How can I show my parents that going vegetarian is alright?

Question

Basically I've wanted to go vegetarian for a while. My parents refuse to let me do it. They think I'm crazy and won't let me get anything with soy in the title. They make me eat meat. Preferably in the long run I'd like to go vegan, but I'm having a hard enough time getting them to accept vegetarianism. I've taken out numerous books about vegetarian nutrition and benefits for my parents to read, but they're still not convinced. Advice?

Answer 1

Your parents are only trying to do what they think is best for you. Listen to them and when you become an adult, move out, get a job, buy your own food and become a vegetarian.

Answer 2

Man, that's pretty harsh...I personally love meat, but at the same time, I thoroughly enjoy a vegetarian meal every now and again.

So, if they're so convinced that you should be an omnivore, shouldn't they, themselves try the same thing? Perhaps you could convince them to occasionally try tofu stir-fry, instead of adding meat. If they try the food, and realize that it can be satisfying as well as healthy, they might be more open to you skipping the meat sometimes. If you can start working in the occasional meal, you might be able to make it a more and more frequent thing, until you have eliminated meat from your diet.

Also, best bet is to use logic, and don't let it escalate into an argument...that only provides fuel for the fire. And remember that you won't live with your parents forever. We all have to grow up with the rules our parents make, but then we get the chance to make our own rules later in life. Best of luck!

Answer 3

i've got been a vegetarian my entire existence, in no way have eaten any further than a spoonful of meat. So enable me inform you, DONT DO IT! My mom became an animal rights activist so i think that killing is incorrect etc., although think of heavily. I hate going out and then have 2 menu ideas or now and returned much less. I hate it while people cook dinner particular dishes purely for me as quickly as they already had to cook dinner for each man or woman else on the holiday journeys. Oh and the latest... i'm anemic because of the fact of it. Its very complicated to be a vegetarian so think of heavily. I easily have easily progressed an hypersensitive reaction to meat so i'm able to in no way supply up being a vegetarian yet I wish i'd desire to. yet as quickly as I easily have did no longer convince you i will besides supply you suggestion: -eat FISH! I promise there are a pair of billion greater available, so eat one each and every particularly situations, they are lean protein and iron. -Peanut butter is your new bff, returned protein. -CHEESE! only don.t go overboard. -shop far off from zillions of carbs, which vegetarian tend to crave. -Spinach wont kill you, I promise...iron returned. -Multi nutrition, possibly ask your widespread practitioner to recomend one. I had a undeniable one until i became approximately 12, now i take centrum one an afternoon. in case you extremely need to, choose for it nonetheless. it is an exceptionally healthful existence form in case you be certain to eat maximum appropriate.

Answer 4

i wanted to turn vegetarian when i was 12. my parents were very against it. it may take some time, but eventually, you may be able to do it in spite of your parents. for me, it helped that we didn't' eat meals at the same times during the day. they couldn't tell what i'd eaten. it may seem a long way away, but once you're in college, they won't be there to control what you do. for the time being, one suggestion is to start cooking some things for yourself. good sources of protein if you can't get soy, eggs, nuts, legumes. good luck!

Answer 5

I agree, find out exactly what they fear or the reasons that they don't want you to become vegetarian and eventually vegan. It is also important to point out that this is also a spiritual change and after i became vegan i also became a better , kinder person. GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

While i personally disagree with going vegetarian, I think this is the kind of choice you should be allowed to make if thats what you feel. It will be good for your health. Maybe you could ask your doctor. Just make sure your doing it for the right reasons.

Answer 7

What do they object to specifically? Find that out, then do some research and back up your decision with facts that prove their assumptions wrong (i.e. that vegetarians are unhealthy, that you won't get enough protein, that you need meat, etc.)

p.s. I stopped eating red meat at your age (12), went vegetarian at 16 and vegan at 24. It baffles me that there are so many unsupportive parents out there. I'm glad I don't take mine for granted.

Answer 8

Tell them to watch this video. This is the most heartbreaking video you will ever watch. It has a lot to say about how carless an cold hearted some people can be. You will never want to see meat again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_C1EtT9lkI

Answer 9

my mom was like that to....=[
i'd cry and shed make me sit there and eat...*ugh*
but in the end i said u let me do this or i dont eat.
i just put my foot down and said im not eating anything with meat. of course they freaked out but maybe u should ask them why their being so imsensitive and closeminded to the topic.

Answer 10

I think that, in general, Americans are brain washed about the need for meat in their diet. Are your parents xenophobic (i.e. anything different is to be feared)? Good luck.