Vegetarian question?

Question

Okay; so. I've been raised on meat, all 12 years of my life.
It's extremely hard to stop, as almost everything out here involves meat. [burgers, hotdogs, steak, etc.] Alot of my favorite foods have chicken in them, as well. [Panda Express, Eegees, Subway.]

I've seen all the peta videos about going vegan and vegetarian, and have been really determined to go veg, and it really touched me, and pointed me in the right direction..

The problem is, how will I do this with a family full of meat eaters? This is going to be SO hard. Please post detailed answers and anything that has helped you or you think will help me. Thank you!!!

Answer 1

Its all in how you think about it, my dear. My 12 year old daughter is a veggie, and often eats at her nanna's house, where there is always meat. She just eats extra of the side dishes, thats all. She no longer even likes the smell of meat, but realizes that most people eat it, and she just has to respects that. Just make sure you get protein from other sources, such as beans. If you stick to your guns, you will quickly lose the taste for meat, and will actually be put off by it. We no longer like the smell or concept of meat. Good luck sweetie!

Answer 2

My wife is faced the same questions when she decided to be a veg when she was 16. She just decided to do it and has been doing it ever since. She's 29 now. She usually eats all the sides that her mom makes and then just pops in a fake burger/hot dog/chicken or something else to go with it. You could always make your own meals and this will solve everything. They may make fun of you at first for not conforming, but be strong and explain to them that we all must consider the consequences of our actions and emphasize that you are, they are the ones that are not. Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a defense against attacks of meat eaters (info on the consequences of a meat diet, the environmental impacts of raising cattles, the ethical questions and many other things). Be knowledgeable so that you can face any criticism of it. good luck.

Answer 3

I would totally research the veggie / vegan diet... Before you began.
I became a veggie and researched the whole idea first.. Go to the Library and get info, cookbooks . I began very slowly and gave up red meat.. then pork... then chicken and so on..
I was a vegan for 2 years and really enjoyed it but it sure was tough.. I went back to the lact-ovo-Vegetarian life style..
You can do it but you need the support of your parents and for sure the support of the person who does the grocery shopping!
As you research your new lifestyle share the great points of the animal cruelty and the great health facts about vegetarians..
As for the meat you think you'll miss out on there are tons of "fake" meatless products that are yummy..
Good luck and be strong.. Research first..

Answer 4

I have grown up in a family of meat eaters, I personally never ate meat. I would leave it one my plate or as I got older forgo it all together. One of the options that you have is that when your family is having dinner you can choose to have more of the veggies and not put the meat on your plate. If your family is having something like hamburgers or hotdogs you have two choices when it comes to not eating meat there, you can possibly convince your family to purchase the soydogs and bean burgers (my personal fav) or you can make some yummy alternatives (I'll give you some recipes at the end).
Also even if your ultimate goal is to be vegan, I would suggest making the transition slowly, such as being vegetarian and eating eggs and dairy, then cutting out eggs or milk, and then finally becoming outright vegan if you so choose to take that path. It will be easier for you to handle and is the path of least resistance in most cases.
Instead of trying to change your family's dietary style by forcing them to cook vegan or vegetarian for you, you can offer to cook some meals that they may like.

Banana Dogs
Ingredients-Hotdog buns, bananas (peeled), strawberry jelly (squeeze bottle is easiest)
How to make-Place the banana into the bun and the drizzle the jelly like you would ketchup onto the banana to make a healthy alternative to the traditional hotdog.

Bean Burgers
Ingredients-Black beans (canned is easiest), breadcrumbs (just enough to make it more solid)
How to make-Mash the beans until they are like a paste and then add some bread crumbs until you are able to form the mixture into a patty. Place the patty in the frying pan and cook. After you remove the patty place it on a traditional bun and top with everything that you would normally put on a hamburger. (if you want to avoid dairy and still want cheese they do make soy cheese)

Also you may want to check out these site to help you find other recipes and information.
http://www.vrg.org/recipes/
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Vegetarian/Main.aspx
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/nicaragua/1105/vegetarian.html
http://vegweb.com/
http://vegkitchen.com/
http://www.vnv.org.au/Recipes.htm

Answer 5

It was hard for me going veg when I was an adult - I cannot imainge how hard it will be for you being 12! (seeing how you don't control the groceries).
My suggestion would be to first do your research. Formulate a solid reason why you want to go veg. (sounds like you kinda have one!). Show your parents some statistics about vegetarians and vegetarianism - health benefits, ease of the lifestyle, etc. A lot of parents freak out b/c they think their child will be mal-nurished. Reassure them that you won't waste away. :-)
Also, make up some veg menus. Write down the things they would need from the grocery store in order for you to do this. Let them see that you thought this through.
If they see that you have a plan, they may be more accepting of your choice.
I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 6

Well , I can't give you any advice but can actually say I am in the same boat as you. I have been a meat eater for almost 23 years but recently went on PETAs site. Now I m changing what I am eating. My whole family oves milk but al I can say is take it one day ata time and good luck (I know we will both need it)!

Answer 7

Try to find recipes where you can substitute soy tempeh or tofu for meat. Such as Stir-Fry. Make up enough for both the meat eaters and then save a little for your non-meat. Soy milk (recc. vanilla flavor) doesn't take up much room in the fridge, either, compared to another gallon of milk, and Soy Dream is really good alternative to ice cream. There are also alot of non-meat choices out there made by Morningstar (like corn dogs!).

Start out slowly and give yourself time if you don't like everything. Try everything twice and don't beat yourself up if you crave a hamburger one day and eat one.

Answer 8

What you can do is maybe use a section in the refrigerator for you, there you will store like veggie stuff. But the thing is even if you are a veggie its pretty hard. Maybe what you should do is slowly become a veggie, because its very very hard to become a veggie cold turkey way... so, just take a day at a time to be come a vegetarian... Everything takes time...

Answer 9

dude we are all rasied on meat, i ate meeat for 26 years then i decided to quit, it took me 1 year to completely quit, now i feel great, the truth is if you really want to quit, after 1 week, you won't feel the need for meat

you still can eat panda express, just order vegg delux, and subway got vegg subs, they're just as good as the ones with meat in it.

also my family is full of meat eaters, at the start of my vegetarian advanture they' were full on angist it, they sneak meat into my food, i caught em time and time, and eveutully they quit, and after 1 year they now eat what i eat as often as possible, they are all still meat eater, but they are eating full vegetarian meals every now and then (i didn't force em) they just want to eat my food because it's so good.
also dont' try to convert your family, they won't listen

Answer 10

I would recommend you to let your family try being vegetarian for a week or so and let them feel the joy of not eating fellow living entities. But if this odes not work than I would tell you to be secret about being vegetarian. If your family members offer you something with meat in it, tell them that you are on a meat-free diet (there are such things!).