How to I convince my Italian and Mexican meat eating parents that I want to be a vegetarian?

Question

And what do I do when meat is the only thing served at family gatherings and at friends' houses?

Answer 1

You can't "convince",... you just do it. If they can't respect your beliefs, as they prolly won't, you just eat before hand, and tell everyone you're full. Many traditionalists just don't get it, and you're sure not going to be the one to change them. Take it from someone who knows, (I'm pretty militant really) avoid the food at all costs and either eat before, fix your own, or don't eat at all.

Answer 2

Mexican and Italian, this is a challenge, or so I thought. As for Mexican food, substitute beans for meat, unless they're made with manteca (lard). Tell your mom you want your beans de la olla 'cause it's healthier. If that's gonna be hard, then make your own beans, it's super easy.

As for outings with family and friends, tell more people you are vegetarian. If you're going to a friend's house for dinner, ask in advance if they can make a veggie dish. Not all courses are meat, 'cause meat eaters eat veggies too. If that's gonna be a problem, bring your own dish. The host will thank you.

Same goes with family. Let your family know you're vegetarian, and if they aren't accommodating, bring your own dish to share.

Basically, tell more people about your lifestyle. At home, become more responsible for your foods. If Mom isn't gonna make beans without lard (and I'm not saying she does, this is just an example), make your own beans.

Answer 3

I should be a vegetarian...sometimes I succeed.

You might have to offer to bring your own food. I mean, call ahead, let them know you don't want to eat meat, and see if they can hook you up. If not...learn to cook and bring something for yourself. Maybe they'll get the hint.

But Italian and Mexican...oh, man, there are GREAT vegetarian options in those cuisines! You can tweak original recipes that have meat, or you can try all kinds of dishes that never had meat in them (and don't need meat to make them goo-ood.)

It's a ***** sometimes...if it's too much explanation, just eat around the meat. Sometimes, that's all there is and it's just easier to keep to your principles on your own time and eat the meat when you're with your family.

Sucks, but it's not the worst thing. Sometimes it's just too much trouble to argue about this issue. But don't give up without a fight--sometimes people will surprise you with amazing vegetarian food and totally get the concept. Meat used to be seen as just a luxury item, and lots of foods around the world didn't get meat in them until people were wealthy enough to afford it.

Get your facts straight, know your reasons for going veg by heart, be ready for an argument...or not. Just be prepared, that's the best option. Put some trail mix in your pocket and eat it when they're not looking if you have to.

Answer 4

Just tell them that you will do research and for the family gatherings I think u should ask ahead and see if you can prepare a vegetarian dish that you could eat while the others eat meat.

Answer 5

luckily mexican and itallian food are great for vegetarians. You can have mexican food with beans and pizza and pasta are great cheap and easy vegetraian meals.

You family and friends will eventually get used to the fact that you don't eat meat and start making food thats a little more vege friendly - ie, leave the bacon out of the potatoes so you can eat it.

The best thing you can do it start to cook great veggie food and take it with you to such events. If you make a killer dish everyone loves they will start to see that the world doen't revolve around meat and non-meat dishes can taste great.

Also expect to eat simple bread and salad for a while when your friends and family are getting used to the idea and DON't cater for your diet. Don't be too demanding at first. They will get used to it.. but don't cave and eat meat!

Try to remind friends and family you don't eat meat (and no, fish is not a vegetable) before you go to their place to eat. If they cook you meat anyway appologise and say " I'm sorry but i don't eat meat. May i have some more bread/salad?" Next time they will remember!

I persoanlly hae been vegetarian for about 12 years. It took my family a few years to get used to it. A lot of people eat meat without even thinking about it. I have had the odd occasion where someone in my family still feeds me meat without thinking, but most of the time they are pretty good.

My nana makes all the things she used to make in vegetarian versions now so everyone can enjoy them. Its much better if your whole family starts to enjoy meals or dishes without meat as everyone can eat meat free food, not just vegetarians!

It really annoys me when you are with meat eaters and you order pizza and they want to get 1/2 a veg pizza... why not a whole one? everyone can eat it, not just vegetarians! And having meat on 1/2 your vegetarian pizza often taints the vego side withj animal fat which you can smell and taste as you eat the vego side.

The bottom line is, if you were lactose intolerant or diabetic would you expect your friends and family to feed you food you can eat? I think you would... and they would... and being vego is the same. Though if you are week and cave and eat meat infront of them don't expect them to respect your diet.

~good luck!~

Answer 6

You don't indicate how old you are, if you are a child, it can be hard to go against parents rules, maybe you could try throwing up each time you eat meat, this could persuade them to change their attitudes, specially if your'e at the dinner table when you do it....
If your'e a young adult, just be polite, don't get angry or upset, but very firm, and just don't eat anything at all.
Maybe you have a sympathetic friend, who will feed you in this "training" period for your parents, otherwise get yourself a stash of food, to eat in secret so you don't actually starve to death...
Good luck!! it can be hard for people who have a traditional style of food, to understand anyone who doesn't share it, specially a member of the family.....
At gatherings, eat first with the above mentioned friend, or from your stash, and then at the gathering,search out anything that is OK with you, surely there sould be something??

Answer 7

Well I'm a vegetarian, and my parents wern't exactly happy about it either. Just show them that you'll still eat healthy. And what my mom does for dinner for me is she makes everyone else their main meat dish, but she heats up a third of a can of beans for me every night. Yeah it sounds gross, but you get used to it and it gives you a lot of protein. And most people don't notice it, but basically anywhere you go, they have SOMETHING that's vegetarian. Whether it's french fries or a salad. And if you ever go to a restaurant, they're always happy to not add meat to your salads if they come with it. Or you can ask for it on the side and give it to someone else in your family. =) I hope that helped lol.

Answer 8

I don't think that you will be able to convince them till they want to be convinced.

That aside, when going to others homes for family gatherings or to a friends home - take along something to eat. Make enough for others to try and for you to have something to eat. They may find that they actually LIKE some of the things that you are eating and thus be an opening for them to accepting your choice.

Answer 9

Hmmm...difficult question. My parents are Mexican, but 2 of my sister-in-laws are not and both of them are vegetarian. My mom usually cooks regular Mexican dishes (with meat) for us, but also prepares vegetarian dishes for them (Mexican rice, tossed salads, cooked vegetable dishes, beans, etc.). I live in Italy, and there are a lot of Italian dishes that don't have meat: spaghetti with fresh tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella cheese; risottos, gnocchi with tomato sauce and grated cheese or with butter and grated cheese; etc. If they care about you, they won't look at you differently or treat you badly or anything. The important thing is that you respect them as well, don't try to force them to be vegeterians if they don't want to.

Answer 10

this is how you should convince them. first, go and research all of the benefits of being a vegetarian(I am a vegan myself) if you do not know them. then explain to them why it is wrong to eat meat(and the benefits of not eating it).I also recommend you become vegan(a.k.a. no cheese milk eggs...or any dairy products. if you love cheese or milk. there are vegan brads that sell cheese and milk. also if you become vegetarian there are meat alternatives. you can email me if you need to know brands for the above