Am i a vegetarian?

Question

ok so for the most part i eat veggies, fruits, nuts, and whole organic foods. But there is the very rare time like once a month that i have no choice but to eat a fish or chicken because my family is anti-raw, anti-vegetarian, and anti-vegan. I do not have dairy products or egg products unless forced to by my parents.

Am i a vegetarian or vegan?

I just want to make it clear my family punishes me if i don't eat to their satisfation(I DO NOT EAT MEAT PURPOSELY) I come from a portuguese family where meat, fish, and dairy are their main food groups.

I have explained numerous times to them in a respectable manner with facts to back me up, but they are in complete denial and are stuborn

Answer 1

You are not a vegetarian.
I would say you are working toward being a vegetarian though. Vegetarians eat no animals. Vegans eat no animals or animal products.
:)

I am sorry your parents are forcing you to eat meat; that can be very hard for someone who is working toward her beliefs.
I am not sure how old you are, but sometimes kids get more freedoms when they can get jobs, especially if you can buy your own fake meats and other foods that might make your parents satisfied.

You also have the option of refusing the meat and getting grounded. You can also leave information around the house that shows the nutritional benefits of the lifestyle you want to pursue. Not that I am all for giving parents a hard time, but maybe they would get over the forcing you to eat meat.

Otherwise, you may have to wait until you are 18 to be a vegetarian, but until then, don't give up on trying.
:)

Answer 2

No, you are not a vegetarian or a vegan.

Vegetarians and vegans stick to thier diets.

A person is not a vegetarian whenever they are not eating meat. That would make every meat-eater a vegetarian at some time during the day !

You are a meat-eater than restricts meat intake, you might want to ask yourself why you want the vegetarian label.

Your additional comments sounds like you are in denial about what you CHOOSE to eat. No one can force you to eat meat, if they do, phone the police - its assult.

When you say "once a month", surely you realise you will not die if you skip the meaty-meal when it served ? Many people go with food for days so "once a month" is hardly a difficult thing if you have any conviction to your vegetarian values.

"you have no choice"...what, like you'll die if you dont eat that meat this very second.....don't think so, of course you have a choice.

I wish these people who keep posting standard cut'n'paste irrelavent replies would go away, don't you ? We've got 2 of them now, is it a bloody competition or something ?

Answer 3

If you have to ask, the answer is probably no. Plus, you do have fish/chicken/dairy/eggs at times. Your parents probably really can't force you to eat anything if you don't want to; just explain that it is your personal choice not to eat that calmly and respectfully so as not to offend them. I try not to put too much emphasis on labels and say that I do what I can as far as the health of my body and the environment. I do eat fish now and again as well, as well as dairy and eggs, so I don't worry about calling myself a vegetarian since I know it is inaccurate. You could say that you are "mostly" vegetarian, or that you only eat animal products sometimes. Either way, it is lots more than what a lot of other people do, so it's great! Good job and good luck. :)

Answer 4

I've been veggie since I was 8, I am now 26.
I have had many, many debates over the years with interested people and sh*$ stirrers alike.
At the end of the day, you have to do what you can. If you were stranded in the middle of nowhere and the only thing to eat was an animal - of course you would! If you cannot afford to buy non-leather shoes (which can be very expensive in the UK) then buy leather ones.
You have saved animals and been proactive by avoiding meat when you can.
YOU ONLY HAVE ONE FAMILY. And if you feel that avoiding meals with them is not worth the one animal it costs you then you are chosing to be a normal sociable human.
Don't be hard on yourself for it, you do more than most to help animals.

Although, you may feel empowered by standing up to your family - what do you think?

Answer 5

Well neither because of the rare chicken, fish meals, vegetarian's don't eat meat or fish, vegan's don't eat meat or fish, or dairy products. your close to becoming vegan though considering you rarely eat dairy or egg products.

Answer 6

I see that everyone's saying how you're not really a vegetarian, and i guess that's true, but you're still making a difference.
It sounds like you really limit your meat consumption, and at least that saves some animals. Every little bit helps.

Answer 7

You are not a vegetarian, but for the sake of peace in the family, I would let it go and not worry about labels until you are old enough to live on your own and eat what you like. Until then content yourself that you have the right intent and are also showing respect to your parents.

Answer 8

No, you aren't. Nobody could force me to eat meat.

I don't know how old you are, but if you are under 18, you may have to go along with your parents wishes.

If you are over 18, you have the right to make your own choices.

Answer 9

Vegetarians and vegans never eat flesh so I would say you are only vegetarian in spirit.

Answer 10

for the last time: vegetarians do NOT EAT MEAT. ever. or you are not a veg. period. ok? get it?