How do you handle?

Question

About 2 months ago my husband and I decided that our family were going to become vegetarians. We have had no problems in doing so, our kids are doing very well with it also. My question is how do you all handle the rude comments that are made when people find out you don't eat meat. We have heard everything from we are retards to we are starving our children and they are going to die because "God wants us to eat meat and we are not natural by not doing so". It is very annoying and really is starting to make me mad. I am not a circus freak who has horns growing out of my head or anything like that but that is how people make me feel sometimes, when they have to bring it to everyone's attention that I am a vegetarian. Any suggestions???

It seems like everyone has something to say about this..family, friends and the idiot behind me in the store that notices there are pounds and pounds of veggies in my my cart but no meat.

Answer 1

Your kids will probably enjoy very good health, as will you, with your new lifestyle. I know vegetarian kids & adults who have been meat-free their entire lives & I don't know any who have had health problems because of this. There are several good books about vegetarian nutrition for kids so if you're in doubt consult one or more of them.
I'm sorry that so many people seem upset, confused or threatened by your vegetarianism. It happens to many of us & in my case my family eventually got used to it. I've had rude comments from total strangers, as well,including one woman who commented "I thought vegetarians were supposed to be skinny" (I was a bit overweight @ the time).
I've also been told that God "wants us to eat meat" as if this is an unwritten Commandment. A teenaged vegetarian once told me that her friends had said the same thing to her, but when she quoted Bible passages to the contrary, they called her a "demon"! Actually, there are several books you might want to consult that deal with vegetarianism & various religions. When my SO became vegetarian during our first year together, his family was aghast because they were convinced that this was somehow un-Christian (although some of them were already aware of the health benefits). There were a few outright insults, some questions & a couple of very emotional phone conversations. Apparently they did a little research on their own, because they eventually became more understanding. There are still a few persons who try to find fault with my vegetarianism but I realize they simply don't understand & don't allow them to uspet me.
People have actually called you "retards" because you stopped eating meat? Does that put Albert Einstein or Leonardo da Vinci in that category too?

Answer 2

People are extremely attached to what they eat. When someone eats differently (especially a way that is perceived healthier) they feel threatened.

There are studies out there backed by prestigious organizations and Doctors that state that a well-planned vegetarian or vegan lifestyle is safe and healthy for anyone - infant to adult.

It can be kind of annoying to deal with sometimes, but you will get used to it. Right now you're going through a transitional phase where everyone you know is learning about your change in diet. After a while the people you see all the time will most likely either accept it or drop the subject and it won't be a constant struggle for you.

A couple of books that may interest you regarding nutrition that support the vegetarian lifestyle:

Disease Proof Your Child or Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell
The Pleasure Trap by Lisle & Goldhamer

Answer 3

I'm sorry that you're catching grief about your lifestyle. I too know how you feel. My family is all about eating meat, and think that it is the "right" thing to do. I became a vegetarian about 6 months ago, and I absolutely love it. I usually give them the health answer, even though I am a vegetarian for ethical reasons. I just don't feel like arguing my point of view to people who have no inclination to even consider my opinion.
I have started to give the reason that it's for religious reasons. When they ask what religion, you can choose anyone that fits. Here is a website about vegetarianism and religion.
http://www.ivu.org/religion/
People have a harder time arguing with your religious beliefs then with what you choose to eat. Stay strong and know that you are making the right choice for your family.

Answer 4

I'm a pescetarian actually, and I hear all the time, "Why do you think that pigs and cows and chickens are alive, but not fish?" because I eat seafood only (plus dairy and eggs), and then a normal vegetarian diet.

Basically my answer to them is, "I'm not hounding you for eating meat, so I don't see why you should be so rude to me."

People assume that every vegetarian in the world is going to give a big lecture about how bad meat is for you, or how it's wrong to kill animals just to have them as a food source...

The truth is, many vegetarians keep quiet about how they eat and don't give an answer until they're asked first. I find the vegetarians, for the most part, are kinder in general than the carnivores.

Answer 5

First and foremost: do NOT lash out. Most of the people that hound you about being vegetarian feel threatened. They think that you are trying to prove you're better than them. Keep calm and remind them that it is your life and your diet, and they have their lives and their diets.

And also, if someone gives you the "bible says" nonsense, ask them to find you a passage that says humans were meant to eat meat. not a passage in which humans are eating meat. They may try this when they find the bible doesn't actually say "man should eat meat". It says man should eat plants, however.
I think it's in Genesis, but I'm not too sure... My knowledge of Christianity is limited, I'm a Buddhist.

Answer 6

That's a difficult one to deliver a unmarried reply to however as an alternative calls for a few exploring. In thought you try to persist with the appropriate approaches of handling hostile occasions, well mannered, civil, calm and so forth.... But whilst it comes all the way down to it if the disorders are provoked to the factor that they emerge as burning disorders then the survival intuition kicks in and I continually desire that after that occurs that I have no longer made a entire and utter crisis of matters with my response. I am pronouncing that I emotionally categorical myself, could have got to cry, could have got to rant, could have got to confront after which blow off the steam relying... If it's some thing unhappy like melanoma or a center assault finishing but yet another existence then for me in my view it's internalizes. I take that to center and it alterations and results my each and every concept and movement however underneath the outside and I do not manipulate, it's an instinctual response telling me to are living my existence as actual as I can considering you'll be able to be long gone in an instantaneous. Keep smiling again at you....:)

Answer 7

As a fellow vegetarian, I hate to argue with some one unless I know I will prove my point better with out the hassle of being terribly embarrassed. I usually just say some thing like, " Well eating meat is your choice and being a vegetarian is mine." or " What good does it do you to care about what I eat?"

Answer 8

Maybe its the way you tell people ?

Maybe this is not you, but it is true than many people who are new to being veggies tend to come across as "holier than thou" sometimes.

I've been veggie for 27 years and never had anyone insult me ( other than this forum ).

In fact, i bet 95% of people that know me have no clue i'm veggie.

and in 30 years of supermarket shopping, NO-ONE in the line-up has ever commented on whats in my basket. Were you really just standing there and they had a go at you because you had no meat in your trolley ????? Change shop - easy.

Maybe i just come from a politer part of the world, who knows !

The only question i ever got was from a checkout girl who wanted to come to my house because my basket was full of cakes and wine ! ( she did, but thats another story ;-) )

Answer 9

I find it so interesting that people feel they have a right to express their opinions so freely. Being polite will probably only go so far. Arm yourself with information. Research facts of the real food coming out of the BIG FARM systems..nasty not for the faint of heart, but you may have to resort to telling them about it to get them to lay off you.
Vegetarians are much healthier than the general population & Vegans even more so.
Books by John Robbins are very helpful, he pulls no punches.

the 1st one is Dr. John McDougall, he has a great newsletter(free) go into his archives they are full of facts, health tips, recipes.
http://www.drmcdougall.com/
The 2nd. Is a long time healing group, that has some amazing 1st hand stories. Again free with lost of tips, health news, recipes, great archives to learn from.
http://www.hacres.com/home/home.asp

Lots of luck. Slainté(to your health)

Answer 10

well think about it are you realy starving your kids? there eating right so then dont worie aobut it. you and your family will be much better health wise then the people that eat meat. just explain to them why you chose to have a vegetarian diet ask them why they chose to eat a meat diet see if they can come up with one. most of them can only come up with becaues its good. atleast you can come up with a real ancer (hopfuly). if they are your friends and they cant support you then i doubt you should be talking to them. you dont gotta go around telling people your a vegetarian you can but it just causes more drama. if they ask about it then like i said just explain your opinion thats all you can realy do. and then just ignore the people that dont suport your disision.