But I am not sure what my parents will think of this, I am only 14 and I believe my mom will be more accepting than my dad.
He is the sort of," good old country boy ".
So how do I go about this without pissing them off I intend to do it, but I don't know how to go about it.
2007-10-07 18:46:52 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
Take it slowly. Are you a vegetarian? If not, become a vegetarian first.
2007-10-07 19:49:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS! WELL DONE for taking the first step to saving over 500 lives a year and getting better health, not to mention helping save the environment and starving people around the world!
As for telling your parents, well this is a hard question for all teenagers who become vegetarian or vegan. I remember when I told my parents lol. My mum thought I was joking. But what I did was show them "Meet your Meat". It is a video about animals in farms and slaughterhouses. You can see it at www.meat.org
You would also need to explain to your parents that you have done proper nutrition research (see the sites below) and tell them you are willing to go for a yearly blood test to see if you are deficient in anything (I do that just to keep the parents happy for now and so far, I'm the healthiest person in the family!)
Finally, explain to your dad that this is something you really want to do and if you can't tell them write them a letter instead. Show them you are mature so don't go on a hunger strike or anything - act mature and show them you've done your research.
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/vitamins-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/vegetables-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/nut-seed-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/minerals-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/vegan.htm#nut
http://www.vegsource.com/food_groups.htm
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/fruit-nutrition-chart.html
http://www.veganfoodpyramid.com/
I would also reccomend you join a teen activist group like www.peta2.com or www.veganfreak.com. This will give you A LOT of motivation for times when you feel down if people take the mick out of you being vegan. You can also order free activism materials and stuff. It really gives me a sense of belonging.
FINALLY, stand up for what you believe in and don't let anyone tell you it's wrong. Don't push your beliefs but let your voice and opinions be heard.
Oh, and I'm vegan and 13 and I haven't died yet so veganism won't kill you, in case anyone tells you that you can't live without meat.
2007-10-08 01:53:16 · answer #2 · answered by cat_lover 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get yourself a good book, like "Becoming Vegan" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina, or for easier reading, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Living." Both have lots of good nutritional info so you can address your parents' concerns about that. They also have information on "vegan diplomacy," which just means how to talk to meat-eaters about it without alienating them (might be good for talking to your dad about it.) As long as you're making sure to eat a healthy, balanced diet and you're not bothering them with details of slaughter processes while they're trying to eat, they should have no legitimate objection to it. You might try "Mad Cowboy" and "No More Bull" by Howard Lyman as well (he was a "good old country boy" Montana cattle rancher before he became vegan - might help you relate to your dad.)
2007-10-08 04:24:40 · answer #3 · answered by mockingbird 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why... would you want to?
You're omnivorous... and it's natural to eat meat. Are some animals treated inhumane...? Yes. Are they all treated this way...? No.
Don't let extremists fool you. You're smarter that that, and smarter than they are.
Animals in nature are either killed and eaten, or die of starvation.
But.. in the end, make your own choice.
Douglas
2007-10-09 11:04:09 · answer #4 · answered by prancinglion 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eat at least 9 pieces of fruit a day. Tell them that fruit is your favorite food.
2007-10-11 10:17:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask them . your health will profit and the cost is less for the vegan diet .
2007-10-07 19:03:54 · answer #6 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.chooseveg.com
www.mercyforanimals.org
you need to show your dad a video
tell him it's your stomach and you
will choose what goes into it
get yourself a free vegetarian kit
with recipes, etc.
2007-10-07 19:34:43 · answer #7 · answered by melvinator345 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them you are super gay first. It will make the vegan thing look like a non issue.
2007-10-08 02:03:07 · answer #8 · answered by The worlds only straight veggie. 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
start slowly, and research it so you can show your parents that you are getting enough protein
2007-10-07 18:55:26 · answer #9 · answered by momoftrl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will just let them know for sure that you are a huge sissy!
2007-10-08 07:20:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋