How to convince my parents to let me...?!
How to convince my parents to let me...?
be a vegetarian?
Answers:
You need to sit down with them and talk about it. Tell them why you want to be a vegetarian, see what their concerns are, discuss who will buy any special vegetarian foods, if you'll cook for yourself, et cetera.
I am assuming you're about 15, right? So you're old enough to undertake a vegetarian diet if you do it properly.
Explain to them why you want to be a vegetarian in a calm, non-accusatory manner. If you say something like "Thousands of helpless animals are being mercilessly slaughtered every day!" then they will probably think that you're being irrational and swallowing propaganda rather than thinking for yourself. But if you calmly tell them that this is a protest against animal cruelty, they will probably listen. Don't accuse them of something because they're omnivores; don't attempt to amend their diet at all. This is just about you, and if they want to follow suit then they can.
They are probably concerned that you will not get enough protein/iron/vitamins in your vegetarian diet. The best thing would be to sit down together with some cookbooks and dietary information and plan out a week or so of vegetarian meals that you can cook. That way they know that you'll be healthy and you know that you have tasty meals.
Some vegetarian foods can be expensive. Fruits and vegetables aren't outrageous, especially if you have a garden or purchase them from a farmer's market in your area (I highly suggest both ideas). But if you buy soy milk, faux meat, special cereals and frozen meals, and so on, that can really add up on the grocery bill. Beware of things that are marketed specifically to vegetarians/vegans... often they are very overpriced and you could get the same thing a lot cheaper just by reading the labels. So maybe they don't want to pay the extra money for really expensive replacements for what you'd be giving up. In that case, you would either have to forego the products (which I reccommend) or pay for it yourself.
Also, if you're the only vegetarian in the family, you will probably have to cook for yourself most of the time. It sounds simple enough, but when you think about it, it can actually take a lot of time to prepare 3 meals every day. Make sure that it does not cut into your homework time, as that is probably a concern of theirs. I suggest that you make a big pot of vegetarian soup on the weekend and keep it in the refrigerator/freezer, and that way you can warm it up on weeknights instead of cooking. You can do the same thing with vegetarian casseroles.
Source(s):
By the way, beware of PETA and buying all sorts of supplements. I sent away for the vegetarian starter kit, and it actually contained very little information, mostly propaganda. You'd be far better off going to your local library and getting some nutrition books to study. And you don't need all those expensive supplements if you design your vegetarian diet to include a variety of fresh, healthy foods.
“It is the position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.”
“Well-planned vegan and other types of vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence. Vegetarian diets offer a number of nutritional benefits, including lower levels of saturated fat, cholesterol, and animal protein as well as higher levels of carbohydrates, fiber, magnesium, potassium, folate, and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and phytochemicals. Vegetarians have been reported to have lower body mass indices than nonvegetarians, as well as lower rates of death from ischemic heart disease; vegetarians also show lower blood cholesterol levels; lower blood pressure; and lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer.“
-ADA’s and Dietitians of Canada position on Vegetarian and Vegan diets
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/3002-be...
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/4221-de...
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/3003-be...
Hello, I understand opposition to being vegetarian. I am from the South and when people found out I was going to remain vegetarian while pregnant and also raise my child as a vegetarian they freaked out. Everyone said things like "oh, you won't get enough iron, or protein or calcium...". It was always something. So, the best thing you can do is educate yourself about being vegetarian so that when you go to talk to them you will be prepared to explain how you will keep yourself healthy. Go to www.peta.org and get their free vegetarian starter kit. It will have lots of good info in it. There are also videos you can watch there to educate you on some things. There is also the Vegetarian Resource Group at www.vrg.org . They have tons of info on nutrition and links especially for teens, Family and, Kids. I will tell you one thing, out of all the vitamins people said I needed to keep in mind none of them were true except, B12 and Omega 3 Fatty Acids. You can find B12 supplements anywhere (Wal Mart) or in B12 fortified soymilk or Vegetarian Support Formula Nutritional Yeast. You can get Omega 3 Fatty Acids from Flaxseed Oil, Flaxseed or Walnuts or by using soybean oils to cook with. Make sure you know exactly why you feel that you want to become vegetarian, that is a personal reason for everyone. And educate yourself on how you will stay healthy and I think you will have a good start. From there take any concerns or questions your parents have and try to find answers to assure them that you will be a happier healthier person once you rid your body of the toxins in flesh.
I went through this with my folks when I was 17. I told them I wasn't going to eat meat any more. They laughed at me and said, "But you hate vegetables!" When they realized I was serious, they were offended, but they said it was fine as long as I cooked my own dinner. They made fun of me for a few years, but the last laugh was mine. Now it's 14 years later, my parents and I have been vegan for years, and we all have Tofurkey for Thanksgiving.
It depends on your parents, though, and your relationship with them. I would have been vegetarian at 14, but my family was super-poor, and we just couldn't afford two separate sets of food. The main thing is, try to make it easy for them. Make it clear that you're willing to pull your weight in the kitchen. Show that you've done your nutritional research. Be polite and don't rebel about issues that are less important to you. Start by ordering veggie dishes when you go out to eat. Get some recipes online and cook something for the family to try. Take the long view, and don't give up, even if someone tricks you into eating meat or tries to guilt-trip you. Before you know it you'll be an adult and you can make your own decisions, no matter what they say.
You need to let them know you're serious about this. Check the internet for vegetarian websites with reasons why being vegetarian is healthier. Collect lots of information so you can really tell them about it. Also, tell them about the alternitives to meat and what you need to eat to protein, etc.
I just became a vegetarian a few months ago and I'm 15. Since my mom used to be vegeatian she understands and everything, so it made it easy for me.