|
Vegan/Vegatarian,but parents don't want me to be
Hi,I'm 13/f,and I'm a vegan/vegetarian.I've been one for some years now.But there's only one problem.My parents hate it.My mom said my doctor said that's not healthy for me,cause I need the protein,but she doesn't wanna hear the other ways I can get protein,while still remaining vegan.My dad just flat out says no,without hearing me out.I'm also a Peta supporter.How do I tell them,and get them to hear me out,and agree with me?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Nutrition?
I actually happen to be a vegetarian myself, and a supporter of PETA. My dad is the only other vegetarian in the house, so I get support from him.
You must explain to your parents that you have different beliefs, and as your parents, they eventually will have to learn to except that. There is nothing wrong in being a vegetarian, infact in some ways it is better for you. And yes, there are other ways to receive protein. If you know some food that can give you that needed protein, ask your mom to buy it on her next grocery trip. Make sure she knows you will still be healthy.
As far as your father goes, it will take more time for him to accept your belief. He is going to have to learn to deal with it. Now maybe he won't listen to you, but try to get your mom to talk to him. Just don't lose your temper.
Good luck- fellow vegetarian/PETA supporter
]
As someone who is old enough to be your grandfather I may be able to put this in a different perspective for you. As a salesman all my life I have found that the objection one tells you and the true objection are generally different.
Your mom is either miss quoting your doctor or you need to find a new doctor. Being a Vegan/vegetarian can be a very healthy life style provided you make sure to have the proper balance of what your body needs. Protein of course is very important to you for proper diet but is available in forms other than meat.
There is also some other information missing here that could be important to what you are asking. I'm going to assume like millions of other families mom works outside the home. She and dad are meat eaters and that is the meal she prepares for them. Are you asking her to prepare a separate meal for you? If so that is a lot to ask of mom. Being vegan also means buying separate groceries strictly for you. Can mom and dad afford this?
While I applaud you life style I also believe it would be terrible wrong of you to put more work on mom in preparing separate meals for you. If this is the case and you currently have activities that are not allowing time for you to prepare your own meals? Then you need to adjust your activities to allow time to prepare your own meals.
Now the cost of providing the things you need to be a Vegan/vegetarian is an entirely different matter. Please don't assume mom and dad can afford to purchase that which you need to exist in your chosen life style. Your parents may not want to tell you they can't afford to support your meal requests as they may feel this is something you need not know. So you are going to have to ask them if this is one of their problems as well as asking mom is she objects to preparing separate meals.
Your too young to earn the money to purchase your own food or contribute to the cost of it. So if this is one of the problems you are going to have to compromise. There is a difference between being a Vegan and a Vegetarian. Vegetarians generally do not eat beef, but will eat chicken and fish. Vegans eat neither. Somewhere between being a Vegan and Vegetarian is a place you can find happiness for now and not put and extra burden on you parents. If that is the true objection mom and dad has.
If you get the chance and do talk to your parents about what I have suggested. Let me know how close I came to their true objections.
]
I agree with the chaos fellow, but must add:
they are adamant about this because animal protein is extremely efficient. sure, tofu kicks ass, but if you pull back and look at it, your chosen diet is going to require that you eat significantly more plant protein by weight than you would animal protein to attain the same effects. here's a reccomendation: if you can't get them to agree with your vegan transition, try something a little less extreme, one perhaps that you can share with them, like pescatarian, or ovo-lacto. do you have any idea how hard it is to shop for a family when one member eats an entirely different diet? convince them to go on a fish-only diet with you. fish is nutritious, inexpensive, and closer to your goal. then, as soon as everybody settles into that, start introducing whey protein into your diet, slowly replacing fish. if you do so gradually, then they'll probably accept it. then, once you're out of the house, do whatever you please. but be advised, all of the herbivorous folk I have met in my ventures have been weak and sickly. Hope everything works out for you
-Gunner
]
Explain to them why its important to you. If they don't like it, stick to your guns anyway.
Its normal to go through phases like this at your age, since you're discovering everything you care about. If you really believe in being a vegetarian/vegan, then you will continue to hold your beliefs in the future.
Your parents have to deal with it if they love you, since its a part of who you are. Don't let them control that part of you. They don't have the right, even if they think they do, or try to tell you they do.
They don't like it? Tough. They have to deal with it. Over time they will have to accept it and wont mind so much.
Good luck.
xChaos
]
Have you ever just tried talking to them about like "look heres the reasons why.." just say it calmly don't be yelling or anything.
I have been a vegetarian since about your age. I know what its like. Just stick to what you want explain why, an they'll warm up. They probably just think its a phase. My parents thought this too. My mom even made all these foods I reAlly liked that had meat in them!
However, I don't think you should go vegan. Just yet, anyway. Wait till you can buy your own foods. Being vegan is incredibly difficult and takes a lot to know all of the right foods and make sure you really are getting good nutrition.
Make sure you are going vegetarian for the right reasons. Loving animals is a good one, but parents don't necessarily... Respect that one..? I dont know how to word that right, but hopefully you get what you mean.
I'm a vegetarian for my health & the environment. Maye those are something you could look into and see if you agree with them..?
It reAly just takes sometime getting used to, honestly.
Morning star and yves make some really tasty fake meats & they have lots of protein in them. Really great when you are just starting out.
Hope this helps! Shoot me an email if you need any more advice. I've been a vegetarian for 7 years!
Merry Christmas!
]
More Questions: |