I want to go vegetarian, but...?!
I am fifteen years old. My mother supports my decision and is willing to let me go vegetarian as long as I do it healthily. My dad, however, thinks that it is the stupidest thing I could ever think of doing and doesn't support me at all. Anything that maybe I could do? I need a lot of advice. :/
Answers: I really want to go vegetarian now because of the horrible things my newly vegetarian friend has shown me! I'm completely traumatized, and feel guilty every time I eat meat now. I feel like I am blowing things out of proportion, but I just can't seem to get the idea out of my head.. I think it was wrong of her to show me these things, but now since I have seen them, I feel that it is too late. Is PETA right? Is this really what goes on behind the scenes?
I am fifteen years old. My mother supports my decision and is willing to let me go vegetarian as long as I do it healthily. My dad, however, thinks that it is the stupidest thing I could ever think of doing and doesn't support me at all. Anything that maybe I could do? I need a lot of advice. :/
The first step is definitely awareness. The title might sound kind of silly, but this book is legit. You have to read 'Skinny B*tch', and just do your research. And, there's no harm in trying, maybe just give it a test run for a few weeks and see how you feel.
Smart girl. You chose the right thing.
yes, it is true. PETA doesn't make that stuff up. I think it is an excellent idea. If you feel compelled to do it, do it because you are doing it for the right reasons and not to be trendy. Good for you. Actually eating that way is healthier anyway.
I'm a vegetarian mainly for the health benefits. I eat a diet rich in vitamins, fiber and other good stuff. Maybe you should do some researcch on the health benefits of being a vegetarianand show them to your dad. From my experience, when family doesn't support your decision to be vegetarian/vegan it really comes down to cultural traditions you know. Like my family is Hispanic, so they eat alot of beef, chicken, pork and it's hard for them to give those things up. Don't worry, if you show your dad you're serious you'll win his support.
well first of all if you wanna become a vegatarian become it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! who cares what your dad said its your life your desion
im glad you decided to be a vegetarian, but do remember this is one big ride! just never lose hope, temptation is always near.
also, who cares what your dad says, as longest you have one parent who supports you, its your body, do what you gotta do to feel, be healthier.
-j
Organic does not mean cruel free. It means no hormones or pestisides
I became a vegetarian for the same reason... It's not st00pid it's a great idea... don't listen to your dad your mom is right to support you... I haven't eaten meat since September and I feel healthier and more at peace with myself than ever... and I am only 13... every time my family goes to the grocery store I just avoid the meats aisle... lolz...
It's a personal decision. If you want to do it, I say go for it. Try it for a few months and see how you feel.
The animal industry is horrendously cruel. Even what is legal and common practice is awful. Its great that your mom supports you in this. You should get Becoming Vegetarian (link below). It has tons of nutritional info, a section for the special needs of teens and good advice on handling people like your father. I know it'll be difficult to handle him but it sounds like it will be worth it for you.
well i went vegetarian once
i didnt like the idea of eating animals
but im a kid so my parents cook my meals so it was hard
so i couldnt do it
If it's something you really believe in go for it. Just be sure to really know what you need nutrition wise. When I was 15 became a vegetarian but didn't really know the right things to eat so I became anemic. There will always be people that don't understand why you would become a vegetation. So be prepared for responses like your fathers. Later if it doesn't seem like the right thing for you there are other things you can do to help relieve that guilty feeling. I myself stopped being a vegetarian and now just make better choices about where my food comes from. Also I work with animals and used to work at the humane society so I felt like I was helping somewhere.
Educate yourself and make the decision that makes sense for you.
Do more re search and then talk to your Dad again .I am sure he is just worried about you , with your Moms help show him you are keeping your self healthy and he will become more at ease with your choice.
I was 14 when I went vegetarian, and am now 15 1/2. To convince my parents, I bought "A Teen's Guide To Going Vegetarian" (Found it on Amazon), and a recipe book. I also made a research packet of nutrition facts, pictures, factory farming issues, health statistics, alternatives, etc.
Good luck & Great choice! =D
i have been a veg. since i was like 12 (self choice). i think its good to have something u believe in a stand by it, ur decision to go veg. has to stay with u ur whole life it shouldn't be experimental. it was hard for me to stay veg. i remember always having temptations, but i leaned how to resist. i think it is a healthy way of living, for me it makes me feel like im helping animals and myself.
PETA doesnt lie go to their web-site...wuts the point about lying about animal cruelty?
have a talk with your dad, tell him its not a phase its something u really believe in...if u do
dont become a veg. for the wrong reasons...stand by your decision
Do you really need us to tell you?
wel come to the world of vegetarian because of you more and more animals will save their live thanks :)
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.
VEGGIE FOOD IS VERY EXPENSIVE BUT IT DOSENT TASTE BAD IT A WHOLE STEP CLOSER 2 BE HEALTYER YOU CAN FIND THEM IN THE FROZEN FOOD ILSE IN WAL-MART OR TARGET GUD LUCK!
Nature itself and natural selection can by quite cruel and far less forgiving than US slaughter houses.
When it comes down to it you really shouldn't worry yourself about it and enjoy your happy meal burger. Your body is meant to eat meat and getting it yourself (ie hunting) like animals in the wild do is far more brutal than a slaughter house can ever be.
Not to mention PETA is known to portray things falsely and resort to propaganda like tactics, such as displaying foreign slaughter houses from under developed countries/regions as domestic ones.
Thats great and its never to late to turn vegan. But totaly cutting away from meat isnt healthy. u should take iron pills and prtein pills cause veggies dont ave all of what u need to be health and meat has alot of things that you need that veggies dont so yeah.
stew's fibbing to ya. Much of the stuff PETA spews out is created at their behest to disgust the closed-minded people that PETA attracts.