How can I convince my dad that you can be vegan AND healthy?!
Answers: he's got it stuck in his mind that vegans aren't healthy. He's being really narrow minded about it and often times leads me to tears. I've tried talking to him about how it makes me feel, and even had a nutritionist talk to him. She told him I was very healthy and knew a lot about it and that he shouldn't worry. Also, often times he'll offer me something, and I'll be like "dad, it has milk. I'm vegan, remember". then he'll explode and start yelling at me. He says that I keep cutting more and more out of my diet and he doesn't know where it's going to end. He's really makes me angry. What should I do?
Sounds as if you both have emotional issues that are controlling in nature. Being a vegan is not your saving grace and going into it more slowly may make for a better relationship with your father. Is it better to damn your families relationship over your diet? Or maybe take it a little slower and consume some of these foods with a goal in mind. I have seen too many young people with their minds made up over diets, religion, clothes, etc. and fight and feud and for what. Just to have your way over this and ruin a relationship is not reasonable and then spend the next twenty years trying to patch it back together. Work with your family and grow accordingly.
he is your dad and he just wants to make sure you are healthy. eventually, if you continue this path, he will get used to it and stop nagging you. over the years, he will see that you are not wasting away. my dad had issues too at first (i stopped eating meat at 14) but he just got used to it and I never heard another word after I turned 20. And I'm 36 now!
Are you old enough to move out? If you are, then do so.
If you aren't, then perhaps the two of you need to see a counselor. It sounds like he's having issues with being wrong and losing control of you - a counselor can help him to work through those issues.
You can also try to catch him at a neutral time and have a non-confrontational discussion with him. Tell him "When I am yelled at over my moral beliefs, it makes me very sad, depressed, and scared. Dad, I know what I am doing and would be happy to help you learn that I am healthy and happy. I'm not asking you to follow me in this diet, but I do ask that you respect me and my choices. I love you and I hate that this is driving us apart." It's called "I" messages - make it about how you feel, not what he's doing wrong.
And no longer say "dad, it has milk. I'm vegan, remember." Simply say, "no thank you." You know that it sets him off to "correct" him, so don't do it and politely refuse.
All I can say is, have patience. The only way you can show him is by proving that you will be healthy - it isn't just healthy for one day, but if you can sustain yourself and look and feel healthy for a few weeks, months or even years. My father was the same, but you know the reason why your father is so freaked out about your diet (and why mine was too). If you remain healthy he'll change his mind eventually.
My parents took roughly a year or so to get used to the idea, at first they were extremely skeptical and my mom even threatened to put me in the hospital. Well, obviously, I made it through my wedding, my first pregnancy (and a very healthy one - my daughter is 11 months old now), and now I'm still going strong, so they have finally realized that it was not a matter of more dieting and restricting but a very deep personal choice. This will also be a test for you as well, and your willpower - you will have to be healthy to prove yourself.
Instead of saying, "Dad, I'm vegan", just say, no thanks, I'm full or I had a sandwich earlier. You will have to outsmart him into leaving you alone about it. It seems you keep telling him, hey, don't you remember I'm vegan? That is not necessary and probably the source of some of his anger. Your Dad just DOES NOT understand that being vegan can be healthy for some people. He probably equates it to being anorexic or starving. He is worried about you because he really cares about you, so try to give him a break and don't argue with him about it.
Go back to the nutritionist one more time and explain to her what is happening. Ask her to refer you to a family counselor that can sort this out.
Also, don't keep saying "I'm vegan". Just say no thanks, or just pretend you didn't hear him.
The reason we mammals eat meat is because our body needs protein from meat. If you have a veggie diet, you must be sure that's a sufficient source of protein. Green veggies do not supply protein, but if you follow the diets of Buddist monks, there's no problem.
As you know, Buddist philosophy does not allow the slaughter of any living things, so no beef, port, lamb, chicken nor fish for food. But they stay healthy. the Sholin Buddist Temple, even now, trained the strongest Kung Fu fighters. So where is their source of protein that give them the strength and power to do Kung Fu fighting? The answer is ToFu. ToFu is a soy bean product that is rich in protein, and yet it's 100% cholestrial free!
Here's an article by Harvard school of Public health
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsou...
read the section on "heart diesease" where it says replacing protein from meat by Tofu (soybean) reduces significantly heart diseases!
Here's what people say about Tofu:
http://food.ivillage.com/mainingredient/...
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname...
check out these Tofu recipes;
http://www.fatfree.com/recipes/tofu/
I hope this answers your question!
go to the grocey store and show him the the back of the box it will say it contains vitemans
If seeing a nutritionist didn't convince him then I suspect his problem is less about veganism than it is about his child making a grown up decision he doesn't understand. I agree with the people who've said to keep it to a No Thanks when he offers you something. I think if keeping it a bit lower key doesn't settle him down a bit, then you will want to talk to him at a neutral time (i.e. NOT when you've just had a argument about it.) Don't see it as a time to try to get him to agree with you, but a time to reassure him and ask him for his support. That and stay healthy so you are a living example of what you're asking him to understand. If all else fails, cookies might work.
I choose not to be vegitarian because growing up, my family has been short on money. My parents told me to never waste any good food because there are kids in africa who would kill for just 1 hot meal.
I would respect your father's decisions but at the same time I would suggest you could do it by being a secret vegitarian. Try not to discuss being a vegitarian and do it secretively. If you are offered meat, turn it down or simply say you are not hungry.
If you don't won't do do that then you will have to sit down and give him a talk. Don't get an attitude with him or yell because all it will do is make him even more angry. Talk in a soft but firm voice. Tell him how you feel.
Until you are able to move out and go to college you will have to respect your father's rules since you are living there.
http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/rob/?pa...
If he can't act like an adult, you don't need to continue the subject with him until he learns to do so. This is especially true if he yells at you and shows absolutely no respect for your feelings.
If you think you know better than your dad, then move out and feed yourself whatever you want. Move out, get a job, a place to stay and be what you think you should be. You seem to be old enough that "He's really makes me angry". If he can't convince you about what he thinks is right, why do you think it would be okay for you to convince him that what you think is right? In this "battle" of principles, neither of you seems willing to give in so the best thing would be for one to leave. You live with him so guess who should leave? Maybe one day, he will be more accomodating and maybe you would be too. Remember that he is your parent and believe it or not, still has your best interest at heart.
Just curious: Some here pretty much called your father an immature a**hole, is that acceptable to you?