I recently became a vegetarian. How do i tell my parents without them flipping out?

Question

I am 17, still live at home, rely on my mom to make most of my meals, and won't be going to college until the fall. My father is a diabetic and can't eat carbs as much as i can, and complains if there isn't meat at every meal. My mom doesn't think a vegetarian diet is healthy, and i am a mediocre cook at best. We have meat with dinner every night, and I have been eating around it or just avoiding it, but this won't last for long.

Answer 1

Just show them some research on what red meat does the human body and tell them you want to try a vegetarian lifestyle and see if it works for you. Research your veg diet and make sure you can still get the required protein from nuts, or whatever. Just show them the pros and cons of both and they should understand that at 17 you are mature enough to make that decision for your self, but be sure they know you're just going to try it. That won't sound as bad as just telling them you're changing.

Answer 2

If your parents are uptight there is no easy way. My mom didn't think a vegetarian diet was healthy either and would mix chicken broth into my tomaoe soup and things. It was hard but she eventually got used to it when she saw that I would rather eat spagetti noodles plain then with meat sauce, or that I jsut would sit at the dinner table without touching hat i didn't want. You are almost an adult you should deffenitly be able to make your own choices and stand up to your parents because if you cannot do that how do you expect to withstand the majority of society who feels the same as your parents?

A good thing would be to be prepared though. If you work buy your own food and a multi-vitamin. Arm yourself with statistis about how healthy a vegetarian diet is, print them out for your parents. Provide them with recipie alternatives for things you commonly eat, or explain other eating option (mashed potatoes but no gravy thank you.)
also on your printed out sheet for them print out facts about nutrition to ease their worries. Example: will they mention that you are worried you won't get enough protein. Make a protein list with things you commonly have in your house where you would get it from (say beans, rice, bananas, cheese , and milk)
or iron. These are common issues.
also you may want to speak to your doctor with your mom. This will depend on how supportive your doctor is on the issue. Some are old stick in the muds but most understand it is a healthy choice and will help ease your parents fears.

Answer 3

Just tell them straight up, thats how I did. Don't beat around the bush; tell them the reasons why you want to be a vegetarian and hopefully they'll be understanding. For dinner, just don't eat the meat and get a little extra of the side dishes. I'm a horrible cook too, and I always thought I would never be able to make my own food, and my parents won't make separate dishes for me, so I just get simple things, such as noodles and whatnot. Plus, looking up recipes always helps. If also helps super so much if you have a buddy that is also vegetarian; at school, my friend and I bring our own food and swap, and it always works out. Www.goveg.com is amazing. They have starter kits and all that jazz that will really help. Good luck!

Answer 4

You bring a great concern. The fact is, nowdays telling your parents that you've become vegetarian is like coming out of the closet in some families and the reactions aren't very friendly. Just tell them about it and hope for the best. Bring the facts to the table and they might actually accept it. My parents, for example, don't care at all whereas somone elses might.

Another thing: A vegetarian diet for the most part is raw food based. Food like peanut butter, beans, salads, carrots, tomatoes, fruit, other vegetables, soy products, etc. . .are all easy to prepare. If you start learning now, or if you even try, you'll know how to make just about any vegetarian dish there is to make. Alot of dishes in a veg diet aren't even cooked! So, if you try, I'm sure you'll learn.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Best advice I can give: Do your research and learn to cook.

You can't expect mom to support your decision by cooking you special foods, especially if she thinks it's "unhealthy". You need to learn why a vegetarian diet IS in fact very healthy if done correctly, so you can defend your decision. Know your own personal reasons for going vegetarian. Do you have a beloved family dog or cat, or hamster? Use your love for that animal as an example. Also, mediocre cooking is better than no cooking! With mom as Head Cook, you probably haven't had much opportunity or incentive to really try. You will impress yourself, I guarantee it.

Please visit VeggieBoards, an excellent forum site that has one forum exclusively for new and potential vegetarians. You can get all the nutrition facts you need to defend yourself, and look up or ask questions about how to deal with a carnivorous family. Also tips for people who don't cook much, recipes, brand reviews, and everything else under the sun. We have all the answers since we've been through it all before!

http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/

Answer 6

First of all, I want to applaud you for making such a wonderful choice- it is a great impact on animals and the environment (and for you health, if you do it correctly). I'm also 17 and been a vegetarian for quite a while. And my parents are EXTREMELY stubborn about it and they always try to force feed me meat (they say there are certain essential proteins in meat that beans and stuff don't have, which is a bunch of bull $hit). You have the right to stick up for yourself.
If no matter what you try to tell them fails, perhaps you should start your new-found lifestyle when you graduate. That really would be easier. (I'm lucky that I have a brother who eats all my meat. We keep this between the two of us and we do this while my parents are not looking.)
Make SURE that you get enough protein. Try a Morning Star veggie burger (I take those for lunch every day!), peanut butter and banana sandwiches are very nutritious, and try a cucumber salad with tofu and strawberries (and/or blueberries) with sweetened soy sauce (I sweeten mine with honey). Another awesome dish is brown rice with black beans, salsa, and guacamole. Eat whatever suits you.
Also, try soymilk! Silk brand contains Omega-3 fatty acids and it's way better for you than dairy milk (eew). Nuts are also a really good source of protein and GOOD fats (including omega-3)
Finally, make sure you get enough iron! Good sources of this are spinach, kale and most leafy veggies (lettuce isn't one of them) Also, I take an iron tablet every morning, you might wanna try that.
I hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 7

I have been a vegetarian for 25 yrs and had the same problems with my perants. All the same excuses, Not healthy, Faddy diet and will grow out of it. Don't give up. Get onto the diabetic societys web site and discuss vegetarianism with them, this will help to counteract your Dads arguments as in Britain Vegetratian diet is used to control the early onset of diabetis. Plant proteins are better for diabetics than animal proteins as they are easier to digest, the biproducts are not so toxic and easier to excrete by the body. Don't worry about carbs there are plenty in the fruit and veg and in a form that Dad is able to take, but you must take a Veggiemite or Marmite for your Femail vits and minneral otherwise you may not be able to have children when you get older. Go shopping with your Mum and ask her to try Quorn products as a trial. Get a good cookbook, your library should have at least one on Vegetarianism which will get your Mum on your side as she will see that you are trying to make thing easy for her as well a taking your health seriously. I hesitate to say this but Mum and Dad need to take you seriously Vegetarianism is for life not for Christmas to pinch a phrase. Good luck, oh! by the way it take 7 yrs before you are animal free and a lot of determination to get it right. Please keep in touch.

Answer 8

As a parent, my concern would be your long-term health. Do serious research about what it really takes to get the right amounts of nutrients you need. Think down the road what your nutritional needs are if/when you decide to get pregnant and what it takes to prevent osteoperosis. That may seem like WAY down the road, but NOW is the time when you need to think of preventing it. Draw up some example menus to show your parents and how they provide everything you need to be healthy. Also, you can't expect your mom to prepare two seperate meals. Be prepared to do that for yourself since you are definately old enough to do so.

Answer 9

Just tell them. But do your homework first so you can set their fears to rest.

It is very easy to work around a diet like your mom is preparing.

I was raised on the traditional North American beef and pork diet. Veggies had to be steamed into oblivion. It was not until I learned about steroids and antibiotics in meat in the 1970's that I stopped meat. I maintained a balanced diet by just making a few changes.

I get my protein from beans and dairy and careful combining of foods. I notice a big difference in my body odor, and the quality of my perspiration. When you eat meat you do not notice how greasy or oily it is, or how differently you smell. After all,animal parts are rotting in your digestive system before being absorbed in your Large Intestines. Rather a gross thought, isn't it, knowing dead animals are rotting in your tummy? The other difference is that, since meat sits in the tummy for so much longer than veggies and grains, your body feels heavier. Ever notice how tired you get after a heavy meat meal?

You will notice a large drop in your grocery bills if you are not buying meat too! Tell your mom that. Cottage cheese is far easier on the wallet than roast beef.

I found it very easy to change over Between knowing what was in meat and how it sat in the tummy, and watching a few programmes about illness and meat, made the transition rather easy. Another bonus is that foods begin to taste better. You will find new flavours in vegetables and fruit that you never noticed before. You become more conscious of your foods. You might go to much healthier bread for example because you learn it tastes better and has more nutritional value. Whatever you do, do not start to preach to your parents.

There are many common meals that do not require meat. Macaroni and cheese. Egg dishes. A million varieties of soups. Eating these entrees, served with toast and a glass of milk, you are set nutritionally. A PJB on whole wheat with a glass of milk is a great meal. The sites in the Source List below are chock full of excellent foods, including some for those transiting from carnivore to vegetarian. Occasionally I have the urge for a slab of white fish and I will eat it. There is a strong emphasis on nuts and seeds, but beware of calories. Eat them in moderation. The same goes for cheeses.

The hardest thing I had in the beginning was the attitudes of those around me. They seemed to worry and fret if I was there for dinner and they had beef on the menu. Me? I just ate more veggies and asked for a slice of cheese if possible and did not care what they ate. I still love the smell of a roast in the oven; I just don't eat it! I got the usual, "Man was meant to eat flesh" stuff as well. I never bothered to engage in something that is such a personal decision. Eventually, they all stopped.

I am including a few good sites on vegetarian foods and ideas. I hope that I have helped you and feel free to email me if you wish.

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/vegetarian...

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/top.aspx...

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/goingveg.html...
This is an EXCELLENT site. More than recipes for you.

http://www.eartheasy.com/eat_vegetarian....
Wonderful looking meals!

http://www.veg.ca/living/recipes.html...

http://vegetarian.lifetips.com/...

http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/nutshell.htm...
Another exceptional site.

http://www.veganfamily.co.uk/main.html...

http://www.andrews.edu/nufs/change%20to%...
This site is for transiting from meat diet to veg diet. Some very good ideas.

http://www.lifescript.com/channels/food_...
Vegetarianism for meat eaters!

Answer 10

Just tell them. That's what I did. There's no sense in avoiding it! But you should read a couple books at your local library and go to tons of websites so you know what to say to any question they might ask you. I recommend that you read "Living Among Meat Eaters" by Carol J. Adams. Also, go to all of the websites below:

http://www.goveg.com/ <-- read everything
http://www.peta.com/
http://www.vegcooking.com/
http://www.meat.org/
Yahoo! Answers



Once you're a vegetarian, you should know most of these by heart (although it isn't easy)


http://www.vegcooking.com/VegFastFood.asp
http://www.caringconsumer.com/resources_ingredients_list.asp


Good luck!