swayed. He doesn't like the fact that I don't eat meat, and will probably never accept that decision.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, you, first of all, if you feel strongly enough about shunning meat from your diet: GO RIGHT AHEAD! However, don't do it to rebel or annoy your parents. Bad reason... AND don't try to make your personal diet choice a family issue. Its not worth it, and you won't be a happy vegetarian in the end anyway. Its not your position to say what you should or shouldn't do, plus you are probably going off to college or moving out soon anyway. Don't try to completely run your life while you live in your parent's house. Not worth it. Just respect there rules and attempt to reach a compromise.

Some ideas for compromising. If your family is a real meat-eating crew, then eat side dishes. Throw in some salads (with dark leaves, not just iceberg lettuce, you need the iron) and some cooked vegetables. Ask your mom what she fears with you becoming vegetarian. Make it a conversation, instead of a battleground. If it is the diet or the safety of the diet, then you need to do some research. Before you take on the diet, understand the chemical make up of your body and why or why not the diet would be helpful. If it is purely for activism, etc., tell your mom. If you approach her without attempting to be combative I am sure she will be willing to have a discussion.

This a response I wrote to someone else who asked a question about the diet:

I am a vegatarian. I usually try to get my protein and iron through soy milk and other soy-based products. I eat a lot of beans and nuts, which both contain lots of protein and iron. I wouldn't be so concerned about the protein though. If you don't become vegan, an egg for breakfast every morning is a good start to the day and gives you all sorts of irons and minerals. You can always eat Boca or Morning Star meat alternatives when you eat at home or at a someone's house if they are serving meat. Its not a hard diet once you get into it. You sort of become used to not eating meat and you don't think about the fact that you are vegatarian as much. If you don't like eggs, however, its probably a good idea to take an iron pill as a supplement. This can help make sure that you don't become anemic, which is a problem many vegatarians and vegans face.

Try not to be one of those vegatarians that believes he or she can survive off of salads. Its not healthy and completely not worth the health consequences. Also, its not a great idea to eat vegatarian due to the desire to lose weight. It isn't a really fattening diet, however if you want to really stick to it, labeling it as a losing weight program won't help. Also, bean sprouts are a really good source of iron. (You can put them on salads or in sandwiches.) Kale, spinach, and other dark green leafy vegatables are good sources of iron as well. And again, soy is a great way to maintain your protein needs.

This should help you start your own research. I can't stress that enough. You need to know what your talking about when you approach your mom. Be conversational and informed. I hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 5

HI i am Veggie and have been for 13 years. But as a parent i can see your mother's point, its not until you have a family of your own that you totaly appriciate how much of a demading job it is to be a mum, housewife and work.

One of the earlier sugestions was to cut out red meat and perhaps explain some of the health benefits for that, in think thats a great idea, make sure you do your homework though because parents are pretty good at coming up with questions for you to answer.

I think also you need to work out in your own mind how you are going to change your life, i am veggie, i dont eat flesh, i also aviod milk, eggs and gelly etc, but i am not a vegan, i aviod these things for many reasons, taste, texture, the thought of eating an animal, hormones, additives etc etc list goes on and on, but whenever challenged which happens alot as a veggie i am able to defend my reasons for being veggie (not that i should have to).

I think sadly at the moment, try and do what you can but remember, at the moment you live with your mum and she pays the bills and she probably cooks too, and its no walk in the park being a mum, its wonderful but at times exhausing, so try not to make her life harder and soon enough you'll be old enought to leave and eat whatever you like.

As my parents used to say "Mum's House - Mum's Rules" Definatly it is your decision but probably best to wait until you eventualy leave home before putting it into full swing.

Answer 6

Are you planning on being a vegan (no animals and no animal products such as eggs or milk - or any foods that include them)? Or are you simply cutting out meat? Being a vegan is quite difficult - and very often your diet inconveniences others who are preparing your food.

Ask your Mom what it is that she objects to in regard to your choice not to eat meat. If she prepares all of the meals in the house - and she enjoys eating meat - and she doesn't want to prepare two different dishes every night - then I understand her point.

Are you driving? Can you do some grocery shopping? Can you do some of the food preparation? I'm a vegetarian (though I do eat fish - so some people say I am not) - and I manage to make meals for myself and meat eating boyfriend and his daughter. Many nights when they are eating meat and veggies - I just grab a veggie patty out of the fridge and substitue it. Casseroles with meat are hard to alter - but for most things - I just leave the meat out of mine - or prepare a vegetarian style dish for everybody.

If your Mom is concerned about your nutrition - there are many other sources of protein like nuts, cheese, yogurt, tofu - etc.

I think the best way to convince her is to EDUCATE yourself about your nutritional needs as a vegetarian. Also - it will help to offer to shop for and prepare the meals.

Lastly - remember that everyone's diet is their own personal choice. Do not judge what your Mom is eating. YOU may feel it's bad that the animals have to suffer and die - but it's not right to push your beliefs on others. If you are still eating eggs and cheese do you want the vegans up in your face telling you how the chickens and cows are mistreated and you're contributing to that? I think not. Eating meat is not immoral according to our societal norm - and it's certainly not illegal. So don't be judgemental with your Mom (or others) - it will get you nowhere.

Good luck!!
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Answer 7

That's really selfish of your mum- not just because she doesn't care how you feel, but she's using the emotional problem here to get her own way. That's out of line.

Tell her you're staying put, and that you're going vegetarian, but will help prepare your meals. Get some literature of the web... make her know that you'll be the perfect example of excellent health.

Make her understand this isn't just about animal cruelty. Tell her you dislike the taste of meat, and if she keeps making it, you just wont eat it and you'll get a deficiency because she wont offer an alternative (guilt trips work both ways, if she wants to play that game). Download dozens and dozens of recipes from the net (links below), get some advice from the vegetarian society, maybe join a proper veggie forum to get some one-on-one advice from other teens who have come through a similar situation.

Best of luck to you. Going vegan changed my life for the better in more ways that I can ever count. Better health. Better personality. Less allergies.

All the best :-)
x

Answer 8

It'll be your decision, however, try get your mum to understand the reason/concept behind it, give her facts that prove its good to be a veggie! Also, try to understand her point of view too, shes stopping you because she care for you. You're old enough to make you're own decision and she should respect that, as a parent. After all, she doesn't live your life, you do.

She'll probably not gonna cook for you (another mum's tactics, heh), so be prepare to cook for yourself!

Believe in what you do and stick to it, for the animals! :o)


peace

Answer 9

It's a very nice decision to became a vegetarian, I will suggest you
must go dinning out in veg restaurants,it will help you in becoming
vegetarian. I have seen so many veg restaurants.if you will go there
you never feel like that you are trying to becoming vegetarian still
at that you will trying.must visit on this

Answer 10

Making such a drastic choice when you are young can be very hard on your parents. Your parents want to believe that they know what is best for you. Like somone else said try slow maybe just cutting out red meat, then the rest and you also have to get use to eating other sources of protien in your daily life.