I REALLY want to become vegan, but my dad said I can't.?

Question

What should I do? He said that he's not buying any of the stuff I'd need, and he would'nt give me money for it either. He said he IS NOT going to let me, but I can when i move out. I really need some advice. Please help. I really don't want to eat animal products any more because I found out that they torture those animals as if they were nothing but dirt. I would really appreciate it if I got any advice at all

Answer 1

well i respect ur point of view but some people take joke at it
i agree that it hurts animal when we kill them and eat their meat
but sometimes no one care about that even me
i know its not good thing but i need some meat that is all
ur father may be upset from u because of a strange idea he think about u
just try to explain to him more and more and tell him that is all because u won't hurm animals anymore and u want them leave in peace
i think u r very kind heart girl

Answer 2

If you are still in high school, try taking a home ec class and ask your teacher if you can make your food without animal products, and see if you can learn how to make a few things vegan-style. She might be willing to do it, and if the recipes are simple, provide protein, and the ingredients are cheap you may be able to convince Dad that he is throwing money away on food you will not eat and that this will just prepare you for the life you are going to lead when you move out anyway.

Just to let you know, on peta.com and goveg.com there is a lot of info on becoming vegetarian, including a free vegetarian starter kit w/recipes. There is also a lot of information about how being vegan can be healthy that you can try and show your Dad. Unfortunately, if his mind is not open it won't matter what you show him.

There is also a DVD you can get for free called Meet Your Meat. It shows the awful ways the animals live and die. However, I find many meateaters will refuse to watch it - which just goes to show they know it's bad, they just don't want to know how bad, in case it makes them feel gulity for eating the foods they crave every day, or reduces their appetite for it. Which is the whole point, but some people just don't want to know.

If you are old enough, you may have to get a job to fund your diet. If not, consider whether or not vegan is right for you at your age. I can't answer that, though I will say that even most people who eat meat don't get all the vitamins they need from the food they eat. It is very difficult to do so in today's world, carnivore, vegetarian, or otherwise.

Also, as someone who supports himself I have found eating vegetarian is not super cheap or easy. You will have to be really serious about it. If so, I would suggest following the link below.

http://goveg.com/vegetarian101.asp

Answer 3

I'm a vegetarian. But I had to wait until I stopped living with my parents.

Thus, I'm not sure what you can do. You can't just stop eating meat, because then you might become a junk-food vegan, and that's not healthy.

As for buying all of the stuff you need, it's not that much. Is he worried that you'll overdose on tofu? Die of malnutrition? Are hiding an eating disorder?

What you do need to do, is lots and lots of reading. And there is a whole lot of misinformation out there. (Like on this website!) Start visiting the library. There are lots of vegan and vegetarian books and magazines. Some will be full of nonsense, and some will be out of date, but you'll find some useful information. Like how much protein you require, and what exactly a serving size is.

Talk to your doctor, too. She might have some useful advice.

Oh, and I hate to be the one to tell you, but eating a vegan diet does not eliminate animal suffering. Even an organic vegan diet. Sometimes, fish is used as a fertilizer, animals are run over by plows, and so on. So, you can't beat yourself up over what you don't control. And at this point in your life, your parents control your diet.

As for what you can do, start cooking and baking things from scratch. You're father's probably not going to refuse to buy whole wheat flour, brown rice, kidney beans, apples, nuts, spices, lentils and such. If you offer to make one meal a week, perhaps he'll let that meal be vegan? Especially, if you cook a variety of tasty, nutrious meals.

Finally, if you belong to a religion, look there for inspiration. Many religions quietly preach a low-meat diet.

Answer 4

You don't need any of the fancy soy products, just eat a variety of grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Certainly he can't deny you . As long as you eat a variety of these things, you'll be all right. He can't force feed you, 'cause if he does that's a form of abuse.

If you are of working age, what if you got a part time job so you can buy the soy products yourself?

What does your mother say? Do you think you can get support from her? Do you have older siblings? If so, would they be a source of support? What about other family members? Maybe someone can talk to your dad. What about your grandparents?

Btw, don't listen to the person who said that vegan diets are not good for growing bodies. At no time in one's life, not even in infancy, does one need to consume non-human milk. Veganism for kids is FINE.

Answer 5

Okay, dad says you can't eat what you'd like. In the meantime, eat everything on the table except the meat. Eat your salad, veggies, potatoes, pasta, desserts--but do not eat the meat. Dad's gonna realize that he's throwing money away on food that is being wasted--it might make him think.

When you're at work/school, you can eat whatever you'd like (if you have the money). You haven't mentioned how old you are, is it possible that dad is worried about your health or weight? Even if he was not so far, he will be when you stop eating meat at home.

Don't eat any animal products -- you've based your decision on research, or so it sounds. You need to remember that you do need some protein and B vitamins though--check out where, other than meats and vitamins, you can get these.

Is it just you and dad at home, or is there a mom and siblings? If you have younger siblings dad may not want you to influence them--they will make their own decisions when old enough.

Now vegans don't even eat fish, eggs, tuna, etc.--so you need to get the nutrients from some other source. I understand that vegans don't eat/drink dairy products, either--so you'll be needing some calcium and vitamin D.

Answer 6

If you want to be a vegan, be a vegan. You are your own person and a human being that is capable of making decisions about what you eat. If you don't want the stress of dealing with your dad, though, just be a vegetarian instead. I am a vegetarian, and I am slowly making my way towards a vegan diet. I feel a lot better about myself for being a vegetarian. Anyway, your father can't legally force you to eat meat. He can't stuff it down your throat (that's child abuse) and he can't restrict you from eating food at all (that's child abuse too). Eat plenty of veggie and fruits, because they are good for you. Medical doctors and the American Dietetic Association agree.

Answer 7

I personally suggest going vegetarian before going vegan.

But about the whole dad situation..... I think u should try to get a job or if u get allowance then u can use that. For finding a job u can ask friends of your family, friends, nieghbors etc if they need any some help around the house, tutoring children, babysitting,etc. People are very grateful for the help and if you tell them why you need the job they will most likely help you with your cause. People can be very friendly. some schools and organizations offer support for people going vegan/vegetarian.

I wish you good luck!!!!!! Thanks for helping the animals!!!!! =D

Answer 8

Unless you are over 18, reduce your meat consumption until you grow up and move out. Eat more peanutbutter and vegetables. Don't stress about being totally vegan, it's very hard without support and groceries. Being and egg and dairy vegetarian is still a good step (even if you can't manage it full time and have a litte meat to keep the family relationship intact). When you leave home you can be whatever you want. Please read about nutrition and cooking while you are at home.

Answer 9

What you can do, sweetheart is try to make the healthiest and best decisions for yourself within your current limits. The most important thing for you to is get the proper balance of nutrients while you're still growing. These would be my suggestions until you can purchase your own food:

Make sure that vegetables take up 3/4 of your plate when you eat. See if you can get your protein from dairy (milk, cheese and nuts). At least nothings being killed. Try to eat combinations of beans and rice to get complete proteins. Many vegetarians still eat dairy and fish. Educate yourself on free-roaming and cage-free, hormone free farming.

Think like a rainbow when you eat your veggies and fruits... the more intense color the vegetable, the better it is for you. Those are going to be important sources of vitamins and iron for you. And if you're not eating meat, iron is going to have to come from veggies as well as calcium.

Look into getting an appropriate vitamin and mineral suppliment for your age and gender.

I'm sure someone else on this site can direct you to a great age-appropriate web site where you can learn more.

Try telling your Dad that it's not about buying you what you need, but about not buying you what you don't need. Instead of pushing the emotional points of wanting to be vegetarian, bring up the health benefits: eating more veggies, fresher veggies, lower fats, less cholesterol, longer life. Even though you don't agree with his food choices, try not to make him feel bad about it. If you do that, you'll never get him on your side.

Good luck with your journey, hon!

Answer 10

Hi. As much is it seems impossible, he's doing this because he thinks it is "bad" for you. That is, he is most likely concerned about adequate nutrition (protein for example).

What you need to do is to do a little research and present this to him. For example, show him (with citations, references, etc) that a vegan diet can provide the necessary protein and vitamins. I would put together a "menu" showing what you plan to eat each day along with the details on the nutrition offered. You will need to do a cost analysis also but hold off on that info until he says something like "but that will be expensive" (you see where I'm going on this yes?).

The bad news is that his first response will still be "No" but give him a few days to think about it.

Then, schedule a time to present an alternative. You may have to compromise a bit (at first). Suggest being allowed a trial run of, say, 6 weeks. But, NOT on a vegan diet but rather a basic vegetarian diet (with diary, eggs, cheese included).

Then after a few weeks of successful vegetarianism, try moving into being vegan.

I realize you may object to diary and eggs but try a basic vegetarian with Organic Milk Products so you won't have to worry (too much) about diary industry issues.

I think your father is probably a reasonable man and, given time, persistence, and good research properly presented he will agree to your request.

Good luck!

Answer 11

Vegan diets are not good for growing bodies. I can tell you aren't grown 100% yet. wait a few years and your body will be stable and have enough nutrition to take a vegan diet. By the way, you can always be a closet vegan. Just order pasta with out the meatballs. Eat everything except meat. Pretty simple to do. Also, take your vitamins. You need them if you are going to go without certain foods. Some vegans are like only half vegans. They don't eat lamb, ham, or beef but they do eat eggs and some other things. If I were you I'd do that. :)