How can I convince my parents I should be able to become a vegetarian?!
How can I convince my parents I should be able to become a vegetarian?
Ok, i'm 14, and i want to become a vegetarian. i brought it up with my mom and she said that when i turn 18 i can become a vegetarian. i think that is so unfair! i mean it may only be 4 years, but come on! i should be to make that choice about what i want to eat! they already let me buy some vegetarian foods as it is, so why won't they let me just drop the little meat as it is. WHAT CAN I DO????
Answers:
I was 14 when I became a vegetarian. My parents were a bit upset. But it's not like they can make you eat meat. I just stopped eating it, and started making my own main courses and eating the side dishes my mom had already made.
You should find a good book about vegetarian nutrition at your local library and look through it with them to show them that you can live healthily and responsible on a veggie diet. Then, learn to cook. You're 14, and your mom isn't going to want to have to learn how to cook an entirely different way for just one person, nor should she have to. The fake meats can run on the expensive side, so your mom might use that as a reason as well. While you're at the library, check out some vegetarian cookbooks as well.
Good meals for families in your situation are things like stir fries, pastas, and fajitas, when the meat is cooked separately from the veggies. That way, everybody's happy.
You're right, you are old enough to decide what you should eat, so stick to your principles and stop eating meat.
Source(s):
http://www.pcrm.org -- good nutritional info from doctors
http://www.goveg.com
http://www.americanvegan.com
http://www.peta2.com -- veggie site geared towards teens
http://www.vegweb.com -- good recipes
http://www.happycow.net
http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyram...
http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyram...
I would do a lot of research. Show her all the reasons why you want to become a veggie and what it will do for you and for the environment. If that doesn't work, you can ask if you can make your own food at home. If that doesn't work, you might be stuck. You are in their home and you are really young. Ask them if you can limit your meat consumption then. Try to work with them, instead of against them.
Well you should tell your parents that you are trying to take care of the animals by becoming a vegetarian. Just when you do, make sure that you tell them that you will still be able to get the nutrients that is in meat, like by taking vitamins.
ok i'm 14 and i'm a vegetarian. both my parents eat meat ALOT. tell ur parents that u don't like the killing of animals and u think it's wrong.(or whatever reason why ur becoming a vegetarian..that's just mine.lol)
First I would point out to them that people who come to be vegetarians on their own terms tend to be geniuses.
Second (if the first doesn't work), refuse to eat meat.
Third, when you are old enough to get a job, get one then buy your own food.
save the animals save the world
lol
well i m a vegetarian and don't regret it.. my family is too so it's just how we were brought up.. try and put them in a dilemma tell them u won't eat ANYTHING if u can't be a vegetarian.. that's what i'd do!
Your mother is right, when you are 18 and moved out of there home, and living on your own, you will be able to do whatever you want...
Until, have a hamburger...
?
I think that's unfair too. I became a vegetarian when I was 14 too, I think. Yeah, three years ago.
I think what you should do is first make sure that your parents know that you are being a vegetarian for legitimate reasons. Hopefully not to lose weight or anything like that. Then, maybe you can show them what you would substitute instead of meat and don't be an idiot and eat too many carbs or sweets like some beginning vegetarians too.
Make sure you get all your nutrients, especially B12 and protein, so they can't hold it against you if you become sick. My family does that sometimes, they go, "Oh, you got sick because you're a vegetarian."
Look at other cuisines to find different foods. I find this helps me from just making soup or salad every night.
As long as you have your nutrients all taken care of and you have recipes and you feel good, you should be fine and your parents shouldn't hold anything against you.
If people argue with you about being a vegetarian, you don't have to respond. I found this out the hard way after arguing several times and only making people angry because they thought I was being elitist or something.
I hope it goes well for you. There are lots of websites and free recipes you can find.
Be a good daughter and try to see it their way...they want you to be healthy and they were raised on meat and think its good for you...so compromise and ask for organic meat...then you get to eat without toxins and please your parents and yourself to a degree....peace is a great ingredient for any meal.
Vegetarianism is not a life style choice, it is a mental illness. Did you know that Hitler was a vegetarian? If you become a vegetarian you will be shunned by the general populace and end up marrying someone like Jim McGreevey. Give life a chance.
Maybe your mom is worried that your choice is unsafe, or just another thing to deal with in her busy life.
Learn about the Okinawa Diet, which is low in meat.
Also have a look at rawdiva.com and Radicalhealth.com for advice on constructing an appealing range of menus.
As has been suggested, do your research so you can answer any questions or arguments your parents may bring up about it. It will show your commitment and seriousness regarding vegetarianism. If your parents say anything, try not to be confrontational ( for example "I don't eat meat because I love animals, UNLIKE YOU!"), as that just turns people off, makes them defensive, and might make them more resistant to your actions.
I wish you the best of luck on your early steps to vegetarianism!
maybe they are worried about the protein part of it and show them which foods you will sub for the meat they want you to eat. I'm a parent, If you explain it to them with all guns blazing and have an answer for all there questions, you will have a better chance. And as all kids do they probably think this is just a phase.
Start buying your own groceries
As others have said you need to do research on vegetarian life style and show your parents that you are serious about the choice.
Your parents could just be worried about health, etc. Many people are misinformed about vegetarianism. They rely on prejudeces and wrong info that they have heard.
You need to sit down with you mom and ask her what the issue is with being vegetarian. Tell her you understand her side, but you need to be able to make your own decision about your diet, and she need not worry as you have done the proper reseach on where to get protien, vitamins, etc. Offer to see a nutritionist and discuss proper vegetarian diet with a trained professional in order to ease her mind.
What worked with my mother(altough I don't recommend guilt tripping, I actually felt this way) was telling her she should be proud that she raised me to be compassionate, and caring, and confident enough to go against the grain and do what I felt was right.
The point is, you are growing up and becomming an adult. You need the oportunity to discover things for yourself and make your own decision. Your mother may not be ready for this.
What is comes down to is that your mother cannot force you to eat meat, but the support of your family help make thing easier. I would tell her that you have made your choice and if she supports you that is great, and if not... well thats ok also.
Act like an adult about it. Don't whine or b*tch when there aren't any foods prepared that you can eat. Take the initiative to make them yourself or find them yourself. Don't put down what your family is eating (it's their right to eat the way they want too). There's always something that you can eat without animal @ restuarants and in the rare event that there isn't don't frown, complain or whine. Be very mature and grown up and you will earn their respect.
When your parents see how mature you're being they will know that it isn't going to be an issue and be more likely to have what you need in the fridg and pantry.
This is funny because I told my daughter that she can eat meat when she turns 18. As her mother, it is my responsibility to feed her the healthIEst way I know which is vegetarian. I'm sure your mom is just not sure that a vegetarian diet is healthy. In order to be veg you should eat very healthy--ie no junk food, whole grains, etc. To convince your parents do some research: rawfamily.com, look up The China Study conducted by Cornell U, fatfreekitchen.com lists a vegetarian food pyramid. The most important things to remember on a vegetarian diet is to eat plenty of raw foods and at least one bunch of leafy green vegetables a day (this is especially important if you do not eat dairy). Good luck!!
sit down and tell them why you feel the way you do about being a vegetarian. I am the only one in my family thats a vegetarian and my parents really don't have to buy that much food espically for me, i just eat what ever they are eating with out the meat.
I was 14 when I asked my parents if I could become a vegetarian for the first time. They said no because of the protein, and my age. So, I did some research on alternatives, and I gave it to him. And I slowly stopped eating meat. They would serve it to me at the table, and I'd eat everything but that. So, finally, my Dad asked my why I wasn't eating any meat, and I told him it was because I loved animals. He finally agreed after I gave him the packet of research. He liked the idea of pastas, salads, meatless burgers, and much more. I take vitamins everyday, and get most of my protein from nuts, edimomi, and the vitamins. If you're an animal lover, I would also not eat gelatin, which is animal fat. It is in skittles, starburst, yogurt, and more. Good luck!