Becoming a vegetarian...?

Question

Last week after a lot of recearch I decided that I wanted to become a vegetarian. I knew that my family would not take my decision seriously so this past week i've kept it a secret. Saturday we were having a barbeque with no vegetarian options so I had to tell them. Like I guessed they took it as a joke and claimed that i'm just trying to be a pain in the a*s. My dad is now trying to get me to crack ny making all my favorite meat foods. Today he made eggs benedict which we normally only have once or twice a year on special occasions. He refuses to make me veggie dishes and wont buy me things I need to make them myself. I don't know what to do I really want to stay a vegetarian but with so little support I don't know if i'll be able to keep this lifestyle. What can I do to get my family to take me seriously and provide me with the support I need to make this work.

Answer 1

This is almost EXACTLY how my family reacted when I became a vegetarian five years ago. They didn't take my decision seriously at all, poked fun at me, and tried to tempt me to eat meat. Sit down and have a talk with your father. Tell him that you know it seems like a phase, and you know it's going to be difficult, but you'd really like a chance. Tell him that you'd love to go to the grocery store with him and buy some ingredients for healthy vegetarian recipes, which you'll find yourself and prepare yourself. Tell him you'll make sure that you're eating a balanced diet with plenty of alternative protein and nutritional sources. Let him know that you're serious about this. It won't necessarily guarantee his support -- my mother was still VERY skeptical -- but it might give you enough of a chance to get started.

After a year or so, my family finally started to understand that I was serious about my decision and that I was really committed to this lifestyle. I still make all my own food (a lot easier now that I can drive myself to the store), and sometimes even make family dinners. Sometimes they still give me grief when I can't go out to eat with them because there are no vegetarian options where they're going (you'd be surprised how many places this is true; always research online before going, and know that just because the restaurant lists it as vegetarian doesn't make it so -- it may contain gelatin or rennet, or have beef or chicken stock in it). But they generally let me do my own thing, and I've even heard them tell their friends that they really respect my dedication -- something I NEVER would have thought they would say initially.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Maybe if you sit them all down and tell them the reasons that being a vegetarian is good, like saving the animals, etc., they'll understand a little better.
I don't know if this would help much, but if you just keep on not eating meat, they might just have to givein eventually for fear you won't eat and because it'll show them that you are really, REALLY serious about being a vegetarian.

Answer 3

About 6 months ago I became a vegetarian and went through that with my parents too. They didn't take me seriously at all for a while. They didn't force me to eat meat but they made me make my own food. They were not very helpful at the beginning but gradually they became more and more supportive. If you really want to do this then "stick to your guns."

Answer 4

Why have you become a vegetarian? Is it because of animal abuse reasons?
If so, stick to what your doing. If you really beleive in it, you don't need any support from your family. Go solo.
I'm half way there, becoming one. My family doesn't support me either. My mom says that if i become a vegetarian, i will have to cook my own meals. she also thinks that the only reason i am doing this is because my best friend is a vegetarian, and she thinks i am copying her. i have no support what so ever.
but if you really feel that strongly about it, you can do it.
eventually they will realize that you are a vegetarian, and its not a joke. dont give in to what they have to say.
goodluck :]

Answer 5

Let them know about your research findings. Did you discover you had to have a source of B-12, especially important if you are a vegan? Did you think about getting the necessary nourishment by eating the right vegetarian foods? Let them know why you think being a vegetarian is important. Maybe if you talk you'll find out how to persuade and influence them.

Answer 6

Hey dear... come on i am a veggie... I have so many non veg friends... I really dont feel anything about anyone eating non veg food.... I just get upset sometimes for them when i get a feeling that they are eating some animal or bird that lived walked and flew one day... I really dont get any hard feelings at any of my non veg friends. To be frank, my best friend is a non veg... In fact on the lighter side, they make fun of me saying i live on grass and leaves!! lol.... Being veggie or non veg is just a way of living darling... I dont feel people are to be discriminated anything based on that.... I think someone hurt you bad for being a non veg or discriminated something to you for eating non veg food... Why do you let someone else's words or thinking affect you this much... dont hate us Veggie so much :-(( It hurts....... Live the life your way... Eat what ever you want..... As i tell everyone - ' Rest of the world....out of the window!!!'

Answer 7

i have the same issue. i've decided to ease into being vegetarian meaning that whenever I can, I'd take the closest thing to a vegetarian meal. I'm going full out soon, whenever I move out. thats prolly the best option, is waiting until you go to university

Answer 8

vegetarian

Answer 9

Pull your Mom aside one day and tell her you have a secret to share with her. Your secret is that meat makes you want to have sex, that it is an uncontrollable urge but that when you eat soy based protein and veggies you are calm and enjoy reading.

Answer 10

I actually think you should eat meat. I was a vegetarian once....for the afternoon. If it's a diet reason, meat isn't bad to eat. Just don't eat too much of it.