My mother believes I am going through a phase despite the fact that I have been a vegetarian for a while. My mother and I have always been close, but for some reason, she cannot accept that I am a vegetarian. How can I explain to her that I cannot be forced to eat meat?
2007-05-07 12:41:57 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
My daughter became a vegetarian a few years ago at the age of 10! At first I was very worried about protein and iron. I read up on the vegetarian lifestyle and became more relaxed. I have since given up meat myself over 3 years ago.
If you want your mom to take you seriously, show her you are serious - not just going along with a "fad". Show her some health articles regarding a vegetarian diet, talk to your doctor about being vegetarian and ask for any vitamins that might be recommended (be careful - depending on how strict you are, some vitamins contain gelatin).
Also, as another poster mentioned, cook for your family. A simple pasta, sauce, and veggie crumbles is a great family meal. Try recreating a family favorite with a meat substitute.
The biggest thing to remember is that you can't lecture your mom into taking you seriously. Show her you are serious and eventually she will come around!
2007-05-07 22:52:10 · answer #1 · answered by Caitylane 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I too am a teenage vegetarian and I has the same problem. Here are my tips:
1. Decide what your reasons are for being a vegetarian. Is it for health? ethics? global warming? You should decide on a specific reason before talking to your mom
2. Research the benefits of vegetarianism, both in terms of health and worldwide.
3. Present your findings in a PowerPoint form to your mother. I know it sounds stupid, but it works really well.
4. It is a good idea to start small and work up. Maybe first cut red meat out of your diet. Then a few days later, stop eating pork and poultry, etc. If you do this for a little while it gives your mom time to adjust her menu.
5. Offer to make your own meals when it is convenient, and buy a vegetarian cookbook or two. I like the Betty Crocker Vegetarian Cookbook.
If you demonstrate to your mother that you are serious about this, she should give in. Don't whine, just stay calm and present your argument. Even if she doesn't take you seriously at first, if you stay with it for long enough she will realize thatt you are serious. Good Luck!
2007-05-07 20:57:58 · answer #2 · answered by whataporpoise 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your mother probably came from a family that believed that meat was a food group all by itself, and without it, you won't survive! Now and days though, we know that meat is part of the protein group, which includes legumes, beans, tofu, nuts, etc. Ask your mother exactly why she can't accept you being vegetarian. If she's worried about your health and you won't get enough protein, tell her you'd like the two of you to see a nutritionist together, and have them work through a diet plan for you. That way, the nutritionist can explain to your mother the benefits of a vegetarian diet, and you are showing her that you're taking the responsible steps of becoming one. The nutritionist can explain that protein does come in other forms than meat and that's it's possible to live a very healthy diet as a vegetarian.
2007-05-07 22:43:46 · answer #3 · answered by chicyuna 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You've just got to give it more time before she'll take you seriously. But in the meantime, you can take some initiative and offer to cook a vegetarian meal for your family. It'll show that you're serious and that you're resourceful enough to cook for yourself. I know what you're going through, but my mom accepted it after a couple of years. I'm 22 now, and haven't eaten meat for 10 years. Now she knows it's not a phase :)
PS--Be ready because every time you so much as get the sniffles, she'll say it's because you're not getting enough iron or protein. Just watch.
2007-05-07 19:48:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Show her the science and convince her that you aren't going to preach to anyone (show her how you are going to get your protein and show her how much less fat you will be consuming). If she sees the healthy benefits, maybe she will be less suspicious (a lot of people view vegetarians like religious fanatics, that they preach, won't listen to the other side and don't understand the science, sort of like Gore with global warming). There are a lot of benefits to being a vegetarian, I wish I could do it, whenever I've tried, I've been much healthier than when I eat a lot of red meat. I personally would never cut out fish, but I try to limit my poultry and red meat and I feel better when I do.
2007-05-07 19:52:57 · answer #5 · answered by Yo it's Me 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's about her accepting you as an individual who can make her own choices; a person who is growing up and choosing her own way in life. Parents usually have a hard time with this sort of thing. Very typical. From my experience, it takes years and years and still they don't get over it. So, don't try to convince her, because is she doesn't want to listen, it'll never happen. So, just relax, and let her come to you. You can't force her to understand, she has to do that herself.
2007-05-08 04:40:02 · answer #6 · answered by Scocasso ! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a mother she should know that being a vegetarian is staying healthy and sinless. Maybe ask her to join your group for a while, and you can introduce her to someone her age, who is also a vegetarian, then later convert her to your way of eating, that will keep you two more healthy and happy.
2007-05-07 21:20:50 · answer #7 · answered by emma l 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can tell her that Hitler was a Vegan!
hehehe (but it's true)
Actually much of human cruelty is derived from animal cruelty. Meat isn't healthy, and ask your mother where cows get protein.
I finally convinced my father by taking a blood test and physical and as it turned out I had a higher white blood cell count and a higher protein level than the average person my age. My cholesterol was exceptionally low, My doctor was shocked at how relaxed my heart was. I also never had an acne problem, had clear white eyes, and resolved my weight problem (which was minimal anyway).
Make a bet with your mom, that is you turn up healthier she has to be a vegitarian!
2007-05-07 19:46:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Tell your mother that you are your own person and you make your own personal decisions. It's not like your starving yourself. Tell her why you really don't want to eat meat. Tell her that you can not eat something that used to be alive. Prove her wrong.
2007-05-07 19:50:49 · answer #9 · answered by Bella 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm having the same problem my parents just don't get it. tell her it's something you have to do. you wanna help the plantet and if she can't respected that then her is not the person you thought she was. she can't force you to go anything. tell her about the ups to being vegetarian and hope that works
2007-05-07 20:37:45 · answer #10 · answered by Mikki Mixx.[morgan.] 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋