I want to become a vegetarian but i need some help please!?!
Jenna ??
Answers: i really want to become a vegetarian but i dont know if my parents would agree with it how do i convince them o really want to do this?? also what do you eat like ive got veggie burgers, pasta, what else?? thanks sooo much
Jenna ??
Parents usually freak out, but they also usually get over it.
Check out www.vegsoc.org as well as www.vegsource.com.
"Diet for a New America" by John Robbins, as mentioned earlier is fantastic I gave that to my mum to read when I was 15 and she turned vegetarian herself (not all parents will do this, so don't expect it!). John Robbins has a more updated book called "The Food Revolution" which is also sensational and simple to read. Another Peter Singer book is "the Ethics of What We Eat" and will make anyone who reads it think twice.
The DVD "earthlings" narrated by Joaquin Phoenix is very good from an animal welfare perspective. It is difficult to watch as most of the footage is of animal cruelty, but very valuable to understand what really goes on to get meat on the table or shoes on our feet (www.isawearthlings.com).
I suggest that if you don't already, learn how to cook for yourself. It will make everything easier. The last thing your parents want to do is prepare special food for you. www.vegweb.com is a great source of recipes.
Avoid living on fake meat products because they are highly processed and it will inevitably lead to your family asking why you eat food that pretends to be meat if you want to be a vegetarian. And that gets really annoying.
Make sure you eat a variety of food - vegetables, bean/tofu/legumes, nuts, seeds, grain, fruit, sea vegetables to avoid nutritional deficiencies. John Robbins' books are very hepful to give you an idea, but there are heaps of websites and books on vegetarian nutrition. DO your research. Perhaps even see a nutritionist or naturopath and ask your parents to come with you (call the office and check that they are veggie-friendly first though!).
The more well-informed you are, the more likely your parents are to accept your decision. People who know me know that they cannot win a meat eater vs vegetarian argument against me - I am just too well-inormed for them.
Don't preach or pass judgment on what your family eats. Live what you believe and you will notice that their meat consumption will gradually decrease. This is where cooking for yourself is really helpful..they just notice what you eat and it filters through.
If your parents are opposed to the idea, ask them to give you a month (you can't die of malnutrition in a month in Western society) and then if everything is cool, ask them for another month. Keep doing this until they figure that it's a permanent decision.
I love cooking and eat so many different foods. It's definitely the most varied and delicious diet you can eat. In the last couple of weeks I have had as my main meals: ratatouille, leek & potato soup, cauliflower tagine with tunisian cous cous, nut roast, eggplant and chickpea casserole, zucchini, caper and parmesan pasta, walnut stuffed mushrooms, tofu 'fish' fillets(home made), zucchini soup, eggplant & cracked wheat 'kibbeh' (a variation on a Lebanese dish) and that's all I can remember.
Sorry for the huge essay, hope it helps!
My parents had a little trouble adjusting to it too but I showed them how i was eating healthy and getting my protein and iron they kind of backed off. If you decide to go vegetarian you really need to make sure you are eating lots more protein and getting you're daily intake of iron and zinc otherwise you could turn anaemic and get low immunity. I probably wouldnt recomend store bought vegie burgers, on my experience they are just potato, carrot and a whole lot of preservatives. Unless of course you have found some lovely, fresh, high protein ones then by all means enjoy them! You need to be eating protein twice a day (if not more) this includes: nuts, eggs, seeds (especially linseeds), tofu, lentils, beans, tempeh. Try going to organic shops they generally have the best variety of vegetarian foods. Also investing in a good recipie book that focuses on nutrition for vegetarians is a good idea. For your iron you need to be eating any of the protein foods mentioned above as well as green leafy veg. To make sure your getting your good oils like omega you need to eat avocado and linseeds. You should aim to eat 5 serves of veg per day as well as 2 fruits. Finally, avoid all refined carbs (white breads etc) and stick to wholemeal, rye breads and rice. I love being vegetarian - i have never felt better! But it does take a little bit of planning and research to get it right. Basically, after babbiling on so much my number one piece of advice would be to get a good vegetarian recipe book that deals with nutrition too. Enjoy!!
Talk to your parents about why you want to stop eating meat.
If they don't accept your reasoning, go to your library and get a book called "Diet for a new America" by John Robbins. Read it and then show them all the bits that relate to health and/or animal welfare if that is why you want to give up meat. If you can't get Robbins book, there is one by Peter Singer called "animal liberation" but that is not as easy to read as the Robbins book as it is philosophy rather than just a guide for the good reasons to give up meat.
If however you are interested in environmental reasons, they are not really covered in John Robbins book as it is a bit too old. Instead show them this article from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations which states that livestock production is a major contributor to global warming: http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006...
hhahahh just tell them and give them reasons y
salads
a WHOOOLLLLEEEE bunch of indian food
Good for you! Good for the planet and the animals too. I have read the responses of the first to people posted and they are pretty much right on -- except for the comment about prepared burgers et al in the markets which isn't quite .accurate -- for example Boca Burgers are made with a soy analog and are actually packed with protein and flavor. There are lots of other products available at the health food stores and the supermarkets too for that matter. Check out the products of Lightlife, Tofurky, Yves. For awesome recipes all free for the download go to http://www.your-vegetarian-kitchen.com/h...
And for a step by step how to do it healthfully check out www.vege123.com
As for your parents, they are no doubt concerned for your health and well being first and foremost. They may however, see your choice as being a burden on them in some way -- whether in terms of preparing different foods for you than for the rest of the family; or in terms of explaining to their friends and the rest of the family what is going on. So, help them. Help them to understand that you are committed to the change in diet in the most non-threatening way you can. Sometimes parents see a decision to "go Veg" as a rejection of them and their values. If you speak with them lovingly, and if you assure them that your love and appreciation of them and what they have taught you about responsibility and compassion have lead you to this decision; that it isn't just a phase you are going through or some weird fad thing; and if you allay their fears about your health and adequate nutrition; about how you are not going to lecture them at every meal about their food choices; and; if you simply give them information loaded with the hard facts and not too much emotion, you should not have too much trouble convincing them. But do your research. And do invite conversation -- not argument. Good luck. You'll be fine. And you have a dynamite support group right here to answer your questions and concerns and theirs.
you should sooo do it!!
tell them you become healthier stronger faster and all those good stuff
Good choice for you!! A vegetarian diet, done right, is very healthy compared to the typical western diet..
For your parents: Do your research before you drop the bomb on them.. read up on nutrition.. specifically which fruits/vegetables, etc contain protien (legumes and nuts) Calcium (green leafys) and iron (green leafys) That way when you tell your parents, they can see that you've done the research and are going to make sure you get the right nutrition on a vegetarian diet.. this will increase the chances that they will be supportive
also offer to learn how to cook and help mom in the kitchen so she won't have to prepare two separate meals, one for you and one for the rest of the family.. let her know up front that you are willing to take that responsibility pssst.. cooking is fun!!!
What to eat: Anything that didn't require the death of an animal.. that's pretty simple, isn't it? For the healthiest diet, it should focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes/nuts.. go ahead and use fake meats (like veggie burgers) but in moderation!!! DOn't go overboard on them, because they're not the healthiest, and you can actually gain weight if you replace the meat in your diet with junk foods and fake meats.. Junk food is okay on occasion, but careful moderation!! Ailso gon't go crazy on cheese, dairy and eggs.. moderation..remember.. the biggest part of your diet should be whole grains, fruits vegetables, legumes, nuts,
Meal ideas: There's salads (get creative!! kidney beans are good protien and yummy on salads..) cereals, pasta dishes, sandwiches (tomato, cheese, tofu, hummus,) there's all the standard mexican favorites, using beans and/or fake meat instead of real meat, there's international dishes (HInt: Alot of asian food (including from INdia) is basically vegetarian or very easy to make vegetarian) Learn about the joys of curries, Korean food, etc
Hope this helps
Good luck to you!!!
say its youre dream to become vegetarian and explain to them about veg stuff.
i am one and it is not that hard after a while and you find out wat u like. <fruits, veggies, nuts, etc.> its up 2 u...