Vegans, how do deal with pressure from meat-eaters?

Question

they try to lure me into eating meat plus my whole family eats meat. well my friends are telling me it's unhealthy to not eat meat and stuff, i used to eat meat but now i don't, i turned out to like being vegan, i feel a lot healthier. anyway what do you do when people try to give oppinion on your diet?

Answer 1

"I don't judge what you eat, so why don't you leave me alone."
If they keep going, repeat it.
Repeat it again if necessary.

At home, the best thing you can do is cook for yourself. If you are old enough to have a job, get one and go shopping with your parent. Purchase the things you want to eat.

Another great thing to try is to have a serious discussion with one of the more compassionate/protective members of your family. If you sit and tell them face-to-face how sad/hurt their treatment makes you feel, they should help you.

I am an adult and my uncle always says terrible things to me during Thanksgiving. Finally, I talked to my Mom and Grandma about how it made me feel and how I don't deserve it. They stood up for me. Though he never stopped, I knew I had people who love me on my side. An unintentional positive was that they started bringing veggie burgers etc. during family functions. That really lets me know they care.

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As long as you are eating a variety of foods, you do have a healthy diet. Get a bunch of vegetarian books... browse throughout the "resolved" section of Y!Answers and find good veggie websites. Be knowledgeable and you will be able to refute their outdated claims.

Unfortunately, some of the more ignorant meat eaters will prod and prod and do whatever it takes to find the one answer you don't know so they can continue to treat you like scum. It is honestly best to stop these conversations long before they get that far.

Simply say, "Your dinner is none of my business, and mine is none of yours."

The Extinction Theory of dealing with negative behavior says that their behavior will get worse before it gets better, but you MUST keep ignoring them and not give them the attention they desire. If a child is used to getting a candy bar and you tell him "no," he will throw a fit, and that fit will get worse. But eventually he will realize that he will not get the attention or the candy he wants and will stop.... not with in 3 minutes mind you, but over time.


If they give their opinion, say "that's nice," and go about your business.

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If your family is being rude to you, you kinda have to deal with that until you have your own place. If you do have you own place, make your own delicious, vegetarian dish to bring to family events.

If your friends are being rude, don't worry, you will find a lot better selection of people as you get older. If they want to learn, explain to them. If they want to be jerks, either end the conversation or ditch them.

Answer 2

With time this will be less of a problem. But at first, when you are making these changes, and occassionally for years to come you may experience these pressures. What I do:
1. do not give in
2. ignore
3. remind them that you are vegan. that's it. no way to change it.
4. be happy, and show them that it doesn't affect you to not eat meat. if you show that you miss it, or you want to give in, then they will keep on bugging you about it
5. PLAN AHEAD!! if you are going out to dinner, look at the vegan options beforehand, is there something you can eat there?? Also if you are at home, volunteer to prepare the salad or vegan dish for the whole family and add some tofu.
6. smile, be happy, and say, Don't worry, I am following a healthy diet. (that is if you trully are, have you talked to a doctor??) In order to be a vegan/vegetarian you should be taking a vitamin everyday. I am now taking extra prental iron pills bc I have been began for over 6 years!! and my body lacked a lot of stuff... so that leads me to ...
7. EDUCATE YOURSELF!!! what foods can you eat?? And share your personal experiences or weird experiences as a vegan if you want to your friends and family. bring up some facts to defend why you have this lifestyle. but you dont have to feel as if you HAVE TO explain yourself or justify why you are doing this. but this will help you feel more confident about your diet if you know what it means.

good luck!! but remember 1. Don't Give In.

Answer 3

As long as you are informed about Veganism the debate quickly turns in your favor if someone starts one with you. Personally I would do you very best to remain calm and use the discussion as an opportunity to help people understand the motives behind Veganism. Understand that you may very well be the only Vegan this person has met and you must act as ambassador for the entire movement, like it or not.

*I find most people's responses here about this issue to be puzzling . Becoming Vegan is, for most people, a conscientious objection to the way animals are treated by our society. By adopting the attitude, "it's my choice, leave me alone" you end up harming the animals and veganism in the end. Besides making yourself look childish and hopelessly Emo, you effectively shut out any chance of that person hearing what you have to say, agreeing with you, and one day maybe even becoming a Vegan too. I would like to urge all of you to take a much less confrontational stance with our ignorant brothers and sisters. *

Answer 4

All of the vegetarians that I know do not eat healthy. They still eat chips and snacks and drink tons (like 4-5 glasses a day) of caffeine and most of them are overweight. I'll admit that red meat and probably pork is bad for you, that's why I hardly eat it. But chicken is very healthy and low fat and fish is even more healthy. Why can't vegetarians just admit that they aren't perfect? You have your reasons for not eating meat, whatever they may be, but that doesn't mean that you're an expert nutritionist or some great humanitarian.

Answer 5

You are going to run into this for the rest of your life.In France and other exotic locations it is hard for people to understand.I don't like to make people feel uncomfortable but I have come to the realization that You (people who relentlessly tease or question)are making me feel uncomfortable. I have noticed that some people take it personally and you should ensure them that this is your lifestyle and that you don't judge them for their's and that you wish that the same sentiment could be recripricated.It is harder when you are younger because everyone wants to influence you especially at family gatherings but stay strong. You must be the understanding one.Don't voice your views teach by example. I have turned many people. Remember the government wants people to take part in the meat industry they depend on consumers to keep it afloat so people will be brain washed and very adimant in their stance. Take it lightly don't start any fights and teach by example.

Answer 6

I don't give a crap what anyone thinks about me being vegan. It's a personal choice, it has nothing to do with them. People often seem to automatically feel the need to defend their dietary choices when you say you're vegan or vegetarian, like they think you're secretly judging them or something. It's annoying.

Answer 7

Just ignore them. It's their problem, not yours, and you have no reason to make it yours.

And help them to educate themselves. Give them references to check for themselves, but don't pressure them to do so. That would be the same thing that they are doing to you.

Since when is France an exotic location? And in other places, youir home country is considered to be exotic. Exotic is a wholy inappropriate label, at all times.

Answer 8

I don't get pressure from anyone.
I hear some snide remarks
from time to time and find it
easier and easier to ignore
them.

People who make fun of others'
lifestyles are only hurting them-
selves by ruining their karma.
I almost feel sorry for them.

Answer 9

If people are opposed to my diet, I tell them that I feel great, and then say that I'm going to cook them a meal to prove them wrong in their beliefs.

Answer 10

You ignore them just as you would anything else that people don't agree with. You have to live your own life. All that matters is that you are happy with your decisions.