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I sometimes take long breaks from the site. I'm more than happy to answer anyone's questions, but just make sure they're not too time sensitive. :)Facts about me:
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advice
Im 13/f and Ive been thinking of going vegitarian for about a week. The only meat I really like is hot dogs and bacon... I love animals alot and I just dont want to eat them anymore. How can I tell my parents this? How can I keep up protein if I dont eat meat? I only really like carrots, potatoes, corn, cucumber, and peas as veggies. What are good meals I can have as a vegitarian? How can I tell my mom and dad? I have a friend who is a vegitarian and I told my mom she is and my mom said "its a stage you go through" but I dont want to eat meat anymore :/ Help>
It might be a little difficult for you if your family isn't on board too. It's less of a stage and more of something that you should try to see if it's for you. When I was a teenager, a good friend of mine decided to become vegetarian. It only lasted for a few months because she realized that it just wasn't for her. If this is something that you want to try, you should. Because you're only 13 though, there are a few things that you MUST do and these things may be difficult without support from your parents.
You are still growing, both physically and mentally. Cutting meat out of your diet and not replacing the nutrients/etc that you are losing would be really bad. It could affect your health and your mood. What you really should do is make an appointment with a dietician. This person will work with you to set up a good vegetarian diet plan made just for you. Your parents probably will not want to pay for this, however. If it won't fly, make sure you at the very least get a book.
The other thing you will need to consider is that you may need to start making your own meals for yourself. If your family is going to have hamburgers for dinner, they may not want to make something special for you. This isn't a huge deal because if you really want to do this, cooking your own food is a good way to take responsibility. The issue is that you'll have to somehow get the ingredients that you need. Your parents may have to buy certain foods for you. If they won't and you can't buy them yourself, you're not going to be able to do this.
In reality, going vegetarian while you're a teenager isn't a good idea. I'd advise against it. It's difficult to meet all of your nutritional needs and you're not in control of the household. A good time to start is when you're in college or on your own. I would definitely say that you should wait. If it's something that you really, really want to do, though, please, please at least get a book to help you. You don't want to be unhealthy. Being vegetarian and doing it the right way is a lot harder than it may seem.
Here are a few books I found. You may want to look in a bookstore or library first (if they still exist). That way you can look through it to see if you like it. I wouldn't trust anything that's online unless it's put out by a reputable organization. A book is your best bet.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Teens-Guide-Going-Vegetarian/dp/0140365893
http://www.amazon.com/Vegetables-Rock-Complete-Teenage-Vegetarians/dp/0553379240
http://www.amazon.com/Teens-Vegetarian-Cookbook-Judy-Krizmanic/dp/0140385061
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
(Rating: 5) Thank you alot, and I know its not a very good idea to go vegitarian while Im still a teenager but its something Ive wanted to do for a while because well how would you feel if you got put into a slaughtering machine and prepared for someone to eat? You know what Im saying> But thanks!