How to tell my mom I want to be a Vegetarian?!


Question: How to tell my mom I want to be a Vegetarian?
I grew up eating meat, but for a couple months I've been thinking about becoming a Vegetarian. There's just one problem. My mom can be very judge mental if you know what I mean and I just don't know how I would tell her. Please help me

Answers:

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Hi, try to find a time when she's on her own and not too busy, then ask if you can have a talk.

Be prepared to explain exactly how you feel, and your reasons for wanting to do this.
She may ask questions, so it's a good idea to have done your research beforehand to negate any criticisms she may have.
It might also be worth printing off some info on healthy eating as a vegetarian so she'll know you're serious and you know how to do it properly.

As long as you're clear about how you feel and can be as open as possible with her I'm sure she'll be more understanding than you expect.

X



This sounds very similar to my mum before I became a vegetarian. I am now 18 and I became a vegetarian at 14. I had wanted to be one since I was 12 but my mum point blank refused. One day I just put my foot down and said mum I physically cannot eat meat anymore as it makes me feel sick and I said that if she is unhappy with it then I will cook my own meals. But she eventually saw where I was coming from and even though she still isn't happy about it in the slightest, she has learnt to live with it. My advice to you would be to maybe suggest cooking with your mum or say a friend of yours suggested you try tofu or something that way she may cook a meal containing it :)

just to warn you there are health problems that come along with being vegetarian - i have anemia.

I'm a vegetarian myself and went through the same problem.



Pretty much you have to be straight up with her, i tried the whole IMPLYING method for a strong month or so & eventually my mam made me sit down & tell her why i wasn't eating dinners (most had meat) & stopped taking my usual chicken sandwiches to school.
It wasn't as bad as i imagined, just have your facts & debates. My mam said that its a dangerous thing to do if not done right, i told her about many celebrities being vegetarian who she likes, the likes of hinduims & buddhism having vegetarian lifestyles & how in the same sense i'm growing up by now learning to cook my own meals + my right to not eat a specific thing if i choose not too.

Theres plenty of sites, cross check them however for example some will claim we are natural herbivores, its a complete lie. We are omnivores able to consume meat & plant, it doesnt take away from the lifestyle we choose however.

vegetarian who had a troubled start & wish i was more straight up about it :P



Before you make the decision to do this, research, research, research! Vegetarians tend to think that all they have to do is not eat meat. But, the fact is, by cutting out meat, you're going to be lacking a LOT of nutrition. Believe it or not, our bodies are designed to REQUIRE meat and plant nutrition.

After you've researched what it means to be vegetarian, the diet, even the possible health risks (if you fail to make up for what you'll be losing), and you're still sure, try leaving hints... Print out a page or two on the subject and leave it on the table; if it's mentioned in a show you're watching, make a comment about what it might be like to eat like that; if something is said wrong about it in a program, correct it loud enough she can hear...

If you just suddenly switch, she probably will be upset. But, if you can show her that you're going to be responsible with it, and your health, and that this is something you really want, you may be able to educate her and gain her support.



I was a little uncomfortable telling my mom at first. It's something you really just have to do and get it over with. The longer you wait and think, the more difficult and awkward it will seem.
Do your research, first. I cannot tell you how long I sat on the internet looking for information about the diet and foods I could eat. It's actually not as difficult as it sounds. Then I made a huge list of simple vegetarian foods that I could find at the grocery store on a word document. Then one night I just got the courage to tell her, and she was actually okay with it. She didn't think I was serious, but she didn't freak out or forbid me from trying.
As long as you seem educated and know what you're talking about, I'm sure you'll be fine. There are so many vegetarian substitutes out there vegetarianism couldn't be any easier.
Wait for a good time, too. If you're both sitting in the living room on a quiet Saturday night that might be a good time. And remember, you're asking for her SUPPORT, not her permission. Good luck:)



Rather than get into a big, long, drawn-out argument over personal food choices, just try to be discreet when eating around her. At least at first.

That means if you eat your meals buffet-style, try to go heavy on veggies, light-to-none on the meat--then just don't eat the meat.

If she notices, just say (in a casual, non-confrontational manner), "Yeah, I was having some gastrointestinal troubles, but it cleared up once I increased my fiber intake and decreased the trans-fats." blah, blah, blah.

At least until you're out of the house/earning a paycheck/whatever else it takes to get her nose out of your dinnerplate...



I'd suggest telling her that it's something you've given a lot of thought to, and done a lot of research into. I'd also suggest that you're not lying when you say this.

It'll help her take you seriously, as it's a more mature approach than "mum, I'm not eating meat any more because of the poor fluffy baa-lambs" (which is what she'll heard from her baby daughter until you're in your 40s).



Just be honest and say "Mom, I'd like to try being a vegetarian. I have a right as a person to eat what I choose and live my life my own way."

Then she says, "No daughter of mine will be some wussy vego. That's a flawed lifestyle based largely on misconception."

You'll both be right.



Just tell her. If she really wants to be there for your life she wont care. If not you should tell her you cant be around her if she cant accept you for what you are or want to be. Sorry thats a bit harsh ;[



Just tell her and get it over with. But she'll probably try to talk you out of it, so be firm. Tell her you will try it for 6 months and then decide.



Just say you don't like how it taste.

don't say "oh it hurts my stomach, then shell send you to the doctor.

Former vegetarian(hell atleast tried!)



"Mom, I want to be a vegetarian"



Just tell her you want to be one and explain to her why.




The consumer Foods information on foodaq.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007 FoodAQ - Terms of Use - Contact us - Privacy Policy

Food's Q&A Resources