how do I convince my parents that I going vegetarian isn't bad?

Question

my parents wont let me go vegetarian (even those I absolutely cannot stand the thought of eating meat or eating some poor helpless animal). I've always tried to convince them that I wont die if I do go vegetarian (or so they say I will). They've always told me its unhealthy to not eat meat, but I still think its unhealthy to eat meat. Who's right?

Answer 1

well come to the world of vegetarian because of you more and more animals will save their lives :-
In nature, big fish eats a little fish because its mind is not developed as much as of human who can discriminate and restraint to a great deal. Humans can also rationalize what is right and wrong and so why should they support abuse or killing of innocent animals? Plus, there is a big difference between natural birth and human breeding; and even bigger difference between animals killing each other and mass killing by humans.
The process of raising animals for food involves bringing them in this world by artificial insemination; separating mothers from their young ones; raising them in cages and confined spaces; feeding them unnatural food contaminated with chemicals, hormones, and antibiotics; and finally killing them at a young age. All these actions result in a desensitized attitude and the suppression of compassion at the conscience.
Proteins: Body's protein needs can be provided by either animal or plant sources. Mixed protein diet obtained from various plant sources is better than animal protein and is recommended in diabetes, renal diseases and liver diseases. Mixed protein diet from different plant sources has been the pattern of diet in India for all vegetarians.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are mainly found in plant foods; like cereals, grains, fresh and dry fruits, legumes, vegetable, greens, nuts etc. plant carbohydrates include' large amounts of starches, sugar and fibers which are important for gut functions. The body is better suited to a high carbohydrate diet than a low carbohydrate diet. In fact 55% of the food intake should be carbohydrate. All animal products do not contain carbohydrate which is essential for body.

Fat: Plant fats differ from animal fats in two different ways 1) they are cholesterol free 2) they generally contain more polyunsaturated fat and less saturated fats. Plant fats usually have higher polyunsaturated fat value than animal fats.

A diet which is low in cholesterol and which contains fat of a high PIS value is associated with a lower incident of coronary health disease.

Vitamins and Minerals: plant foods are rich in many vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is obtained by exposure of skin to sun light and this is not a problem in India.

Calcium: The vegetarians can meet their needs for calcium from dairy products. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Dark green vegetables are good sources of Riboflavin as are legumes and whole grain cereal.

Iron: The problem of iron deficiency is relatively common but vitamin C significantly enhances absorption of iron hence it is advisable for vegetarians to include with each meal a food high in vitamin C which as lime, citrus fruits or juices.

Zinc: Zinc is found in large number of plant foods.

Fiber: Fiber is found only in vegetarian food like whole grain cereals, legumes, greens, fruits, vegetable etc.

Thus in vegetarian foods all requirement of nutrition for body growth and maintenance is fulfilled. One can have a complete and balanced diet provided we take enough food which is as close to nature as possible in maintaining sturdy and disease free body. It is equally helpful in curing many diseases.

ADVANTAGES OF VEGETARIAN DIET:
More & more evidence is surfacing that directly links a prolonged non- vegetarian diet to diseases as cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, asthma just to name a few.

1. LOGEVITY: Vegetarian can expect to live 4-10 years longer then the non-vegetarians.

" Source: Seventh day Adventists study

2. LESS HEART DISEASE: Because of low fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content of the vegetarian diet the risk of heart disease is lowered. High blood cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease.

3. LESS CANCER: Up to 40% of all cancers are diet related. Cancer death rates have been associated with obesity and high fat / low fiber diet. Vitamin A & C are thought to be protective against colon cancer. Low fat diets protect against prostrate and breast cancer. Indoles, lignans, isoflavones, protease inhibitors which are present in plant foods and shown to be potent anti carcinogens.

4. LESS BOWEL DISEASE: Diverticular disease and appendicitis occur more frequently with low fiber intake as in meat diet.

5. LEES OBESITY & LESS INCIDENCE OF DIABETES: It is easier to plan a low fat diet for a vegetarian then for a meat eater. The fiber in plant food dilutes the energy & provides a satisfying meal without all the calories. Diabetes over the age of 40 seems to be related to obesity.

Answer 2

Being a vegetarian is actually healthier than eating meat. I have been a vegetarian my whole life (though I'm now a Vegan), and I'm very healthy. I get sick a lot less than my meat-eating friends and all my blood work is always perfect. Peoples biggest concern when you tell them you want to go veggie is that you wont get enough protein. But most vegetarians get enough,or more than enough protein you just have to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."-Albert Einstein

Do some reading:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4777

http://www.diet-and-health.net/articles.php?cont=vegetarian+diets

Answer 3

You're right, it's unhealthy to eat meat & a vegetarian diet can be much better for you if you go about it with some thought & planning. Don't give up on your parents. Keep the dialog open & speak to them in a calm & mature way so they know you're serious about this & not following a whim or some fad. Unfortunately most vegetarian characters ppl see on TV are shown in a bad light-- they seem flaky, self-righteous or not very smart & usually don't stay veg for long. Tell them about real ppl who are, or were veg-- Sir Paul McCartney, Betty White, Leonardo DaVinci, Einstein & many others. Ask them to read books like 'Diet for a New America' or 'Becoming Vegetarian.' Let them know you're serious, committed & sincere & try to follow the healthiest veg. lifestyle that you can. Good luck with this, I know it can be a tough situation.

Answer 4

Well as a kid living at home all you can really do is just not eat the meat they give you. I am not vegetarian but can understand there are many older people who just don't get the whole vegetarian thing. I do know if you are serious about it you should look up dietary requirements so that you make sure you are getting the proper amount of protein in your daily diet (just eating fruits and veggies doesn't cut it).

If you are serious and stick to your guns then in time your parents will eventually get tired of bugging you (but you will have to endure them giving you a hard time for a while).

You decide for yourself what you want to do. I eat meat but also know that it is not unhealthy not to eat meat either. I do have some friends who call themselves vegetarians but they eat fish (sushi, etc.). Anyways, just my thoughts.

Answer 5

It's not unhealthy to give up meat...
Just learn as much as you can about vegetarian nutrition, and maybe try to prove to them that being a vegetarian is healthy...
I just wrote a blog about this like a week ago... I have some helpful links on there...
(I would give you the links right here, but my computer is not cooperating, just go to the [360]link in my sources[below] and go to my blog... I have some links and some suggestions on how to tell your parents :])
Hope it helps

Answer 6

Veggies Rock is a good book about why it's healthy to be a vegetarian and what kind of nutrients you need. Show you parents something like that book and explain to them that it's actually healthier than being non-vegetarian.

Answer 7

it's not unhealthy to eat meat, it's unhealthy to not get protein in your body, and you can do that without meat. like tofu and other things. tell your parents that and set up an appointment with a doctor to prove to them it's ok.

Answer 8

The only thing derived from meat is protein.

Eat something else with protein and ignore them.

Answer 9

you can be vegetarian and unhealthy if you dont get a balanced meal, and that's what your parents may be afraid of. Look up some vegetarian friends that your parents can relate to.

Answer 10

nobody is really "right"... tell your parents that they should accept your decision. Tell them that you will continue to eat healthy and get all the nutrition you eat. Meat is part of the protein food group... things such as tofu can give you enough protein. One of my friends is a vegan (same thing except she doesn't eat fish or eggs) and she is perfectly healthy!

Answer 11

unless their force feeding you buy shoving forkfulls of pork down your throut, they can't make you eat meat. If you do turn veggie though, be sure to do your research, find supplements and alternative protien sources to balance out your diet. if you show your parents that you know your facts then they might accept your lifestyle choice. My guess is that they know nothing about vegitarianism other than what they have infered about it.