My parents are annoying me with comments on Vegetarianism help?

Question

Well im a vegetarian. I dont eat any meat not even fish because it is an animal it has a face it bleeds its meat. I hate it when people say otherwise fish isnt a damn vegetable. I try to drink soymilk most of the time. I drink regular lowfat milk occasionally. Once in a while cheese never eggs. I also eat my grains pastas and all that nuts herbs and what not. I feel really healthy. Ever since I stopped eating meat I feel so much better I lost alot of weight since I also excersize and I feel happy about myself. But my parents/grandparents often ask me how I can do it. They say you need meat in you or else you are going to starve yourself from not getting enough protein. They also say you want to look anorexic dont you. Eat some meat or at least some eggs to get some protein in you. At times they will be like come on at least eat fish vegetarians eat fish. Have some tuna. This cant be healthy for you Chris im going to take you to a doctor you look pale. blahblah. How do I make them stop!

Answer 1

LOL... I used to get the same thing...
I also get the "You're looking pale" comments (in my case it is usually, "oh my god, your skin is the color of liquid paper! It's from your lack of protien...")
I'm like... "Umm You've know me all my life, wasn't I born like this?" :]

Parents just want their children to be healthy... it's not their fault that they have been brainwashed into thinking that vegetarianism is unhealthy.
I would suggest that you confront them about it... Present your arguments from a health point of view.
(and please inform them that vegetarians don't eat fish LOL)
But make sure that they know that it is not just a diet to you, but rather something that you believe in, and a way you choose to live your life.
(that way they might think twice before trying to sneak meat in your food... I said maybe :])
The first response said to show your parents info about vegetarianism... That is a good Idea
I wouldn't suggest showing them any slaughter videos... but that depends on your parents... If I showed my parents a slaughter video they would get pissed at me... and call me a preachy vegan... but that's just my parents.
VRG is a good site for nutrition info.
I wrote a blog that relates to this a while ago, if you are interested here is the link :]
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-VhTVUj05cqpbgu0GOsuJrFedmQ--?cq=1&p=34

Answer 2

First of all, way to go for standing by your convictions!! You are doing the right thing for yourself and for animals. People are weird about vegetarianism, because they just don't understand it. It's a good idea for you to do a little research, so you'll be armed with a list of foods you eat that have protein (since protein is the most common concern non-vegetarians have.) People don't realize that even broccoli has protein! If you want to appease your family, and also be sure you are actually getting enough vitamins, you could look into a good protein shake from a health store. I love to mix a banana in a chocolate-flavored shake with some ice cubes. It tastes like a milk shake, but it's full of protein and vitamins. I don't drink them everyday, but I do try to have them on days when i know I haven't been very "good" in my eating.

You probably won't be able to make them stop bugging you, but you won't have to feel defensive if you have some facts to support your decision. And if you are underweight, you do want to make sure you are eating enough good foods to stay healthy.

Answer 3

They'll get over it. My grandpa was convinced I'd joined a cult! (I guess a lot of cults are vegetarian/vegan as a lack of protein will make you addle-minded and therefore more susceptible to influence.) When they see you're serious and doing it in a healthy way, they'll let up.

Anyway, it IS a challenge to get enough protein, especially for a growing boy. Soy/tofu are good sources but watch the fat. You need both beans & rice together to make a COMPLETE protein for muscle growth - even though the label says it has protein, they must be eaten together to be of any use, and soy based protein powders. Make sure to get your Omega 3s too (without meat/fish its challenging) - olive oil (unheated), raw almonds, and flax seeds are all good options. Also calcium since you don't do very much dairy - dark green veggies and supplements will help.

Good for you - Go VEGGIE!

Answer 4

Chris. I think most of us are in the same boat. Our parents care that we eat the stuff that worked for them. They do not realize that times have changed and that vegetarianism is a good thing if you are that way inclined. Just be very mild in you responses and eventually they will get the message and back off. I have been a veggo for more years than I care to remember and all of my buddies know this but they still try to push dead animals onto my plate when I visit.
You will have to be firm with them and let them understand that it is your personal choice and that if you feel (liar liar liar) the need to resort to eating meat again for health reasons, you will do so. Passive resistance is good.

"Don't worry be Happy"

Answer 5

Hey Buddy!
I was born a vegitarian its part of my religon, my faith. so i have never tried meat or eggs or fish or onion and garlic i dont eat any meat! never will either
people ask how i live i say i have never tried meat so its not a problem and to tell u the truth im kind of over weight well im normal for my height i just feel i need to shed some pounds
vegetarians are extremly healthy i'd like to keep in touch my email is: [e-mail]
i have some books and everything
i hope i helped
so glad to have found a fellow follower bye and keep strong!!!!
email me

Answer 6

well just tell them to stop a i mean they worry because you dont have enought protein in your body that can be really bad but anyways you're eating healthy just tell them to stop bother you and you can get protein adults multivitamin /multimineral supplement that sure give you the proteins that meat have and some cultures dont eat meat at all and they are more heathy than normal people thats a good point and if they still dont belive you just show then this: (those are points of eat meat or not)

Answer 7

The important thing is that you're healthy. Vegetarianism can be a little tricky if you don't know what foods compensate for the lack of nutrients that not eating meat can cause. If thats covered and you're happy, just give them some time. Show them that you are healthy and happy with the choice you've made.

Answer 8

I became a vegan after reading "Skinny Bit ch" and then I loaned it to my mom and she became a vegan and then to my sister and she and her husband became vegan....knowledge is very powerful and when you come across something that no intellegent person can deny then try to pass it on....I passed the book on to my best friend and she made changes in her diet too and now it is with another friend....I don't know if she read it yet. But I feel pretty possitive....

Anyway, stick to your guns and show them that you can be healthy and eat this way - pretty soon they will be coming to you to want to know the secrets of your success.

Answer 9

Go to the doctor. Once they give you a clean bill of health your parents should lay off. Plus if need be your doctor can recommend vitamins or other options if you are lacking any nutrients. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Good for you for going vegetarian.

Check out www.vrg.org. They have a section on vegan nutrition for teenagers, and this might help you ease your parents' concerns.

And if that doesn't work, as if they've ever heard of kwashiorkor. I'm sure they haven't. It's protein deficiency, which is unheard of in industrialized nations.