Becoming a vegetarian...?!
Becoming a vegetarian...?
Last week after a lot of recearch I decided that I wanted to become a vegetarian. I knew that my family would not take my decision seriously so this past week i've kept it a secret. Saturday we were having a barbeque with no vegetarian options so I had to tell them. Like I guessed they took it as a joke and claimed that i'm just trying to be a pain in the a*s. My dad is now trying to get me to crack ny making all my favorite meat foods. Today he made eggs benedict which we normally only have once or twice a year on special occasions. He refuses to make me veggie dishes and wont buy me things I need to make them myself. I don't know what to do I really want to stay a vegetarian but with so little support I don't know if i'll be able to keep this lifestyle. What can I do to get my family to take me seriously and provide me with the support I need to make this work.
Answers:
This is almost EXACTLY how my family reacted when I became a vegetarian five years ago. They didn't take my decision seriously at all, poked fun at me, and tried to tempt me to eat meat. Sit down and have a talk with your father. Tell him that you know it seems like a phase, and you know it's going to be difficult, but you'd really like a chance. Tell him that you'd love to go to the grocery store with him and buy some ingredients for healthy vegetarian recipes, which you'll find yourself and prepare yourself. Tell him you'll make sure that you're eating a balanced diet with plenty of alternative protein and nutritional sources. Let him know that you're serious about this. It won't necessarily guarantee his support -- my mother was still VERY skeptical -- but it might give you enough of a chance to get started.
After a year or so, my family finally started to understand that I was serious about my decision and that I was really committed to this lifestyle. I still make all my own food (a lot easier now that I can drive myself to the store), and sometimes even make family dinners. Sometimes they still give me grief when I can't go out to eat with them because there are no vegetarian options where they're going (you'd be surprised how many places this is true; always research online before going, and know that just because the restaurant lists it as vegetarian doesn't make it so -- it may contain gelatin or rennet, or have beef or chicken stock in it). But they generally let me do my own thing, and I've even heard them tell their friends that they really respect my dedication -- something I NEVER would have thought they would say initially.
Good luck!
Source(s):
personal experience
Why have you become a vegetarian? Is it because of animal abuse reasons?
If so, stick to what your doing. If you really beleive in it, you don't need any support from your family. Go solo.
I'm half way there, becoming one. My family doesn't support me either. My mom says that if i become a vegetarian, i will have to cook my own meals. she also thinks that the only reason i am doing this is because my best friend is a vegetarian, and she thinks i am copying her. i have no support what so ever.
but if you really feel that strongly about it, you can do it.
eventually they will realize that you are a vegetarian, and its not a joke. dont give in to what they have to say.
goodluck :]
Pull your Mom aside one day and tell her you have a secret to share with her. Your secret is that meat makes you want to have sex, that it is an uncontrollable urge but that when you eat soy based protein and veggies you are calm and enjoy reading.
Maybe if you sit them all down and tell them the reasons that being a vegetarian is good, like saving the animals, etc., they'll understand a little better.
I don't know if this would help much, but if you just keep on not eating meat, they might just have to givein eventually for fear you won't eat and because it'll show them that you are really, REALLY serious about being a vegetarian.
i have the same issue. i've decided to ease into being vegetarian meaning that whenever I can, I'd take the closest thing to a vegetarian meal. I'm going full out soon, whenever I move out. thats prolly the best option, is waiting until you go to university
I actually think you should eat meat. I was a vegetarian once....for the afternoon. If it's a diet reason, meat isn't bad to eat. Just don't eat too much of it.
Well come to the world of vegetarian because of you more and more animals will be able to live thanks,be free with your family and tell them your feeling regarding animals here is the list of proteins :-
Proteins: Body's protein needs can be provided by either animal or plant sources. Mixed protein diet obtained from various plant sources is better than animal protein and is recommended in diabetes, renal diseases and liver diseases. Mixed protein diet from different plant sources has been the pattern of diet in India for all vegetarians.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are mainly found in plant foods; like cereals, grains, fresh and dry fruits, legumes, vegetable, greens, nuts etc. plant carbohydrates include' large amounts of starches, sugar and fibers which are important for gut functions. The body is better suited to a high carbohydrate diet than a low carbohydrate diet. In fact 55% of the food intake should be carbohydrate. All animal products do not contain carbohydrate which is essential for body.
Fat: Plant fats differ from animal fats in two different ways 1) they are cholesterol free 2) they generally contain more polyunsaturated fat and less saturated fats. Plant fats usually have higher polyunsaturated fat value than animal fats.
A diet which is low in cholesterol and which contains fat of a high PIS value is associated with a lower incident of coronary health disease.
Vitamins and Minerals: plant foods are rich in many vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is obtained by exposure of skin to sun light and this is not a problem in India.
Calcium: The vegetarians can meet their needs for calcium from dairy products. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Dark green vegetables are good sources of Riboflavin as are legumes and whole grain cereal.
Iron: The problem of iron deficiency is relatively common but vitamin C significantly enhances absorption of iron hence it is advisable for vegetarians to include with each meal a food high in vitamin C which as lime, citrus fruits or juices.
Zinc: Zinc is found in large number of plant foods.
Fiber: Fiber is found only in vegetarian food like whole grain cereals, legumes, greens, fruits, vegetable etc.
Thus in vegetarian foods all requirement of nutrition for body growth and maintenance is fulfilled. One can have a complete and balanced diet provided we take enough food which is as close to nature as possible in maintaining sturdy and disease free body. It is equally helpful in curing many diseases.
ADVANTAGES OF VEGETARIAN DIET:
More & more evidence is surfacing that directly links a prolonged non- vegetarian diet to diseases as cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, asthma just to name a few.
1. LOGEVITY: Vegetarian can expect to live 4-10 years longer then the non-vegetarians.
" Source: Seventh day Adventists study
2. LESS HEART DISEASE: Because of low fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content of the vegetarian diet the risk of heart disease is lowered. High blood cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease.
3. LESS CANCER: Up to 40% of all cancers are diet related. Cancer death rates have been associated with obesity and high fat / low fiber diet. Vitamin A & C are thought to be protective against colon cancer. Low fat diets protect against prostrate and breast cancer. Indoles, lignans, isoflavones, protease inhibitors which are present in plant foods and shown to be potent anti carcinogens.
4. LESS BOWEL DISEASE: Diverticular disease and appendicitis occur more frequently with low fiber intake as in meat diet.
5. LEES OBESITY & LESS INCIDENCE OF DIABETES: It is easier to plan a low fat diet for a vegetarian then for a meat eater. The fiber in plant food dilutes the energy & provides a satisfying meal without all the calories. Diabetes over the age of 40 seems to be related to obesity.
Since animals kill each other in nature, why should the vegetarian be concerned about the abuse of animals; such as for example, killing them to eat?
In nature, big fish eats a little fish because its mind is not developed as much as of human who can discriminate and restraint to a great deal. Humans can also rationalize what is right and wrong and so why should they support abuse or killing of innocent animals? Plus, there is a big difference between natural birth and human breeding; and even bigger difference between animals killing each other and mass killing by humans.
The process of raising animals for food involves bringing them in this world by artificial insemination; separating mothers from their young ones; raising them in cages and confined spaces; feeding them unnatural food contaminated with chemicals, hormones, and antibiotics; and finally killing them at a young age. All these actions result in a desensitized attitude and the suppression of compassion at the conscience.
As Jains, we do have to protect all kinds of living beings. There are different laws in the jungle than in human society. In the law of jungle, the strong ones eat the weak ones, but in the law of society, the strong one protects the weak one.
About 6 months ago I became a vegetarian and went through that with my parents too. They didn't take me seriously at all for a while. They didn't force me to eat meat but they made me make my own food. They were not very helpful at the beginning but gradually they became more and more supportive. If you really want to do this then "stick to your guns."
Let them know about your research findings. Did you discover you had to have a source of B-12, especially important if you are a vegan? Did you think about getting the necessary nourishment by eating the right vegetarian foods? Let them know why you think being a vegetarian is important. Maybe if you talk you'll find out how to persuade and influence them.