My friends are *VERY* uneducated about veganism. Why are people so clueless?!

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They probably just didn't research it because they don't have too.

It's not their fault, but they shouldn't act like they know more about veganism...

People hear things, and because it doesn't affect them, they don't check to see if it's accurate. Then they lecture people based on some story they heard. Oh well.

Vegan

Probably because the subject does not interest them.
The fact that somebody is not interested enough in veganism to have studied it does not make them uneducated, clueless, annoying, immature, ignorant, brainwashed, or stupid, as you and the other arrogant and judgmental vegetarian posters have claimed.

I seriously doubt that you or the other smug, condescending posters are experts on many subjects that do not interest you; why should you expect it of your friends?
Maybe YOU should be the one to be "mature" about it, while you still have some friends left.

I know it can be annoying dealing with elementary questions about veganism, but as long as the question is asked in earnest, try to be as informative as possible. This could be an opportunity to teach someone something new. Veganism is still not mainstream, and many people have never heard of it. Represent it in the best way possible, and try to be non-judgmental, informative, and friendly! (Can be challenging, I know)

Well first of all, most people in the 10th grade are not educated and mature. Second of all, most people have been brainwashed their entire lives to believe that without eating animal products, they would become weak and need to rely on supplements. Don't argue with your friends. Just ignore their comments and prove them wrong by eating healthy.

vegan :D

Once upon a time we were taught at school about the difference between meat eater, veggies and vegans. We had an understanding re a balanced diet and accessing protein etc.
Lots of people simply do not have that knowledge and also a lot of so called veggies have no idea about a balanced diet and even think that eating fish still makes them veggies.

im a vegetarian too :)
and i get asked all those questions to but the only difference is that im in grade 9.
its kinda annoying sometimes to get asked those questions over and over again.
but i get all my nutrients and i also don't take vitamins.
and vegetarians are not hippies

Long terms Veg*ns need Vitamin B12, or Cobalin, supplements, and yes, some do need supplements. Not all. Ask them, where does meat get its nutrients from in the first place? Then you can tell them about colan damage and chemicals in meat!

Vegetarian.

you do need to supplement vitamin B12 which is mostly found in animal products. a slight deficiency of B12 can lead to anemia, fatigue, mania, and depression, while a long term deficiency can potentially cause permanent damage to the brain and central nervous system.

It's because it isn't an interest of theirs. If I asked you a question on astronomy, you probably wouldn't be able to answer it, then I could moan on and on and on about how people are *VERY* uneducated about astronomy.

Vegan..

Yup, dairy is a horrible way to get calcium. Back in the 80's and 90's the dairy industry and FDA really pushed the whole "Milk: It does a body good" spiel. No, no it doesn't ;)

Would be better off getting it from dark leafy greens.

It's not the fact the cow has the calcium that makes it hard to absorb, it is a combination of Calcium and other vitamins that allow for the absorbption to take place.

So, when you first decided to go vegan, you knew everything about it? Teach them. This is your opportunity to explain this way of eating. I don't really get it, either, and I'm 41. So what.

lol, they never "mature about it"---and its our social responsibility to educate them :-) heres a link on natural vegan sources of protein and calcium
http://wayfaringvegans.weebly.com/consum…

because to accept reality is to have to deal with reality. it is too much work and trouble for most people. ignorance is the easy way out.

i'm a vegan.

You need to find some good websites and health books that talk about veganism and vegetarianism. Give your friends these sources, educate them. Don't be annoyed, they are just ignorant. So teach them.

Dont be pouty about it.
Of course they dont know about the vegan diet. Your probably the first vegan theyve met.
And the food pyramid in school teaches you that you need meat and dairy.

Its not that everyones clueless its just that its not important to ppl that arent vegan. (Example. If im catholic im not gonna go and study the torah)

You really thought that kids in 10th grade would be mature and educated about anything? Seriously?

Your friend sounds very uneducated... and stupid.
Just ignore them. One day they'll realize milk isn't as healthy as it seems.

Same thing happened to me! People have also told me continually that I should take fish oil for omega-3s- when omega-3 ALA is found in foods I eat almost every day (like walnuts and olive oil), and fish oil isn't even vegetarian! And then stupid vegetarians who haven't done their research- two girls in my class did this- start loading up on supplements, and then everybody looks at them and thinks they're doing the right thing... what the heck?

People always tell me to get protein powder, calcium, iron, etc supplements. Not one person has ever told me to make sure to get enough B12, which is the ONLY worry in a well-balanced vegan diet.
People are just uneducated about nutrition, in my opinion.

Plus, veganism is very out-of-the-way diet. People don't know much about nutrition... they know even less about vegan nutrition.

Christopher: the objection against eggs isn't because we think the egg will hatch. All eggs that were laid by hens in a farm with roosters housed with them must be labeled- in the US at least. It's more that when the hens are bred, any male chicks are killed- they are obviously useless to the egg industry, and they don't grow fast enough to be profitable as meat. The hens are also sent to slaughter after their egg production declines. Also, many factory farms use battery cages- it's legal in the US to squeeze 3 hens in a cage 1 foot long, since each hen is only required by law to have 4 inches 'feeder space'. Also in the US- there are no requirements for labelling the eggs 'free range'- you can basically label them whatever you want, and charge more.
I know if you aren't in the US, the last 2 don't apply- but the first two objections will basically hold true for all eggs except those kept as hobbies/pets.

*Agrees with $0.02 remains* I literally laughed out loud.

I'm vegan and in 10th grade too.

You'd be surprised, I've met people who are over 30 and they are completely ignorant of others dietary requirements. I would just ignore those people and honestly i don't think they are your friends, because if they were they would respect your decision to become vegetarian and that you know what you are doing. I do appreciate the concern because there are alot of people (especially young ones) who become vegetarian without checking the dietary requirements they would need and thus get mal nourished or gain excessive weight because they just eat processed junk food because that's all they think they can eat.

I have started taking vitamins because I moved to a clod climate that i am not used to and my hair and nails were starting to get frail, i take B-12. I eat healthy, I do not eat processed foods (especially junk food) and I exercise 4 days a week. I have gotten alot healthier since becoming lacto-ovo-vegetarian but I don't think I'll be able to become vegan because I like eggs to much.

Because vegetarians are hippies and nobody likes hippies. You make me want to roundhouse kick you.