Becoming A Veggie-saur!

Hellos everyone! Recently I have pondered whether or not I should become a vegetarian. I really like animals-- I've grown up around them; infact, I still have lotsa pets (two dogs, a cat, a parrot, chickens, and goldfishies). I am a pacifist. I really want to protect the environment and cute innocent animals. C: And I have my reasons, and I am more than capable of surviving, but theres just one issue. My mom. She thinks vegetarians are crazy and she is diagnosed with OverProtectiveParent Disease. I am not sure I am going to be able to convince her. Moreover, she would tell my step-dad, my real dad, my dad's girlfriend, and my friends. I know my step-dad would make fun of me. That's just the way he is.

So is the daily diet of a vegetarian oh-so-very different from a non-vegeterian person? I don't want my family to always have to make me "special vegetarian meals" just for me. I just want dinner to be as quick and painless as possible.

Also, any suggestions on how I should tell everyone that I am vegetarian (especially the parents)? Please please tell me that people won't care and accept my desicion...

Unfortunately you're right. People will not understand and will make fun of you. I was quite shocked at how many people felt the need to comment on what I choose to eat when I turned veg-head. (Really, I don't understand why they care what I eat!) You'll get used to it though, and if you don't act like it's a big deal then people get over it quickly (and those who don't you don't need in your life anyways) Just be truthful and explain your reasons for your choice.

Parents and family can be difficult, but as long as they don't feel you are judging them or making a statement about their choices they will learn to accept it. You will learn to navigate dinners and dining out with time and practice. You shouldn't feel the need to convince them though - you control what you eat, why should they have a say? I'm sure they wouldn't comment on you eating a double fudge sunday, so let them know that they shouldn't worry about your veggie burger either. What I've done for my parents is cook them a few vegan meals (which they loved) and so they see that I'm not starving and am eating a nutritionally sound balanced diet.

Unfortunately you're right. People will not understand and will make fun of you. I was quite shocked at how many people felt the need to comment on what I choose to eat when I turned veg-head. (Really, I don't understand why they care what I eat!) You'll get used to it though, and if you don't act like it's a big deal then people get over it quickly (and those who don't you don't need in your life anyways) Just be truthful and explain your reasons for your choice.

Parents and family can be difficult, but as long as they don't feel you are judging them or making a statement about their choices they will learn to accept it. You will learn to navigate dinners and dining out with time and practice. You shouldn't feel the need to convince them though - you control what you eat, why should they have a say? I'm sure they wouldn't comment on you eating a double fudge sunday, so let them know that they shouldn't worry about your veggie burger either. What I've done for my parents is cook them a few vegan meals (which they loved) and so they see that I'm not starving and am eating a nutritionally sound balanced diet.

Thank you very much! C: I feel a lot better and a lot less alone

aaah i know how you feel. When I decided to become vegetarian, many people called me crazy. Including my mom. At first my parents didn't let me, and only until after a while my dad let me become pescetarian. Finally I completely broke out one day because i didn't believe it was fair. We talked and I was finally allowed...

It's still no easy process. Like sybil said, many people won't like your decision. "Where do you get your protein?", "You're depriving your body"...etc. it's really frustrating. I did enough research when I decided to become a vegetarian to make sure I'm a healthy vegetarian. CC also helps me because I can make sure my fat/carb/protein ratios are alright. So when people try to argue points with me, I just argue back and prove you can be healthy and be vegetarian.

Just make sure you're a healthy vegetarian, too. :)

You can argue the health benefits of being a vegetarian. Instead of saying that I think animals are cute so I won't eat them i told people that meat stays in your stomach for 5 days after you eat it. Pretty Disgusting. Just that thought alone convinced a friend of mine to lay off the beef.

Personally i'm a pescetarian, there are health benefits to eating fish and it's certainly healthier than eating meat (especially red). I did it in a gradual process so everyone- friends and family- got used to it. First red meat, then chicken. In a month or so i might stop eating fish as well- we'll see.

As for family meals, there are meat substitutes like quorn and morning star. When your whoever's frying some chicken or hot dogs, they can substitute one pretend meat for you. It's less of a hassle than people tend to think.

my family wouldn't let me go veg for a while, either. i always hated the taste and texture of meat, so that lent "credibility" (in my family's eyes) to my choice. but then when i went vegan... whoo boy, everyone thinks you're borderline retarded.

i don't know how many side items your family dinners offer, but i used to fill up on those before i got old and moved out. :) there might be salad, rolls, and broccoli to eat without asking anyone to make me something special. if you need something more, i'd advise to help purchase your own entree ingredients at the grocery store. if you don't really cook, there are plenty of microwaveable option

if you do have to defend your choice, i've found it most effective to tout the health aspects or the just generally gross aspects of meat and meat production (for example, in henhouses, because the hens are artificially inseminated, they have no use for male chicks when they hatch, so they grind them up and use them as feed for the hens). usually saying something like that shuts people up. good luck!

heyy i've been a vegetarian since July and I have gotten ALOT of crap about it. From friends to family to waitresses to chef's. i love their reaction when i say, "can i have a chef's salad without meat" I get alot of raised eyebrows. with that said People criticize, thats just life.  ignore it, dont try to argue it. In your head just criticize THEIR choice of 100% cruelty, disgusting meat. I agree with samesofam, if you do wish to tell them anything, state the health facts, because that def. shuts them up. Especially since they don't even do any research on the benefits of becoming a vegetarian. Most people think that your not getting "enough nutrients.." But there are SO many options these days in getting your protein in. So enjoy continuing loving your animal friends :)

peace

Just about everyone will get defensive in some way, or think you're crazy.  You just gotta live with it.  It goes a lot smoother if you say you're interested in the health benefits, or you just 'feel better this way', than if you say "Oh, I don't eat cute little innocent animals", because that way people won't get all insulted that you're practically calling them animal-murderers.  Which they are, but most (NOT ALL) people will try to ignore or avoid the fact that most animals raised for food are tortured and then inhumanely killed all because they want, not need, to eat them. 

So, if you're trying to avoid confrontation, just don't be accusing or snooty about it.  You make your choice on what to eat, they'll make their choice, and leave it at that.  Trying to 'convert' them opens up the door for trouble, do so at your own risk. >.>;

They don't need to make 'vegetarian meals' unless they feel like it, mention that to them.  Ask that whoever cooks please not add animal products to otherwise veggie-friendly side dishes, or save out a portion for you.  Like, no bacon in the greenbeans, 'n such, so you have something to eat at dinner.  That'll probably go over better than asking for totally meatless meals in an omnivore household.

Since you're doing it for the animals, though, watch yourself.  Some people will get on your case if you mention you don't eat beef because you like cows, and then you go slurp down a splenda-laced light drink that took thousands of tortured beagles to create. [source]  Just be careful what you say, because even though no one's perfect, people tend to expect vegetarians to be.

Good luck. :)

My mother was furious when I went vegetarian at 16 1/2 years old. That was almost 5 years ago. She stopped buying food for me and cooking for me, so I learned to pick out my own food and cook it. It was easy, until my mom stopped buying me food at all--but I was dating a vegan, went vegan, and ate at his house a lot. My mother couldn't understand, still doesn't. Neither do my friends and many other family members. My father understands the health benefits, so that is the aspect you should try. No one really wants to listen to anything about animal rights or welfare--people prefer to remain ignorant of animal suffering in the food industry. Do what you know you want, and learn to cook. Just ignore people who don't get it--they don't want to get it.

i get so much crap for being vegan. people seem to think the whole thing is a big joke. my diet is a constant target for jokes by my family and friends.  it's something you have to get used to.

your diet will not differ much since you're not cutting out dairy and eggs (i'm assuming). mock meats are okay occasionally but try to limit the processed stuff. ask your parents if you can cook a vegetarian meal for the family once a week. i did this at first when my parents were wary of me changing my diet but now they're totally fine with it.