A question from a vegan to other vegans? Share a little light?!
To all the vegans out there!. Please share your experiences with me!. Why did you become vegan!? Were you vegetarian first!? What made you turn to veganism!? What age were you when you made the decision!? Did you lose friendships over your veganism choices!? Do you get bullied and ridiculed for being vegan!? How do you deal with people's negative criticism!?
I'm seventeen and I am a vegan too and I get ridiculed for it nearly every day!. I've also lost my best friend over my personal choices and she refuses to accept the fact that am vegan and refuses to understand the reasons why!.
I'm not going to change who I am, I respect her choices even though some of them I do not agree with (she wants to own a fur coat)!. And nor have I thrown my opinions down her throat either!.
What was your experience!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
I'm seventeen and I am a vegan too and I get ridiculed for it nearly every day!. I've also lost my best friend over my personal choices and she refuses to accept the fact that am vegan and refuses to understand the reasons why!.
I'm not going to change who I am, I respect her choices even though some of them I do not agree with (she wants to own a fur coat)!. And nor have I thrown my opinions down her throat either!.
What was your experience!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Hi!
I went straight from omnivore to vegan on my 27th birthday in 2006!.
Before then, I had contemplated becoming vegetarian since I was 16, and was one of those "vegetarians" who occasionally ate chicken when I was 18!. I had a vegan friend, and I thought she was completely insane for eating such a "restricted" diet, so naturally I never thought I'd ever become one of "those people!."
Around the time I went vegan, I had been reading medical and nursing journals and clinical research to use for a paper I was writing for nursing school when I stumbled upon a literature review about obesity and overweight among non-vegetarians, vegetarians, and vegans!.!.!. the data was fascinating!. In nearly every study reviewed (over 50 epidemiological/clinical studies), vegans were less likely than vegetarians, and MUCH less likely than non-vegetarians to be overweight or obese!. With a little more searching, I found even more data that supported that vegans have far lower incidence of chonic illness (heart disease including DVTs, MIs and CVAs, hypertension and atherosclerosis, and other cardiac events, as well as lower incidences of diabetes, osteoperosis, irritable bowel disease, asthma, allergies, and alzheimers)!. Now, I work in health care!. I've worked in patient care service as a nurse's aide and now as a nurse for a total of 7 years!. I see it everywhere: People are getting sick very young, and they're not fluke illnesses!.!.!. people are suffering for YEARS with chronic illnesses that are preventable!. So, seeing the link between chronic illness and a non-vegan diet, veganism made perfect sense from a health-related standpoint!.
I looked online for more info about the adverse-effects of dairy foods, and I found LOTS of great info that made alot of sense!. But most of it was from PeTA, so being in total denial of the cruelty I was contributing to, I blew it off as AR propaganda!.
At this point, I was still completely blocked!. "Humans were meant to eat meat, you can't reasonably live without it, blah blah blah!." Then I was watching TV one day!.!.!.
I watched a show called How It's Made - they did a segment of hatchery chicks!. I saw the way those tiny chicks were tossed-about like beanbags, and I was just horrified!. These little babies were hatching out of their shells expecting to find mom, and all they find is machinery!. I almost cried!.
THEN I found out what happens to those chicks, the reason why they're separated by sex!. The females are grown to be layers!. The males are thrown away and destroyed!.
And that was it!. From that moment on, I was vegan!. And I was thrilled about it!. I went that day to the bookstore and bought myself 2 books: "Becoming Vegan" (Davis & melina) and "Vegan Freaks" (Torres and Torres)!. I read as much as I could, learned as much as I could, and I got started!. A couple days later I bought "Vegan With A Vengeance" - my first vegan cookbook - and I have loved it ever since!.
When I told my husband what I wanted to do (he had always said half-heartedly that he would be vegan if he had the nerve to do it), he rolled his eyes at me!. My mother-in-law was downright p*ssed!. ("She had better not become one of THOSE smug vegans that looks down their nose at you for eating steak!.) My sister-in-law laughed!. My mother thought I was insane!. Most of my friends thought I was following a trend, or that I had lost it, and most of them told me so!. (These are all the same people who BEG me for vegan cupcakes and other amazing vegan foods that I cook!.)
It was a year and a half later that my husband finally admitted to me that he realizes that it's not a phase - that I'm not ever going to go back to eating meat, eggs, or dairy!. He's watched me be a joyful vegan and make some really amazing food over the past couple of yeas, and has recently asked me to cook vegan at home for him now, too!. (I used to cook him meat, even while I was vegan!. I hated that!.) He plans to be 100% vegetarian (he can't quite stomach soy milk) when we buy our next home, and we plan to raise our children vegan as well!.
My family, in-laws and friends still don't get it, and that's okay - my ethics are mine, after all!. They still ask me if I'm still doing the "vegan thing," and are amazed that I still am!. ("I told you it wasn't a phase!") People who think differently or disagree with me aren't a threat!.!.!. they're just different!.
Very recently, my mother saw an AR book in my purse (Erik Marcus' "Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating!.") and scoffed at it!. I told her about the research I'd read, and she softened a little, but still wasn't convinced!. The very next day, she was diagnosed with a DVT (a blood-clot!. It's a form of cardiovascular disease)!. She doesn't think being vegan is so crazy an idea anymore!.
(Wow, I've really rambled on here!)
Anyways!.!.!. That's my experience!. Back to YOU now!.
Re: being ridiculed!. The nail that sticks out will always be hammered down first!. You're different, and for lots of young people that's liscence to be a jerk!. Just shake it off - high-school won't last forever!.
Re: your friend!. I'm so sorry that this person has cut herself from your life over your lifestyle!.
Keep in mind that your simply being your awesome vegan self holds up a mirror to non-vegans, and forces them to see in themselves a behaviour and attitude that isn't quite!.!.!. what's the word!.!.!. I dunno!.!.!.!. it upsets them!. It's threatening!. It's challenging!. And rather than think to themselves about the person they are and who they want to be, it's so much easier to project that fear onto you in the form of hostility and belittle you for your choices!.
Simply put, their behaviours aren't about you!. You're just the easy target!. Their ignorance is THEIRS alone and there's not a thing you can do about it!.
Keep hopeful!. The truest friends are the ones that stick by you despite your differences - THEY are the ones worth holding on to!.
Anyways, I don't know that I've been any help at all!. I hope you can find some comfort in that you aren't alone, and there are other vegans out there cheering you on!.
Keep fighting the good fight!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I went straight from omnivore to vegan on my 27th birthday in 2006!.
Before then, I had contemplated becoming vegetarian since I was 16, and was one of those "vegetarians" who occasionally ate chicken when I was 18!. I had a vegan friend, and I thought she was completely insane for eating such a "restricted" diet, so naturally I never thought I'd ever become one of "those people!."
Around the time I went vegan, I had been reading medical and nursing journals and clinical research to use for a paper I was writing for nursing school when I stumbled upon a literature review about obesity and overweight among non-vegetarians, vegetarians, and vegans!.!.!. the data was fascinating!. In nearly every study reviewed (over 50 epidemiological/clinical studies), vegans were less likely than vegetarians, and MUCH less likely than non-vegetarians to be overweight or obese!. With a little more searching, I found even more data that supported that vegans have far lower incidence of chonic illness (heart disease including DVTs, MIs and CVAs, hypertension and atherosclerosis, and other cardiac events, as well as lower incidences of diabetes, osteoperosis, irritable bowel disease, asthma, allergies, and alzheimers)!. Now, I work in health care!. I've worked in patient care service as a nurse's aide and now as a nurse for a total of 7 years!. I see it everywhere: People are getting sick very young, and they're not fluke illnesses!.!.!. people are suffering for YEARS with chronic illnesses that are preventable!. So, seeing the link between chronic illness and a non-vegan diet, veganism made perfect sense from a health-related standpoint!.
I looked online for more info about the adverse-effects of dairy foods, and I found LOTS of great info that made alot of sense!. But most of it was from PeTA, so being in total denial of the cruelty I was contributing to, I blew it off as AR propaganda!.
At this point, I was still completely blocked!. "Humans were meant to eat meat, you can't reasonably live without it, blah blah blah!." Then I was watching TV one day!.!.!.
I watched a show called How It's Made - they did a segment of hatchery chicks!. I saw the way those tiny chicks were tossed-about like beanbags, and I was just horrified!. These little babies were hatching out of their shells expecting to find mom, and all they find is machinery!. I almost cried!.
THEN I found out what happens to those chicks, the reason why they're separated by sex!. The females are grown to be layers!. The males are thrown away and destroyed!.
And that was it!. From that moment on, I was vegan!. And I was thrilled about it!. I went that day to the bookstore and bought myself 2 books: "Becoming Vegan" (Davis & melina) and "Vegan Freaks" (Torres and Torres)!. I read as much as I could, learned as much as I could, and I got started!. A couple days later I bought "Vegan With A Vengeance" - my first vegan cookbook - and I have loved it ever since!.
When I told my husband what I wanted to do (he had always said half-heartedly that he would be vegan if he had the nerve to do it), he rolled his eyes at me!. My mother-in-law was downright p*ssed!. ("She had better not become one of THOSE smug vegans that looks down their nose at you for eating steak!.) My sister-in-law laughed!. My mother thought I was insane!. Most of my friends thought I was following a trend, or that I had lost it, and most of them told me so!. (These are all the same people who BEG me for vegan cupcakes and other amazing vegan foods that I cook!.)
It was a year and a half later that my husband finally admitted to me that he realizes that it's not a phase - that I'm not ever going to go back to eating meat, eggs, or dairy!. He's watched me be a joyful vegan and make some really amazing food over the past couple of yeas, and has recently asked me to cook vegan at home for him now, too!. (I used to cook him meat, even while I was vegan!. I hated that!.) He plans to be 100% vegetarian (he can't quite stomach soy milk) when we buy our next home, and we plan to raise our children vegan as well!.
My family, in-laws and friends still don't get it, and that's okay - my ethics are mine, after all!. They still ask me if I'm still doing the "vegan thing," and are amazed that I still am!. ("I told you it wasn't a phase!") People who think differently or disagree with me aren't a threat!.!.!. they're just different!.
Very recently, my mother saw an AR book in my purse (Erik Marcus' "Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating!.") and scoffed at it!. I told her about the research I'd read, and she softened a little, but still wasn't convinced!. The very next day, she was diagnosed with a DVT (a blood-clot!. It's a form of cardiovascular disease)!. She doesn't think being vegan is so crazy an idea anymore!.
(Wow, I've really rambled on here!)
Anyways!.!.!. That's my experience!. Back to YOU now!.
Re: being ridiculed!. The nail that sticks out will always be hammered down first!. You're different, and for lots of young people that's liscence to be a jerk!. Just shake it off - high-school won't last forever!.
Re: your friend!. I'm so sorry that this person has cut herself from your life over your lifestyle!.
Keep in mind that your simply being your awesome vegan self holds up a mirror to non-vegans, and forces them to see in themselves a behaviour and attitude that isn't quite!.!.!. what's the word!.!.!. I dunno!.!.!.!. it upsets them!. It's threatening!. It's challenging!. And rather than think to themselves about the person they are and who they want to be, it's so much easier to project that fear onto you in the form of hostility and belittle you for your choices!.
Simply put, their behaviours aren't about you!. You're just the easy target!. Their ignorance is THEIRS alone and there's not a thing you can do about it!.
Keep hopeful!. The truest friends are the ones that stick by you despite your differences - THEY are the ones worth holding on to!.
Anyways, I don't know that I've been any help at all!. I hope you can find some comfort in that you aren't alone, and there are other vegans out there cheering you on!.
Keep fighting the good fight!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Hi, I'm not a vegan (or even a vegetarian), but I have a number of friends who are both!. I can't imagine what kind of friend would break up a friendship because she can't see that you're doing what you're doing because you think it is the right choice!. Why should it bother her that you don't eat animal products!? As long as you're not trying to force her to adopt your lifestyle (which it sounds like you haven't been), she should respect your decision!. You've respected hers!.
Stay strong and healthy!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Stay strong and healthy!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I went vegan a few months after going vegetarian when I found out about the dairy veal connection!. Most of my friends I made after going veg--I've had trouble making and keeping friends, sadly!.
I don't get criticism anymore, but I sure do get a lot of questions, which I am perfectly happy to answer!.
I'm sorry you lost your best friend, but how good a friend can she be if she doesn't respect your choices!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
I don't get criticism anymore, but I sure do get a lot of questions, which I am perfectly happy to answer!.
I'm sorry you lost your best friend, but how good a friend can she be if she doesn't respect your choices!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Sad to say your ex-friend's choices are typical of our "ME-Me-Me" age we are living in!.
You will & can make new freinds with similar beliefs!. I moved to a new city recently & meet some great like minded people through Vegan Meet-up!. Turns out there are lots of Vegan activities around here!.!.might be the same where you are!. You might even be able to start a groups for teens in your school!
Blessings on your path!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
You will & can make new freinds with similar beliefs!. I moved to a new city recently & meet some great like minded people through Vegan Meet-up!. Turns out there are lots of Vegan activities around here!.!.might be the same where you are!. You might even be able to start a groups for teens in your school!
Blessings on your path!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Im 16
and i've been vegetarian for a year and a month!.
and now!.!.!.
i am vegan!.
i did it because i didnt like the taste of meatt
etc!.!. although i dont get why your friends are like that!.
it has nothing to do with them and its not like its a bad thing!.
i have two really close friends that are vegetarians!.
i will be your vegan buddy :)
just email me we can talk more!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
and i've been vegetarian for a year and a month!.
and now!.!.!.
i am vegan!.
i did it because i didnt like the taste of meatt
etc!.!. although i dont get why your friends are like that!.
it has nothing to do with them and its not like its a bad thing!.
i have two really close friends that are vegetarians!.
i will be your vegan buddy :)
just email me we can talk more!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
GOOD FOR YOU!
I am a 12 yrs old girl, and I am a vegan also!. My Aunt helped me (she is a vegetarian, raw foodie), and, fortunately, my mom supported me!. I became vegan because it is the BEST WAY TO BE! Some people say that you "deprive" yourself, but that is definitely not the case!. Some of the other members of my family, however, thought I was unhealthy, and would come up to me, grab my biceps, and ask me where all my healthy muscle went!. I guess they think that fat is healthier than muscle, because that is all that is on their arms!. It makes me sad to think that behind my back, they believe that I am unhealthy, but I pray for them, and know that one day when they have another heart attack, they will understand!. I usually just say "OK", and blow it off!. I am very blessed to not have any friends that think I am weird, or crazy!.!.!.yet!. I am moving soon, so I hope that the new people I meet will accept me!. I have been a vegan for four and three-fourth months!. I found it to be my new years resolution to be come a vegetarian, and about three days after I was veggie, I googled it on the Internet and I was a vegan ever since!. I am very glad that there are still people like you in the world that will not let what someone says about them, make you throw your opinions down their throat!. Great for you to follow the Golden Rule!!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I am a 12 yrs old girl, and I am a vegan also!. My Aunt helped me (she is a vegetarian, raw foodie), and, fortunately, my mom supported me!. I became vegan because it is the BEST WAY TO BE! Some people say that you "deprive" yourself, but that is definitely not the case!. Some of the other members of my family, however, thought I was unhealthy, and would come up to me, grab my biceps, and ask me where all my healthy muscle went!. I guess they think that fat is healthier than muscle, because that is all that is on their arms!. It makes me sad to think that behind my back, they believe that I am unhealthy, but I pray for them, and know that one day when they have another heart attack, they will understand!. I usually just say "OK", and blow it off!. I am very blessed to not have any friends that think I am weird, or crazy!.!.!.yet!. I am moving soon, so I hope that the new people I meet will accept me!. I have been a vegan for four and three-fourth months!. I found it to be my new years resolution to be come a vegetarian, and about three days after I was veggie, I googled it on the Internet and I was a vegan ever since!. I am very glad that there are still people like you in the world that will not let what someone says about them, make you throw your opinions down their throat!. Great for you to follow the Golden Rule!!Www@FoodAQ@Com
I became a "vegan" when i was 21!. Some friends and family think its weird or bad for me, but they say that without doing research or and understanding of what being a vegan is!. I don't get to bothered by it!. I know they just care for me!. I became a vegan for health reasons!. I feel really good when i restrict animal products from my diet!. I have lots more energy because i'm eating foods that are good for me and that are filled with lots of vitamins and nutrients!. I think if you lost a friend because she doesn't like the way you eat, she really isn't a good friend :(!.Www@FoodAQ@Com