friends dont understand vegetarians?

Question

Im a 16 year old vegetarian and i have been for almost 8 months i find it difficult to find good meals to eat, my family all eat meat and i often end up missing out on meals because we never have the right stuff... i also find it hard to talk to my friends about it they always ask why and that killing animals will never stop but i always feel left out whenever we go to restaurants or mcdonalds or sumwhere like that.. Help anyone!

Answer 1

Don't frett over it. It's VERY common amongest Vegans.
Look into the following meals. They are better than MOST meat-containing food. Even make some for the family. I'm sure they love these:

Braised Tempeh with orels and Cilantro Ginger Pesto
Southwestern Black Bean Soup
Grilled BBQ Portabella Mushroom Sandwich on Focaccia
Falafel
Cannellini Bean Relish
Tofu and Walnut Tabouli
Carrot Salad
Wok Vegetables
Spiced Bean Curd
Roasted Fall Vegetables
Saffron Vegetable Risotto
Tortellini with Butternut Squash and Broccoli Sauce
Sweet and Sour Tempeh
Seitan Stroganoff
Pan-Seared Tofu Provencal
Soynut Tofu Ice-Cream
Lemon-Ginger Soy Ice-Cream



Look into them and see what you will like.
I find that there are ALOT of vegetarian recipes out there that are just amazingly delicious!! Don't get down over this. While you eat healthy, they don't. So who will benefit in the long-run?



Happy Cooking. And remember, stand-up for what you believe in. Don't let other's take that away from you. Good-luck!

Answer 2

I am a vegetarian by religion(Taoist). I have been a vegetarian ever since I was born. Being a vegetarian is your choice so don't let others opinion get in your way. Being a vegetarian doesn't have to mean "against killing of animals." What I noticed is whenever I go to a friend's house(people who eat meat) there would be this disgusting sour odor. I could never eat meat because the look of it disgusts me. I learned to ignore other people's criticism about me being a vegetarian because I chose to be one because of the many reasons. There should always be a "non-meat" dish at any restaurant. In McDonald's you could order a vegeburger. When you are at home you can just eat the food that does not have meat in it. I have a friend that is vegetarian but her family isn't. She got accustomed to being the only vegetarian in her family after awhile. So pretty much just don't let what others say change you. Just be who you want to be [= Oh by the way there are some great vegetarian restaurants out there that have dishes better than non-vegetarian ones(My friends that eats meat says so).

Answer 3

Dear Sam, I have been a vegetarian since 1979 and I still cannot find a veggie restaurant in my region, there is not one to be seen anywhere .I have stopped eating out ,even if you ask them about the content and cooking methods of their food they either do not know or they modify the truth to try and make a sale .Buying food yourself is the only answer,eating at home is a nightmare ,so I think you could cook your own food.Ask your mum for the Items you need to be included in the grocery shop otherwise she will not be aware of your true eating habits.Better still go with her,and choose the items yourself.Do you have a garden ? because you could grow your own ,the whole family would perhaps enjoy this as well.When dinner is being prepared at home, ensure extra vegetables are cooked and make your own veggie gravy add a veg suet dumpling and you will have a nutritous meal,finish off with fresh fruit salad and elmlea veg cream.People around you need to be educated ,some will accept and understand you others simply will not ,they may never believe it is perfectly safe to live on a vegetarian diet ,you could quote how most of the peasants lived in the old days ,they did not eat meat all the time because they could not afford it.They often had to barter for food or catch it and be punished for being a poacher on the squires land ,that is the reason they had a varying veg diet ,they produced everything theirselves.Buy your parents a veggie recipe book you never know, they may start trying to experiment for theirselves.Another nutritous meal ,Baked Potato served with veggie grated cheese ,salad,fresh veggies,salad cream heinz is the best ,olives and avacado.To follow, try a bannana served with panckes,good luck Lindsay.

Answer 4

Well, as far as meals with your family go: learn to cook! It's fun, and it gives you the opportunity to explore new foods that are interesting to you without making extra work for someone else. When you feel comfortable cooking, and you've mastered a few recipes you enjoy, offer to cook for your family once or twice a week. It will give whoever normally cooks a nice break, and allow you to share your yummy new food discoveries with the people you love. Everyone wins!

As for your friends, well...you've given them your reasons. When they keep asking, just smile and say "I've explained this before, and my reasons haven't changed. I'm not asking you to be vegetarian, too, so relax."

I don't know if you're in a city or a small town. If you're in a city, you should be able to find vegetarian options at most restaurants. Fast food places are more difficult, but even they usually have something. Also, get creative with substitutions and omissions. For instance, if there's a salad that looks good except for the chicken, order it without chicken.

Answer 5

First off your friends questions.

Why? It's the life I choose to live.

Then let it drop. They'll stop asking after awhile.

You know that people won't stop killing animals don't you? That may be true, but I'm not responsible for any-ones action but mine.

Then let it drop. Again they will stop asking after a while.


Now eating out. Research time. Look up the web sites of restaurants, especially the ones in your area, or get a menu. Find out what you can and can't eat. That way when you go out you'll know what if anything you can eat. You might be able to steer your friend to restaurants or fast food joins that have something you can eat.

Answer 6

Being a vegetarian for whatever reason requires alot of effort to make sure you are getting all of the nutrients you need to sustain a healthy living. Especially for a teenager in a family of carnivores. I suggest that you do some research on any of the many great recipe websites for vegetarian recipes. I happen to like www.allrecipes.com. Ask mom or dad if you can go grocery shopping with them and pick out few things for yourself. There are many great vegetarian meals in the frozen food section now. As for outings with the friends, simply say this is what I choose and I am ok with it. And BE ok with it. If it doesn't bother you, then when negative comments are made, they wont bother you either. If you feel like you need someone to talk to about there are many forums online that are vegetarian specific. I listed one as a source, registration is free.

Answer 7

Get a cookbook (from the library if you have to). Make yourself some good food. Unless your family is willing to get you veggie burgers-you should start trying to feed yourself something healthy. Plan meals in advance and make a short grocery list and/or go shopping with the grocery getter in the family. If you eat eggs, an egg sandwich is very quick to make while everyone else is having burgers. Subway sandwich shops are everywhere, maybe you can get the McD's folks to go there once in a while or at least stop so you can get a sandwich. (Burger King has a veggie burger and their fries have only vegetable oil).
Best of luck, get cookin'!

Answer 8

Just learn to ignore the negative comments, because they won't stop. Eating at restaurants is difficult, but over the last few years it has gotten easier. As far as eating at home, it's a good idea to learn vegetarian cooking so you don't miss out on the nutrients you need. Good luck.

Answer 9

See if you can find a vegetarian cafe or restaurant in your area and ask you friends to go there for a meal instead!! Most omnivores are willing to try and even like vegetarian grub!! You could also contact 'Vegan and proud' - (a regular on here) he is a youngster and has been a vegan for ages. I'm sure he will give you a good answer!!

Answer 10

It can be difficult. Even though I'm essentially an omnivore. I've actually been mistaken for a vegetarian because my lunches at work usually consisted of mostly salad. You could talk to a nutritionist or dietician to figure out a healthy regimen for an animal free diet. Maybe suggest to your parents and friends to be more adventurous eaters and explore other places besides McDonalds.