How can I tell..?!

Question:

How can I tell..?

How can I tell my parents that I want to be a vegetarian. Actually a vegan. I personally think they would yell at me, but I don't know. I feel really strongly about the enviroment and animals rights. I love animals and nature. So does anyone have any suggestions? I really want to be a vegan. I have just been trying to eat salad but that wasn't a smart idea because I have been getting know nutrients and I actually got VERY tired today and dizzy. And since my parents are always making meat and hamburgers and stuff like that... It's hard for me not to tell them. So how can I tell them. Thanks.

Answers:

I'm not sure how old you are.....I grew up on a cattle ranch, so my parents were shocked when I made the decision to be vegetarian then vegan. However, I was an adult and living on my own by the time I made the decision.

It's not good that you're getting dizzy....that's not healthy. If I was you, I would try eating some of what your parents cook each night....for example, when you have burgers, load up a bun with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, etc. and have some chips or fries, etc. If you have burritos, have a tortilla with beans, lettuce, tomato, etc. If you can eat a lot of rice and beans, that is a great way to get nutrients and proteins; I eat some kind of rice and beans combo. for dinner nearly every day.

I think that if you stick with your choices in your parent's meals, that after consistently choosing the non-meat dishes, you could have a conversation with your mom and dad.
They may not understand and may think it's a fad--and you'll be ok until you can get on your own, even if you have to give on a few things until you can get out of the house. If you're old enough to get a job, your parents would probably respect you spending your own money on soy milk/sour cream, etc. and learning how to cook certain vegan items. Do your research to show that vegans are healthy, etc. so that your parents don't get too upset. (I've found, though, that some people just don't get it, ever. You'll just have to do the best you can!)

Good luck!!!

Just quit eating meat and get used to feeling crappy.

just think of it this way,the meats that are bought,do not eat meat to live health lives.there are plenty of ways to be healthy and full without eating something with a face.just explain to your folk you intentions and feeling.if they still don't agree or understand,then its there loss.keep eating what make your soul feel good and look for others to be behind you on this.i personal can be quit happy and full without meats,but must confess,a good fillet of Salmon is very good every now and again.......look luck and do what is right for YOU.

first of all u should check out some sites on how to become a vegetarian so u can eat right and if ur parents love u then they will be ok with it and who knows maybe they will convert also my hubby was a big meat eater and now he is more of a vegatarian it is really healthy

why is being veggie so hard to tell your parents? wow, ya'll make it seem like your coming out of the closet or something.

lol. seriously tho. just tell them. what is the worst they can do? not support you? i think they will support you. explain it to them and tell them why. proud veggie here! goodluck. :]

heres a free starter kit http://www.goveg.com/order.asp
my niece wanted to become vegetarian but her mother refused to cook meals for her...I suggest talking to your parents and seeing if mom will make you meatless dishes.

Well, from the experiences of others, learn. Do not tell them you want to be a vegetarian or vegan. They will likely do what all parents do -- take strong offence at the fact that you do not like their cooking anymore and that you are going against the lifestyle they have brought you up on.

Fist of all, never mention the words diet, vegan, vegetarian, etc.

Instead, take an interest in cooking and learning new recipes. Copy some vegan recipes off the net, from library books etc., but make sure it doesn't say vegan or vegetarian etc. Don't use tofu or any of those "weird" things. Stick to traditional vegetarian dishes... you know, every culture is full of vegetarian dishes, from Russia to India, from India to Japan, from Japan to Mexico... from Mexico to Africa.

Say, hey, I want to start learning to cook more food, and perhaps say, hey, maybe I can cook a different dish each day for dinner that we can all eat. You mom will likely be into it. You say, I'll find some recipes, and next time you go shopping, you can get the ingredients (no, you don't have to follow recipe exactly... make that clear to them, that getting most of the ingredients will usually work fine). Make sure there are recipes they will eat too. Nut loaves, stews, potatoes, pizza (they can add their own topping, and you can add yours), spaghetti... you can always make two sauces, one with and one without meat. If anyone asks why you are avoiding meat or whatever, just casually say that you are trying to eat a bit healthier like you learnt at school. Never say you are learning this stuff on your own from a book or from a friend. You learn it at school in nutrition class or during PE class the teacher mentioned something awhile ago about eating less fat and how it will help increase performance, etc. If they think it's for heath and fitness and working out in the gym... that's great. And hey, you won't live at home forever, so you want to learn to cook. Just keep very cool and subtle; never burst out "I don't want to eat meat, OK!!"

Trust me, I'm vegan and it was a very bad idea to tell my parents that I didn't want to eat what they were eating. and the mention of the word vegan was pretty bad... I never heard the end of it and they were always at me, bugging me, making comments... anything to try to make me angry and piss me off. So, if your parents are anything like mine, don't do as I did. Keep it all very subtle. And, hey, if they see you eat a little meat once in awhile to curb their suspicions, then so be it.

I think that for most parents, telling them you want to be vegan is like telling them you are gay. No different. Especially for fathers. Vegetarians are basically gay. Vegans are definitely gay and they are definitely the opposite of manly, not eating meat, not drinking beer...

There was a girl in school who was vegetarian her whole life, but she never used the word vegetarian -- she just said that she didn't like the taste of meat so much, and that was that... no questions asked. But is she said that she's vegetarian or vegan... here come the endless questions and people bugging her for her whole life... It's psychology 101. If you are different in any way from others, they'll jump on your difference. Doesn't matter if they are your parents or whoever.

Don't listen to "Joe", that person doesn't have parents like mine. They eventually tried to starve me out of my choices, by never buying a single thing that didn't have meat or dairy in it or wasn't full of additives etc. Yup.

I think it is great that you have decided to be a vegan!

I was 16 when I decided to become a vegetarian (now I'm a vegan). My parents didnt understand it, but they listened to me and accepted my choice. Maybe in the beginning they were hoping it would be just a "phase", but eventually they noticed that I learned to cook delicious food, and in general I was a lot healthier than before.

I also educated myself in the subject reading books on mistreatment of animals and about health. My parents learned many things they didnt know before. So they stopped worrying. Even though my parents are not the most openminded people, I have managed to inspire them to eat more healthy food (even though they are still omnivores.)

That was over 11 years ago, I have my own flat now, it's much easier, but when I visit my parents now they never question my beliefs. Many times they actually ask for advice about food.

It takes time, but it's possible to make ppl close to you accept you, and even respect your choice. Just eat healthy and be a living proof that veganism makes you healthy and compassionate.

Important: Read about nutrition and you'll learn what food is good for you, and learn to cook! Then make tasty vegan meals for yourself and your parents. They will come around, when they see how healthy it is to be a vegan.

MEVLANA, thanks for the links! wow!

when you 'just do it', eventually they will notice without you telling them

Here is some nutritional information so they know you will eat healthy:

Eat a variety of "whole foods," with plenty of beans, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid unhealthy foods like trans fats, which are usually listed as partially hydrogenated oils. Deep-fried foods often contain trans fats. Choose margarines that use nonhydrogenated oil, like Earth Balance or Smart Balance. Although a diet consisting of Coke and French fries is technically vegan, you can't be healthy if you eat nothing but junk food. Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is produced by bacteria, and some experts believe that vegetarians used to get plenty of this vitamin from bacteria in drinking water. Since drinking water is now treated with chemicals that kill the bacteria, it's important to make sure that you get enough vitamin B12 from fortified foods (like most brands of soy or rice milks, some breakfast cereals, and many brands of nutritional yeast,also eggs and milk) on a daily basis or by taking a sublingual B12 tablet of 10 mcg per day

Iron-beans, dark green leafy vegetables (like spinach),whole grain breads, Also eat something with vitamin c when you eat something with iron, it increases absorption

Calcium-dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, soymilk)

Protein-Isn't really hard to get, just eat a variety of foods, good sources are beans, brown rice, nuts, whole grain breads, soy foods

Omega-3 fatty acids-flax seeds/oil,walnuts,canola oil

Zinc-pumpkin seeds (best source), beans and lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and whole grain cereals

Selenium-Brazil nuts are a particularly good source of selenium, so try to eat a couple every day. Eating a small bag of mixed unsalted nuts can be a convenient way to get your daily selenium intake, but make sure it contains Brazils. Bread and eggs also provide some selenium.

Vitamin D- Vitamin D, often called the sunshine vitamin, is another common deficiency in those not drinking vitamin D fortified milk. Synthetic vitamin D is added to both cow’s milk and most brands of soy milk today.

Vitamins A (beta carotene),C, K, E and Folate-variety of fruits and veggies

Iodine-Iodine is a trace mineral that's important for healthy thyroid function. Table salt is the most common and reliable source of iodine in Americans' diets. (However, sodium in processed foods usually does not contain iodine.) If you don't consume table salt, you can get iodine from a multivitamin or from kelp tablets.

well, im a vegetarian myself and i love it! it does kinda suck at first tho, its hard to give up something that you usually eat every day. but if it is something that is important to you, you should go for it! and it sounds like your parents are similar to mine, you should just tell them that this is some thing that is very important to you and tell them all the benefits of being a vegan(not only for yourself, but also for the animals and the environment)! and if that doesnt work, you will have the satisfaction of doing something your parentd dont agree with, maybe get back at em for making you do chores=)

o yeah, vegetarians RULE!

Come right out and tell them it is your life go to them as an adult don't be like " Don't cook meat cause I won't eat it." say some thing like " mom Dad I have been wanting to be vegan."... give your views. also it dose help the environment to eat meat I care for all animals I believe that treating a cow horribly is wrong yes it is food for me but also it is a living thing. So for all you vegans who say cruelty to animals when We eat meat we may take there lives but most of us are not cruel to animals.

Any way just tell your parents also look into supplements

The consumer Foods information on foodaq.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.

How can I tell..?!

How can I tell..?

Food's Q&A Resources