Parents slipping meat into your food?

[Chachi]

I have had this major issue lately where my parents seem to be slipping meat into my food and not telling me. A few days ago, I actually did eat a piece, didn't notice because it was fairly small, and they just told me yesterday. Obviously, I'd prefer to prevent this, but every time I try to explain that I'm rather serious about my decision, they just either stop listening or tell me it's not healthy and threaten to send me to a psychiatrist. And that is all I'm doing, just trying to eat healthier and feel morally right. It's been a long enough time by now that they might get it into their head that it's not a phase and that I'm serious about it, but that isn't so. Has anyone else had this issue and found a way to stop it?

[Guitar_tech92]

Whilst i haven't had this issue, the only thing i could suggest, is not to partake in family dinners, and to make your own food.

[dormouse]

Do a little research on nutrition so you can convince them that you will be healthy?

Or just let them send you to a doctor. I would think most doctors would be on your side. Especially psychiatrists, considering vegetarianism is hardly a psychological disorder.

[animallover7249]

Cook your own food. If you're the only one doing your cooking, you know exactly whats in it.

[vegansrock]

I agree, make your own food. Tell them if you can't trust them, you won't eat the food they cook. But since they're doing this because they're concerned about your health, show them some sites that explain why being veggie is healthy. Here's some good ones:

http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/vegetarian.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetarian-diet/HQ01596
http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/updates/plant_diets_validated.php

When I first became vegetarian, my parents never told me that my dad's pasta sauce had meat in it, and I never noticed. So all those years, I was eating meat. They never told me until I became vegan :rolleyes:

[Mrrple]

Cook your own food.

[Orfeo]

That's terrible! I guess your only option is to cook your own food when possible and try to convince them that vegetarianism isn't a disease. I've never had this problem actually, my parents often will make the whole family eat vegetarian if I'm having dinner. I guess I've never realized how lucky I am.

[ripvanfish]

Go to the the psychiatrist. Once you tell him/her what's going on he'll call your parents in to tell them how crazy they're being.

[zombina]

Go to the the psychiatrist. Once you tell him/her what's going on he'll call your parents in to tell them how crazy they're being.

No, they won't. They always side with the parents, unless there's physical or sexual abuse going on. When it comes to minors, the psychiatrist's primary job is to make the teen "easier" for parents to "deal with." Remember, minors are property, not people.

[FreestylePup]

Threaten to send me to a psychiatrist.

I would let them send me to one...Just because if you where explain your situation to one they might understand...
No, my parents have not done that. They shoved meat in my face, or my bro and dad have, they have made me serve meat to people at parties. But they never actually try to make me eat it.

[WisdoM]

Wow, I would hate my parents forever if they did that, and I'm not joking...

[zombina]

Wow, I would hate my parents forever if they did that, and I'm not joking...

Me too. I'd leave in a second.
It wouldn't be about the meat, that would be secondary to the huge lack of respect, and the obvious lack of mental stability in the household.

[beepbeeplove]

If they're only putting tiny bits into your food because they think that being a vegetarian is unhealthy, maybe ask them if they think one tiny piece every now and then will make any difference to your health. It won't, so they may as well not bother :)

[Dogma]

I have had this major issue lately where my parents seem to be slipping meat into my food and not telling me. A few days ago, I actually did eat a piece, didn't notice because it was fairly small, and they just told me yesterday. Obviously, I'd prefer to prevent this, but every time I try to explain that I'm rather serious about my decision, they just either stop listening or tell me it's not healthy and threaten to send me to a psychiatrist. And that is all I'm doing, just trying to eat healthier and feel morally right. It's been a long enough time by now that they might get it into their head that it's not a phase and that I'm serious about it, but that isn't so. Has anyone else had this issue and found a way to stop it?

Your parents are broken dude. Best throw them out and get new ones.

Seriously, they sound tweaked. I would confront them on it and lecture them because clearly you're past the stage where they should be lecturing you.

[Dogma]

No, they won't. They always side with the parents, unless there's physical or sexual abuse going on. When it comes to minors, the psychiatrist's primary job is to make the teen "easier" for parents to "deal with." Remember, minors are property, not people.
I wouldn't say always, but that's spot on. Minors are property...ha! It's funny because it's sad and true.

[i like to buzz]

Argh that's horrible! My parents once made a soup with beef stock and my sister had to tell me because they didn't think it counted, but they never put pieces of meat in anything. Seriously confront them about it and if they don't improve, just make your own.

Good luck :-/

[Krutch Master]

Isn't there a way you could stop eating your parents food altogether? That would sound like the most logical thing to do. I feel bad for you, really, I do.

[xmilknhoney]

OMG! yes!!! i faced this same problem! i'd pick out the small pieces of meat and my parents would just hound me again and again about how it will not kill me. but i think it was important how i showed them that i was not going to change my mind and that it's a matter of ethics. also i showed them that i would supplement my diet with protein from non-meat stuff and am making sure i stay healthy and don't die of meatdefiency. now they really respect my choice even though they don't agree with it. :D