Im a little afraid of how my mom will react when i tell her that i want to be vegan?!
Answers: this isnt an all of a sudden decision.. i was a vegetarian for almost a year when i was 13, and on and off vegetarian since then and ive wanted to live a semi vegan lifestyle for a while (trying to cut out eating any animal products and staying away from products that test on animals, but i might not be able to cut out all animal bi products in my life.. lol seeing as how they are everywhere, even plastic is derived from fossil fuels, and there are ashes from animal bone marrow in sugar lol so it would be hard to cut everything out completely but im going to do my best) anyways, im going to get a job to help pay for the special food ect but do any of you have input on this subject?
Your mother may ask you questions like where you will get your vitamins and minerals because most people are concerned about this, but she should be supportive. Being vegan is a hell of a lot better than people who gorge themselves on pizza and burgers all the damn day long.
However, if you mother is not supportive of your decision, that is okay because you will have the job to pay for your food. She can say whatever she needs to say. Tell her your convictions and give her some insight on the reasoning behind your switch to a vegan life.
I'm behind you all the way!
well its healthy.
Your mom has to remember that you are an individual, you have the right to your own lifestyle and that includes being vegan. I'm vegan and I love it, so much healthier than eating meat and vegan tastes way better! Just be open about it, don't give in if this is what you want to do. You can explain the health benefits to her such as lower cholesterol and lower fat, and on the flip side, if she's an animal lover explain to her that livestock really goes through a lot of pain, suffering and torture before it becomes part of a meal. PETA's website has a lot more info on this: www.peta.com good luck and hopefully she is understanding.
Do your research first before talking to your folks. That will help them see this isn't just a case of a flighty sixteen-year-old going off on a phase of some sort.
Find out how much protein, fat, sodium, etc, a sixteen-year-old girl of your build requires to stay healthy. Find foods (the more normal the better) that will give you the amounts of these items you should have. Find a multivitamin that is vegan-friendly.
Figure out a few menus for yourself -- don't be too ambitious, starting with all sorts of odd stuff that's hard to fix. Show your mom you respect her time and efforts by offering to at least help cook for yourself. Figure out a few dishes the whole family can eat. Does your family like Minestrone soup or bean soup or the Mexican dish beans and rice? If the cheese is left as an add-on, to be added to one's own plate or bowl at the table, the whole family can eat the same thing. Find some not-too-odd dishes you can all eat. Suggest to your mom that she might serve these once a week or so; that way, you aren't separating yourself from the family constantly.
Prepare your case well and don't plan on a fight. Plan to be reasonable and expect to be treated reasonably. Be as mature about it as you possibly can. If your folks still balk, suggest they let you try it for a month. See how it goes. Otherwise, you'll just have to wait until you're on your own. If they say no, accept it as maturely as you can. Turning into a little brat when you don't get your way (not that you would, of course) will only show them they were right to keep more control over your life.
When my best friend decided to become vegan she hid it from her mom at first. When she finally told her mom, her mom was really surprised but not mad at all like she expected her to be. What do you think your mom's reaction will be? If you think she will get mad for some reason or say your decision is unreasonable or something, then you should try to explain why you chose to become vegan and the positive results of being vegan. I learned from my friend that there actually are a lot. If you think she will be ok with your choice and supportive then I think you should just tell her that you want to try being vegan. And either way you should tell her that it can actually be better for the environment and if you eat right it can actually be healthier. Hope this helps!
You don't have to be vegan, if your intention is to avoid animal products that cause maximum cruelty. You can be a vegetarian and still hold up to your beliefs. Just avoid all kinds of meat and eggs. Dairy products are okay, because producing milk is not as cruel or whatever, compared to killing animals for meat. You can get all the vitamins and minerals from whole milk and lots of fruits and veggies.
Why are you thinking about fossil fuels? Those were formed millenia before the first human. So you do not contribute to creating fossil fuels. As for sugar, you have to be a little realistic as well. If that's the case, then you'll have to go without cakes and pastries, because they contain egg.
i don't understand why you're so worried about a label. i'm sure you can live your life just fine by eating things you feel comfortable with.
unfortunately people become vegan because they have low self esteem and they do it to belong to a group, and the ability to use the "vegan" label as their identity.
i bet if you lived vegan principles without telling a single person about it, they would never tell the difference and you wouldn't have to worry about how people react.
I am 15. I just outright told my parents that I don't want to eat murder on a plate anymore... My mom is cool with it... And my dad makes fun of me for it. It doesn't truly matter however. The only thing that matters is that you are comfortable with who you are.
you should read the book vegan freak its very useful
Just remember it is a lifestyle and lifelong choice. Don't take it lightly. The ones that last are the ones that do it for enlightened reasoning and dont shove it down everyone elses throat. Don't try and change your parents and everyone around you and you will find they will be less apt to attack your choices. Remind them that your position is not eating "murder on a plate" everyday and they will not respect your postion.
Best of luck either way.
i'm 14 and my mom reacted fine when i told her i was a vegan. my dad was a little mad at first cause he is all about nutrition. but i say go for it. i became a vegiterian when i was 9. i have never cheated. just be sure to eat healthy food. some options are:
salad
fruit
vegitarian beans (regular is cooked in lard)
there is vegan soup
some breads
and some crackers
just be sure to check the ingrediants before you eat the food.
:]
I would be afraid if I were you too, young lady.
Your mom knows what is best for you, and its not eating all veggies.
Do what many others are doing, learn to cook for yourself. Let your mom cook for herself.
By the way, people who eat beef/chicken/etc also eat plenty of vegetables and beans. So I am sure she will be open to good healthy cooking. Show her some of these recipes:
http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Vegetarian-M...
Dont be a vegan. Ive noticed it is kindof a big trend among teenage girls nowdays... Its not healthy not to eat products from animals. There are healthy ways to eat Animal products. Trust me, I knew a whole family of Vegans, and they were shocked one day when they came home from they doctor with news that they were "Underweight". Haha
Tell her you're gay, first. Then retract that and tell her you're vegan.