How should I convince my mom to let me be a vegitarian?!


Question:

How should I convince my mom to let me be a vegitarian?

Right now, I only eat chicken because my mom forces me to. She said that otherwise I won't get enough protein and her other reason is that we don't buy enough vegtables.


Answers:
Hi Tina

A lot of people have already explained how you will be perfectly healthy and she doesn't need to worry, but I think a lot of parents just get annoyed because it's extra work for them when they have to cook. But it does not have to be that way! I don't know what sort of stuff she usually makes, but it doesn't have to be much effort. Some ideas-

If she makes steak, potatoes and veggies for dinner- She can just grill you a meat substitute instead of the steak.

If you have burgers or hotdogs for dinner- Easy, they do veggie versions of this stuff anyway.

If you have pasta with meat sauce, she can heat you up a meatless sauce.

If you have lasagne, she can make half the lasagne without meat sauce.

If you have a casserole, she can just make a meatless version in a smaller dish at the same time.

If you have tacos or fajitas, you can just have the onions and peppers in yours, or refried beans.

If you really need a seperate dinner from everyone else, you could ask her to put a big potato in the oven or microwave, and you could top that with beans, cheese ro whatever else is lying around. Easy. Or she could quickly whip up an omelette or stiry fry.

Offer to do the cooking every now an again and make veggie meals for the whole family.

If she really has a problem with it, offer to cook any extra food you need yourself.

As for the vegetable shortages- well you should be getting 5 portions of fruit and veggies a day anyway, shouldn't you? It's time to start buying more!

Good luck!

You don't have to convince her you have to tell her, she can't make you eat things you don't want to eat.

Just eat tigers (See my question)

there are other suitable protein subsitutes soya based and others tell her she is putting you at just as much risk not giving enough veg if not more so!!!

JUST EAT A LITTLE LESS ALL OF THE TIME. MOM JUST LOVES YOU AND WANTS HER BEST FOR YOU. YOU CAN ALSO EAT PEANUT BUTTER FOR PROTEIN.

I used to be a vegitarian from age 16-18. Now, I am back to meat and I love steak. However, I talked my mom into it by showing her the site below. There are even videos on the abuse of animals for fur and food that are very ridiculous and sad.
http://www.peta.com/

Just eat what you like. Tell her you would like more vegetables in your diet and that they are cheaper than meat, so it shouldn't cost much more if as much. You can get protein from milk, eggs, cheese and baked beans and pulses- they are all cheap and readily available. Just say it is really important to you and perhaps offer to help with the shopping. There needn't be too much change for either of you.

Ask her to spend less money on chicken and more on vegetables! I've been vegetarian for over 20 years and am allergic to diary.
I get plenty of protein from soy/quorn products as well as nuts and pulses. I have plenty of energy,sleep less than anybody I know and can't remember the last time I was sick. Have good skin and shiny hair.
. Maybe arrange to see your doctor who can refer you to a nutritionist who should be able to help your Mum not to worry.
Good Luck,

Get a vegeatrian cookbook and a vegetarian nutrition book from the library. A good book will have an explanation of "proteins" and iron, calcium etc issues.

Eating a bean/legume with a rice for example, give you a great protein! Protein can be found in other foods besides meat....

Because you become vegetarian doesn't mean that you suddenly need to eat 5 times the amount of foods in vegetables either... your mom cares, and is worried, so now you need to have a talk using the books, she can also read the books, and you can design meals together that are "balanced". Again, balance is not in one day, balance is say over a week....

eat meat & stop bein stupid

Try to educate yourself as much as possible about the vegetarian diet, source of protein, iron.... Then you can tell your Mom. Listen here is a list. That is how many grams of protein I can get from beans, tofu... Vs. Chicken... I am no sure how old you are but you should not be forced to eat chicken if you want to be vegetarian. This is not really fair. Just explain to her that this is your wish and be firm and nice at the same time.

Research thoroughly what you will have to eat to be a healthy vegetarian. My Mum was so worried when I became vegetarian until I sent her all the facts and told her that I am making sure I get all I need from others sources! It isn't just a case of cutting out meat. There is a good vegetarian book called Great Vegetarian Food (ISBN: 1-86396-228-x) that tells you all you need to know! Good luck.

What are your reasons for wanting to be veggie? I take it you have explained them to your mother and that she hasn't understood?

If you eat a well-balanced diet you can be just as healthy as a meat eater - more so because you eat less heavy or cholesterol/ fat rich foods.

Your mum should buy more vegetables for her own health as well to make sure that she gets enough vitamins, fibre etc. That would be better for both of you.

Protein is available in nuts, seeds and beans as well as meat alternatives which are available in almost all supermarkets as well as specialist health shops. It is not necessary to eat meat to get enough protein.

I have been vegan all my life because I am allergic to animal proteins. However, I have never broken any bones and I never have to diet to keep in shape so it's definitely a healthy thing to do.

First of all how old are you? If you don't want to eat meat explain to her if she has a heart she will understand. If she wants you to be healthy then don't eat meat.

if you wanted to you convince her... because i know few people who is vegetarian and they still get proteins..and they are health..
You get protein from beans,or brown rice.. and get whole wheat bread.. Tofu... and vegetables is not protein.. they actually carbs.. You can look up protein food.. but mostly yellow split peas or peas.. there much more.. But you know mostly India people is vegetarian...
But you should convince her it your own body you do not have to eat it.. just tell her or explain to her

Hi, you should make sure that you have lots of information about how to get a healthy balanced vegetarian diet and let your Mom know that you intend to do your best to be healthy. This article may help you : http://www.recipesforvegans.co.uk/vegann...

my daughter is 7 and decided herself that she wanted to be a vegetarian, it's your choice not your mums, just tell her you're going to be a vegetarian.

Hi Tina,

If your mum really has narrowed it down to these 2 reasons then you've won !

You don't need chicken to get your protien. You can get plenty from veggies and eggs.

Its easy to but a few more veggies, perhaps look at getting a veggie cookbook for christmas, there are some great ones out there.

On average, veggies can expect to live 15 years longer than meateaters. So your mum should be delighted that you are going to live a long and healthy live, don't all parents want that ?

Congratulations. Millions of animals appreciate your decision every day. Nice one.

I've been veggie for 26 years, never ill, and i never take any suppliments. I'm also an arable farmer so used to doing lots of manual work. I'm much fitter than the majority of meat eaters.

Protein! I love that "excuse"!
Meat does contain protein, but Quorn and all the other veggie things are MADE FROM PROTEIN, why don't poeple see that that's better?
~Peanut butter~ is a good source of protein and you don't need to eat a lot of vegetables (I hate vegetables) just try and eat more friut.

buy a good veggie good book that includes all the nutrients that each meal has. start off with one veggie meal a week. this wilhelp you and your mom understand which foods to buy,how to prepare and cook.remember you wanting to veggie is taken your mom and family out of their food comfort zone.then you can build up to 2 veggies meal a week and so. so everyone is comfortable with it,and your mom and family can see that your serious about this and just an other new faze. good luck

tell her it is for ethnical reasons, and that tofo and protein supplements are a good supsitute

its easy to convince people when you take certain physical and visible actions to drive home the point that you are trying to make.
i will suggest that you go to your backyard,get down on all four and grub as much as you like. if you cant convince her this way, you cant any other way.




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