vegan and vegatarians..........?

Question

ok so im a vegatarian, and its hard enough because no one in my family is, and a few of them are completly stupid about it and joke around and make fun about it, but latly ive decided i want to become a vegan. and when i told them this, no one is supportive about it, and they all say negative things about. i just want to know how any of you vegans out there deal with it, that is if you happen to be dealing with a family like mine. and if so what you do to deal with it?

no im not calling my family stupid just the jokes and imature remarks they make, i dont criticize them for eating meat, its their decision just like being a vegatarian is mine, i just wish they would be more understanding of my choice.

Answer 1

Drink heavily.

Answer 2

i am only a vegetarian and i haven't been for too long. but if your going to go vegan you should go see a nutritionist first because its such a huge lifestyle change and it can be hard for your body to adjust especially if your family isn't supporting you. The other reason a nutritionist is a great idea is that many people who try to be a vegan don't do it right for instance that only eat salads and vegetables which will not get your body the nutrients that it needs and could have very sever health effects that can be permanent.

as for me when i made my vegetarian conversion my mom laughed and said that it would only last about a day. You need to be strong and determined stick to your guns and your beliefs.


this goes for everything, don't take them joking about it too seriously. chances are they either don't fully understand why you've made this decision or they dont know how to handle it. my cousins all made fun of me for it i joked back when they asked if i became a tree hugger. it could just be my attitude and that we all tease each other constantly but try that.

Answer 3

Hi,

I live in France, one of the least vegetarian countries in Europe probably, so believe me, I understand. My family is always making stupid jokes about me being vegan, and trying to get me to eat non-vegan stuff. I always get the "mmmh this is so good, you don't know what you're missing out on!" (like I never ate that stuff when I wasn't vegan, and like I'm going to be tempted now). Either that or they don't take it seriously, like "I got this for you. I know there's butter in it, but I figured you would eat some anyway because they tast so good". When I told my father, he told me I was going to get sick and die. Proved him wrong! ;-)

So yeah, I know what you mean. How do I deal with it? Jokes: I just laugh with them, even though they are not funny: it shuts them up. If you take offense, it only makes them continue, cauze that's what they are looking for. For example, when I get the usual "what about the poor carrot, don't you think it suffers when it eat it alive? Can't you hear it scream?" I just answer "yeah I love that sound. We vegans are real cruel. I also like to boil them alive." Shuts them up, normally.

The best thing to do, I think, is just to stick to your convictions. Never give in, otherwise that's it. I just patiently say no to all the non-vegan stuff they try give me. I answer their questions, again and again. Takes a lot of patience. But if you don't give in, in the end they will accept your convictions. I always thought they didn't, until I realised one day that my aunt had been shopping and because she knew I was coming round, she have gotten vegan food in. Or once I ate some crisps and then a friend realized they were prawn flavored and got so worried I might have eaten prawn (in fact I had already checked the ingredients). But I was touched by the fact he was so worried, when 2 minutes before he was making jokes and being a pain. So I think most people just like to give us a hard time, but in the end, they accept our choices if we are true to them, and sometimes even admire the strength we put into our convictions.

Good luck anyway, you are doing the right thing.


Go vegan :-)

Answer 4

I know where you're coming from, I'm wanting to go vegan myself, and I have a few family members that are anything but supportive. My advice to you, is to ignore their words, know what you're doing is healthy and morally responsible, and be well educated on the matter just in case anyone asks you questions. Good Luck, and Veggie Power=)

Answer 5

Just bring up a few issues you know your family won't agree on. Make being a vegan the last one(or first, depending on family). Then sit and laugh as they argue about anything but vegans.

Answer 6

If you show your family how serious you are about becoming a vegan, then they will support them. They'll probably need some time to get used to the idea.

Be patient with them. They'll come around, and if they don't then just carry on regardless.

Answer 7

I'm worst still. My family and relatives are almost socially isolate us (because I was brought out with such value. I didn't say they are wrong but...).

It almost 4 years, we (me, my wife and 2 kids) became a vegetarian, and now vegan. Others see our lifestyle, bmi, bodyshape, health, knowledge & philosophy, social ethics, charities, my wife's vegan cuisines...some of them really admire us. Today, my family members, my in-laws, my parents and few of my friends are vegetarians.

Take a slow and steady step. Mix with people without bothering their diet. Be a role model. Gradually the circle of "common-interest" people will be expanded.

Answer 8

I truthfully do not care what anyone thinks about my dietary choices,I ignore the comments or will throw them a good zinger now and then

Answer 9

well if being a vegan is what you want to do, you shouldn't be brought down by them. Ignore them, I know what you're going through.

Answer 10

I ignore them , and get on with it , and feel superior inside :D Its the best way .

Answer 11

Just ignore them. They will snap out of it once they see you are serious.

But if you argue back, you will have problems.