What is a good age to become vegan?

Question

I'm 13 and I saw a commerical about how awful animals were treated. I told my mom that I wanted to become a vegan and she said that I still all the vitamins and nutrients from meat because I'm still growing.

Answer 1

To answer your question, at what age is good to become a vegan? At birth.

You're still growing, so you need lots of macro nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats), and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Oh yeah, and water, duh, lol. All macronutrients and all micronutrients are found in plant foods. There is absolutely no human nutritional need to consume flesh or anything else from animals. Not even in infancy is animal's milk needed, that's what mother's milk is for.

Eat plenty of veggies, fruits, grains (oatmeal, rice, barley, breads, cereals, pasta, etc), legumes (beans, peas, lentils, peanuts - yes, peanuts are legumes and not nuts), eat a few seeds and nuts (cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, etc), take a daily bit of healthy oils (2 tsps of olive, canola, safflower, or flaxseed oils a day), take a multi-vitamin daily, take a vitamin B-12 daily, and drink plenty of water. Do this, and you will grow beautifully. Really.

As for the fancy soy products out there, they are nutritious and yummy but not necessary. If your mom doesn't want to get these soy products, your health will not suffer from it. Just eat a variety of the stuff listed above, and you will be healthy. Besides, veggies and grains and beans are a lot cheaper than meats and dairy, so your mom won't have to spend as much at the grocery store. Trust me, she'll certainly like that.

Answer 2

I became vegan at 18. I have been much healthier. When I became vegan I started researching health and nutrition. I started eating much healthier than before, and there is a big difference in my energy level. I recommend it as soon as you are ready. It doesnt matter what age you become vegan, as long as you know about nutrition. If you do research on what foods you need to be healthy, then it doesnt matter if your 8 or 88. Reading a book about becoming vegan will be very helpful. Good luck!

Answer 3

Any age is perfect for adopting a vegan lifestyle. You will get more nutrients being vegan than you ever would eating animal products. Your mom is concerned for your well being, however, she is incorrect about needing animal products in order to get nutrients. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, soy products (including soy milk) are an excellent and natural source of all the vitamins we need. The key is variety as well. As long as you are well educated on the subject, do your reasearch, and stick to it; you will be much healthier. Spend some time doing research with your mom.

Answer 4

Any age is fine!

I chose to become a vegetarian when I was ten, and my health hasn't suffered in the slightest! (In my humble opinion.)

What I would say though is that maturity plays a big part in being allowed to make such important decisions. Why don't you prove your maturity by planning out some balanced menus, including important nutrients for young growing individuals such as protein and calcium, to show that you've thought it through carefully and know enough to be really healthy with a vegetarian diet.

You may also wish to suggest a trial week (I said that to my mum when I turned vegan at age 15 and have been going for three years!). It might reassure her that if anything is going to go wrong (which I have never personally come across) that changes could be made, and it would be your chance to show that you can do it.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Any age is good! A lot of people were raised vegan and are perfectly heathy . Maybe you and your Mom should speak to a nutitionalist just to put her mind at ease ! We can replace all of the nutrients from meat with other sources ie nuts, pulses, mushrooms etc !!
Good luck with becoming a vegan !!

Answer 6

I become vegetarian at ten but I fi=rst did a bunch of research to prove to my mom I knew how to properly control my diet to get all the nutrients I needed - go the library and get a few books about vegetarianism/veganism and show your mom that you know how to eat properly in a new way

Answer 7

You can opt not to eat animal products at any age. I grew up not eating meat (age 3-22) but supplemented my diet with other forms of protein like nuts and tofu. As long as you are finding ways to include protein in your diet you should be just fine. I was actually a lot healthier as a vegetarian than I am now.

You could also just opt to not eat meat, but still eat dairy products, eggs, etc. No animals had to die to get these products.

Answer 8

Any age is good to go vegan. I support vegans/vegetarians totally. i am currently becoming a vegetarian now. same age as u. soymilk and soy products r good and eating legumes can help u get protein. www.goveg.com is a really good site.

PS: i really hate those people who r actually doing the cruel things to the animals. there are soo many people unimformed about the things they do to animals. even if they do know about it they don't go vegetarian or vegan. thanks for supporting the cause!!!!

Answer 9

There is nothing in meat that you can't get elsewhere except certain kinds of bacteria that are bad for you. Get a multi-vitamin if you need to in order to make her happy. Show her the advantages of the diet--don't just show her the animal rights stuff. A lot of people just don't care about it, as horrible as that sounds. Show her the health benefits and that will make her happy.

Answer 10

i'm 14 and i became a vegetarian for 2-3 months (i suggest starting with vegetariansim first then work your way up to veganism). any age is good to drop meat....earlier the better. go to the source links and so some research yourself.