Could you please offer some advice?!
Could you please offer some advice?
I've decided to become a vegetarian, for what I believe to be rather solid reasons, but I am worried about what some people think. Usually this would not bother me, and it certainly will not prevent me from going vegetarian, but I wonder if you might offer some advice.
You see, my father takes a rather conservative approach to most things in life and highly disdains things that are too uppity or overly sensitive. I don't believe that vegetarianism necessarily is either, but he does, and he's expressed considerable dislike for what he calls "rabbit food". He jokes a lot about People for the Eating of Tasty Animals (I don't like PETA either, though), and I worry that my becoming vegetarian will put a gap in our already somewhat distant relationship.
I am not asking him or anyone else to become a vegetarian, and I am already doing most of my own cooking, so it will not require him to put in any extra effort. I just don't want him to look down on me because I'm choosing to go veg.
Answers:
Turn vegetarian, and then spend some more time with your father :)
Well, as being a vegetarian for almost 4 years now, I see what you are going through. Being a vegetarian means you can't eact any meat or anything that was killed . . .okay did you read that article in Novemebers issue of the Rollingstone MAg? I see what you mean
Buy a copie of this book and believe me after it it will help you and you'll be a full frown vegetarian:
Vegetarian For Beginiers
Good Luck and Happy vegetables!
I would not be worried about what others think but be concerned about getting enough nutritional value. Be sure you research the diet carefully as you may lack very important protein and other nutrients from the lack of meat. Be careful.
I really don't see what the big deal is. Will your father really notice if you choose a salad over meat? Maybe eating veggie burgers around him isn't the best idea but it's not like you wave the vegan flag in his face. Be subtle, don't let it become a big enough deal for it to bother him.
I have a good friend that has been a vegetarian as of 1972 and he is of good health and an active person!! He is not too thin and is far from being heavy, He probably still wears a men's small or med. and he will be 60 this year. I was one for years until I developed a sugar problem and require a special diet.
I would suggest that you get a book so you know that you are getting every thing you need in your diet. I kept dairy in my diet not all do, Also eggs.
I'm not a vegetarian, instead I'm a low carber. But given that I'm on what is considered to be a non-traditional eating plan I do understand exactly what you are worried about.
If you want to be a vegetarian for whatever reason, it's your choice and you should do it. You are the only one in charge of YOU.
Just make sure you read as much as you can so you do it in a healthy manner. I know several people who claim to be vegetarians when all they really do is eat junk and eliminate animal protein.
Here's some web sites for you. You could also try googling to get more information. I'd also suggest you find a good on-line forum where you can ask questions...
http://www.vegsoc.org/newveg/index.html...
http://www.bostonveg.org/go_veggie.html...
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/store/pro...
Here's the book mentioned by the first poster...
http://www.thisnext.com/item/c3407c64/ve...
why don't you give him a big smile and remind him that you're not asking him to eat anything special, that he was the one who raised you, so what's to talk about? he sounds a lot like my dad and if he is, he just wants to get a rise out of you. when he learns that he won't, this subject will drop! i really feel for you, tho, cuz i know how this "type" of dad can be! they're teddies on the inside, but oh! the thorns you have to battle to get to the inside! :) love you, Pops!
I am not asking him or anyone else to become a vegetarian,
remind him of this whenever you say something about it. i know what its like dealing with catholics' (my grandmother and basicly the rest of my dad's side of the family) who think being a vegetarian is wrong. i already wasnt a huge fan of her so her not liking my dission wasnt a big deal to me. sometimes you just going to have to take listening to his rants. find all your facs and put them down on paper. then when you talk to him about it show him the paper, let him read all the way through and ask him to respect you.
good luck
It's your body and you choose what to put into it - and if that doesn't include meat, so be it. Tell everyone else to mind their own business.
Most people who look down on vegetarianism are insecure about their own diet. They don't want it questioned. They don't want to know all the gruesome details of the life of that animal before it made it on to the dinner table.
My experience is that people immediately think I look down on them for being omnivorous once they learn of my dietary choices. This is all in their heads! It's part of being the dietary minority.
You've got to do what is right for you. Easier said than done, I know, but what else can you do?