[Banshee Beat!]

Hey guys, I'm doing an article on teen vegetarianism for my local paper and would love if you could answer some questions for me!

Why did you become vegetarian?

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

Who/What influenced your decision?

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

Answer any that you want! I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[evilvegan]

Why did you become vegetarian? I don't really know. Just kinda...happened, but now I am totally grossed out by dead animals, and am way healthier.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian? Yah, right. No way.

Who/What influenced your decision? My weight, my pets, and the memory of seeing my pet duck beheaded and plucked for dinner.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian? Um...not really. People make fun of you, and you can't eat out much.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating? I'm in college, and to most there, Subway is a good veg choice. Blech.

 

[VEGirl3]

Why did you become vegetarian?

Mainly health. I feel at peace and really healthy. but knowing how much good im doing in the world (enviromental, animal, ect) plays a major role in why i chose veg.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

No way.

Who/What influenced your decision?

Watching Peta videos and learning the facts about animal expeimening, slaughterhouses ect.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

I feel like im not "one with the group" my friends arent veg and dont understand. Today my friend was eating chick-fil-a and said "omg, you dont know what your missing" but yes, indeed i do...i havent been veg all my life.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

Not at all!

 

[misq17]

Why did you become vegetarian? I loved animals and my best friend told me it was a cool thing to do. I've stuck with it because of the ethics, all the interesting people it's helped me meet, and the health benefits.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian? No

Who/What influenced your decision? My best friend was also vegetarian and I admired her. My brother dared me that I couldn't do it and I had to prove him wrong.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian? Sometimes it's hard to find things to eat when I'm out with friends but I make do and try to enjoy the company.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating? No, I bring my own lunches because the only vegan foods they have are chips and drinks.

 

[GhostUser]

Why did you become vegetarian?I love animals..I don't eat the dead bodies and flesh of things I love..

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?Pssh No.

Who/What influenced your decision?The way animals are treated

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?No

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?Somewhat.

 

[Engelsman]

Why did you become vegetarian?

I've always cared for animals and am against their cruelty. I've also been interested in doing my part for the environment. I suppose i became vegetarian because i didn't feel happy that animals, and people, should suffer because of an increasing number of humans wanting to eat meat.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

Nope, i'm the only one in my family who is vegetarian.

Who/What influenced your decision?

Meet your meat probably played the biggest part.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

The meat was easy to give up, not having gelatine was probably the hardest part

Also it's difficult going out with friends, who understand and accept my decision, but have to look for restaurants and places to eat accomodating my diet.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

I dont eat at my college.

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

My parents are fine with it and are happy to cook separate meals.

Hope this helps

-Engelsman

 

[MoonJumper]

It's great to write about this in the school paper!

Why did you become vegetarian?

I became vegan, actually, because I care too much about animals. I've never been comfortable eating meat, but I was brainwashed into thinking I would die without it. I read a few pamphlets on veg*ism and quit eating meat, eggs, and dairy cold turkey.

The health and environmental benefits are amazing perks that come with being vegan, but I could not pretend to be an animal rights advocate if I continued to suport such despicable practices.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

No...My dad is the biggest carnivore I've ever met.

Who/What influenced your decision?

My conscience. After reading PETA's Vegetarian Starter Kit I could not possibly live with myself if I ate another chicken nugget.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

Not really. A lot of people ask questions, most are genuinly curious, but some are rude. So if you're shy I guess it could be intimidating.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

Yes, they sell Gardenburgers and veggie or fruit salad at school.

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

They freaked out at first, but once they realized I was the healthiest member of the family they have been more than happy to buy my food...As long as I prepare it!

 

[fuzzysocks]

Why did you become vegetarian? Well,in the begining it was the health benefits that appealed to me, but as i looked into it, it became more about the animals

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

uh, no

Who/What influenced your decision?PETA mostly (hooray for shock tactics

). Also, when i proposed the idea to my family, the reactions i got definatly gave me a boost (some thing like "animals arent as important...")

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian? nope

Is your high school/middle school accommodating? psshh, ya, the oil they fry their chicken in is probably the closest thing to veggie they have.

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle? a bit of both

 

[Keelin]

Why did you become vegetarian?

I actually talked to a veggie friend about it, who challenged me to try go vegetarian for a month. Did it, never looked back.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

My dad toyed around with being "vegetarian" for a while when I was little- AKA, he'd occasionally pass on meat but take it when he wanted to. So no, I didn't, ha.

Who/What influenced your decision?

I realised that animals were being killed needlessly for me to eat, that I was doing myself harm, and that there are way better options out there!

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

Nah.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

There's a few things I can buy on campus (smoothies, vegan soups, pita with falafel) that would keep me more than happy if I ever wanted to buy lunch there (I don't, haha).

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

They're pretty accomodating. They don't really understand (despite my constant explanations) why someone would go vegan (especially in regards to honey, argh), but they're willing to humour me.

 

[auscheer]

Why did i become vege?

ever since i was little the thought of eating an animal, it dying for the process of food, when there are plenty of other foods available sickened me.

Parents/siblings - definatly not.

Who/what influenced my decision?

It is so extremly sad, but when i initially asked my parents to go veg when i was young and they said no, i forgot all about it until i read in an avril lavigne article that she was vegetarian, which reminded me all about it, and i have been ever since... haha, lame.

Drawbacks - i have alot of trouble with gelatine, because i find it in literally all of my fave foods.... literally, and i have had to cut them out. but it is defiantly worth it.

School accomidating - they have a little salad section, but all the vege rolls have cheese with rennet in it, and so do the garden salads, which get taken rather quickly by faster vegetarians than me anyway lol

Parents accomidating - it was a huge struggle to begin with because they believed i was too young to be making my own decision about it and that i would die lol. They accepted it in the end, but i do have to prepare my own meals. With regards to me trying to become vegan, i say trying because my mother said, and i'll quote 'you're taking this whole thing way too far, so don't expect me to be supportive in any way...' so yeah, i'd say she's bordering on UNsupportive...

 

[honeyfugle]

Why did you become vegetarian?

firstly i didn't like the taste anymore, and secondly as i thought myself as an animal lover, i thought it would be hypocritical to continue eating them!

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

nope.

Who/What influenced your decision?

quite a few things. as above PETA literature/videos are very powerful. also, realizing how bad rearing meat is for the environment and your health.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

nope! and if there is, i haven't come across any.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

my school is not particularly good towards vegans. but towards the L/O veggies it's okay...

for some reason we have a so-called "salad bar" that only has either egg pasta, or veggies smothered in salad cream or mayonaise! no fresh veggies anywhere.

and apart from the "salad" "selection", they pretty much only sell things with tuna in them!

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

actually my parents are great most of the time! i can ask my dad to get me a nut roast mix for dinner and he'll do it, no questions asked, even though i know what he really wants is for me to start eating meat again.

 

[isowish]

Why did you become vegetarian? I went pescatarian just to see if I could. I went lacto-ovo because I didn't want to support the suffering of animals. I went vegan because I realised I was still doing so.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian? My little sister went vegetarian a while after I did.

Who/What influenced your decision? My dad's pescatarian friends were my first contact with vegetarianism, so I guess that's what started it off. Having pets helped, definitely, because I couldn't help thinking about meat being animals. My food tech classes taught me I didn't need meat to be healthy. I couldn't have gone vegan without the encouragement of my vegan friend, and possibly without VB. Learning about Buddhism in school helped me to think about compassion. And I like to think some of it was my own doing. Bascially, a lot of things contributed.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian? I went to Iceland and that sucked for finding vegetarian food. I don't like to be a pain and ask people to prepare food for me, and I don't like the fact I can't just stop anywhere to eat.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating? We have a small cafeteria. I can always get chips, baked potato, beans, salad, that kind of stuff. It's alright.

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle? My dad was always supportive of me being lacto-ovo and he can make really good veggie food. He was much more worried/annoyed at me going vegan, but I transitioned very slowly and he had plenty of time to accept it. He still likes to remind me of things I can't eat, but he will sometimes make food for me and I trust him to check ingredients. He's pretty great.

 

[Fog-struck]

Why did you become vegetarian? I became a vegan because killing other animals is unnecessary for me to live a healthy life.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?No.

Who/What influenced your decision? I'm not sure. I've felt that consuming animal products is wrong for as long as I can remember.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian? Not that I can think of.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating? I'm homeschooled.

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle? They are fairly accommodating.

 

[sluagh]

Why did you become vegetarian?

My sister bet me that I couldn't go a year without eating meat. I did go a year, and read "Fast Food Nation" during that time period, and then I continued on with the not-eating-meat for three years, so far.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

Ha ha ha ha hah! My fiance is the closest thing I have to a vegetarian relative.

Who/What influenced your decision?

The book "Fast Food Nation" and a project on swine farming hazards. About a year ago, I was moved to become vegan after seeing pictures of rescued hens in Satya magazine.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

Being an ovo-lacto vegetarian wasn't terribly difficult, except for how Jello isn't a vegetable, but being a vegan in the South has made it nearly impossible to go out to eat.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

I graduated from high school recently, but they weren't... terribly accommodating. I went to a boarding school, so school-sponsored access to veg*n food was even more important since they provided all three meals a day. Sometimes they had plain pasta, but mostly my parents paid $3000 a year for a meal plan that fed me lettuce, tomatoes, and bagels.

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

My parents don't always understand the choices I make, but they have always been incredibly accommodating. Surprisingly, my father and middle sister, who eat *nothing* but meat/cheese/refined carbohydrates, stand up for my beliefs all the time when people criticize or mock me. I am lucky and grateful to have them.

 

[s0ad]

Why did you become vegetarian?

Because I realized that if I truly loved animals I wouldn't be eating them, which then led to me being a vegan because I didn't want to have anything to do with the harm of animals.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

No.

Who/What influenced your decision?

Animals. Doing research on the conditions of them. (;

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

The only problems I had with being a vegetarian, and now a vegan is people wanting to debate me when they find out I am one, and not being able to eat many things at "regular" restaurants. Also food at family events is often a problem.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

Not at all.

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

They buy me food. I have to make it. They also think I'm only doing it to lose weight which is annoying, and they are not very understanding about it either.

 

[PurpleCow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banshee Beat!

Why did you become vegetarian?

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

Who/What influenced your decision?

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

I became a vegetarian because the thought of eating an animals flesh just completely revolted me one day and since then I haven't eaten meat. I also care about animals and don't think its right to eat them, and I don't like the way they're treated at slaughter houses.

No I don't have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian.

The thought of raising then killing animals just to eat them influenced my decision.

Its sometimes a little difficult to eat at fast food resteraunts, and of course there's the "funny" vegetarian jokes and stupid questions that people ask me but other than that, no theres no drawbacks.

My highschool is NOT accomodating at ALL.

Yes, my parents do accomodate my choice.

 

[tomatotomato]

Why did you become vegetarian?

i started researching it for health reasons and soon i found out how horribly animals are treated etc... so it just made sense

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

my mom's a pescatarian (i influenced her to do so)

Who/What influenced your decision?

PETA! knowing all the information.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

no i love it

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

im talking to my house principal about it now... they are starting to get healthier options but mostly right now it's garden salads, fries, bagels, pretzels, pasta, fruit, some veggies... not reallly anything else

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

at first my dad had a bit of a problem with it but now they see how passionate about it i am and how well i eat they are supportive

 

[southern_vegan]

Why did you become vegetarian? Health for me, health for the animals, cruelty of animals, the enviornment, etc.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian? none at all(yet)

Who/What influenced your decision? My desire to start eating healthy started my vegetarianism. Then, as I learned more about the torture of animals and nastiness, I converted to veganism. People the influenced me were the Vive Le Vegan blog, Vegan Lunchbox, Sarchan Blog, and Eat Peace Please blog.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian? Well, people can be pretty mean/rude/cruel, but other than the jokes, it's all pretty great! : )

Is your high school/middle school accommodating? Im homeschooled.

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle? It's gotten better with my parents, but sometimes they can be kinda rude like telling people Im vegan, and saying it like im a weirdo.

 

[Shantih]

Why did you become vegetarian?

I became vegetarian because I saw animals as friends, so it was pretty wrong to eat them (I was 7), and then vegan when I found out more about the industries and exploitation.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian?

My older sister for ethical reasons, brother because he hates the taste/texture and mum because she thinks it's discusting and unhealthy.

Who/What influenced your decision?

Probably my older sister.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian?

Not really, I've been one so long I don't know much different. Sometimes I get annoyed at the stupid jokes, but they aren't the end of the world.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating?

Not at all.

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle?

They do quite a lot, they buy my soy milk/margarine and other vegan food without me having to nag

 

[muualla]

Why did you become vegetarian? I´ve been without red meat for two years and by the end of this year I´ll be going ovo-lacto vegetarian for health reasons.

Do you have a parent or sibling that is vegetarian? No, although recently my parents have started tasting my dinners and my mother´s been thinking about it.

Who/What influenced your decision? The semi-vegetarianism came from somewhere inside me, it just felt more natural for me to leave out red meat. I´ve recently been looking into a lot of different religions(hinduism, buddhism, kabbalistic judaism...) and Chinese philosophy and I´ve started working at a vegan café, where you see how easy it can be to not eat meat. I know LOADS of people who are vegans, so I s´pose that´s got something to do with it, but all my close friends are omnivores.

Are there any Drawbacks to being vegetarian? Not really, I don´t care what other people think about it and I don´t make a bit deal out of it, so not all people even realise it. I alwaysalwaysalways offer to make my own food when I´m over at someone´s house since it´s just a burden for them to start thinking of what I do and don´t eat. Anemia sucked, but if you balance your diet, it won´t be a problem.

Is your high school/middle school accommodating? Where I live, it´s in the law that all schools have to offer a vegetarian choice, so I have it good. I don´t eat at my high school, though(extreme pickyness).

Do your parents accommodate your choice or is it a struggle? At first they kept on saying how I´d only last a month, but when they realised that it didn´t dramatically change my life, they stopped noticing. I cook my own dinners, though.