[vtgorilla]

Veggie Noob here...<br><br><br><br>
When I go back to school near the end of August, I am switching entirely to a vegetarian diet: no meat, no eggs, no dairy (although I might have to ween myself from cheese gradually). This will not be a problem since once again I'll be buying my own groceries and cooking myself. The problem lies in what to do when I come home. I am terrified of the response my parents (particularly my mother) and my grandparents when I tell them of my decision.<br><br><br><br>
I know they will not like it. I know they will scoff, question, and disbelieve my choice. How do I handle this?<br><br><br><br>
Also, any recommendations on how to tell them?<br><br><br><br>
Thank you ahead of time. Thanks for other posts on the new veggie board too, they have been very helpful.

 

[Astarte]

You need to do your research. If they're opposed to it, they're likely to come up with things like "wou're not going to get enough protein," "what about all the vitamins and minerals?" "what about calcium?" and general statements about making yourself ill. Do this research right now so you can mindfully remove these foods from your diet. Vegetarian diets can be very healthy, but they're always best with a bit of extra planning to make sure you getting everything. The same could be said of any diet, really. Just make sure you're keeping your diet healthy... we don't want to give the omnis more fodder about "I knew a vegetarian who got so sick they had to start eating meat again."<br><br><br><br>
Possibly bring written material with you for them to take a look at. It'll be easier if you're prepared. They still might not like it, but if it's not going to hurt you they've got no business butting into your affairs.

 

[rabid_child]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>vtgorilla</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
This will not be a problem since once again I'll be buying my own groceries and cooking myself.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
I don't believe self canibalism is part of a vegetarian diet <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/laugh.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lol:"> Sorry.. couldn't resist.<br><br><br><br>
In all seriousness though... try and frame your conversation around yourself so that they don't get on the defensive as though you think you're better than them or disapprove of their choices (regardless of your feelings). Try preparing a few vegetarian meals for them, and definitely have your research done ahead of time so that you can counter any stupid questions. Also, keep in mind it really doesn't matter what they think, it's your decision to make, not theirs.

 

[Tuffenoughtoroc]

Don't be worried if they become upset with your decision. My parents freaked out when I came out to them about becoming vegetarian. Just give them some time and they'll ease into it.

 

[vtgorilla]

Thanks for the quick responses!<br><br><br><br>
I've researched enough to know how and what to eat, but I guess I will need concrete evidence. I don't know if they will take my word that a veg diet is sufficient and healthy. Any suggested sites that I could print out for them?<br><br><br><br>
I thought it would help ease their fears since I'll be living this way for probably a couple months before I go home and visit. I don't think I'm going to tell them until I've gotten at least a couple good veg-weeks under my belt...<br><br><br><br><br><br><i>"I don't believe self canibalism is part of a vegetarian diet Sorry.. couldn't resist."</i> -rabid_child<br><br><br><br>
lol, I almost got in trouble here at work when I read what I typed, thanks for brightening my long, boring afternoon. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/pibo.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="ibo:">

 

[rabid_child]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>vtgorilla</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><br><i>"I don't believe self canibalism is part of a vegetarian diet Sorry.. couldn't resist."</i> -rabid_child<br><br><br><br>
lol, I almost got in trouble here at work when I read what I typed, thanks for brightening my long, boring afternoon. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/pibo.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="ibo:"></div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
I'm glad you were entertained, and not offended, by that. Some people freak out about things like that...<br><br><br><br>
Try the ADA website -- American Dietetic Association - <a href="http://www.eatright.org" target="_blank">www.eatright.org</a>. Specifically <a href="http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/nutrition_8053_ENU_HTML.htm" target="_blank">http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg...3_ENU_HTML.htm</a> which states<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>ADA</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><br>
Position Statement: 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.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
If you are neither American, nor Canadian, however, I'd search your gov's diet page.

 

[Ikelim]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>vtgorilla</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Veggie Noob here...<br><br><br><br>
When I go back to school near the end of August, I am switching entirely to a vegetarian diet: no meat, no eggs, no dairy (although I might have to ween myself from cheese gradually). This will not be a problem since once again I'll be buying my own groceries and cooking myself. The problem lies in what to do when I come home. I am terrified of the response my parents (particularly my mother) and my grandparents when I tell them of my decision.<br><br><br><br>
I know they will not like it. I know they will scoff, question, and disbelieve my choice. How do I handle this?<br><br><br><br>
Also, any recommendations on how to tell them?<br><br><br><br>
Thank you ahead of time. Thanks for other posts on the new veggie board too, they have been very helpful.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Well, once I became vegetarian, back in late 2004, I just told my mother upfront, she took it as "one of those phases" and shrugged it off, she told my dad and he laughed.<br><br>
I did have to take a lot of joking around for ages, but it's past that stage now, they're more accepting about it now.

 

[christina09]

<a href="http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/index.htm</a><br><br><br><br>
This seems to be a good source of information about getting adequate nutrition on a veg*n diet.<br><br><br><br>
Good luck!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":up:">

 

[codemonkey]

I found a couple of good websites today:<br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/07/28/vegan.diet.reut/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/07/28...eut/index.html</a> This was posted on cnn.com just a few days ago. It was a study that showed that a vegan diet reverses diabetes symptoms.<br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.annecollins.com/vegetarian-diet-health-benefits.htm" target="_blank">http://www.annecollins.com/vegetaria...h-benefits.htm</a> This is from a site that focuses on weightloss but there's a lot of good information.<br><br><br><br><a href="http://riley.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=2&tax_subject=257&topic_id=1359" target="_blank">http://riley.nal.usda.gov/nal_displa...&topic_id=1359</a> This is some good information from the US Government (believe it or not.)

 

[Tesseract]

Another one is <a href="http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/101reas2003.htm" target="_blank">http://www.vivavegie.org/vv101/101reas2003.htm</a><br><br><br><br>
Stay calm and be firm.

 

[chiaraluna]

The responses of those we love are just something that we have all had to deal with. Some of your relatives may surprise you (some of mine certainly did), but others may not... Unfortunately, you may just have to suck it up and take the tirades.<br><br><br><br>
As others have said, it DEFINITELY helps to be prepared to combat all of the predictable arguments. There are some great sites listed here, but here is one of my personal favorites:<br><br><a href="http://www.vegsource.com/how_to_win.htm" target="_blank">How to Win an Argument with a Meat Eater</a><br><br><br><br>
Beyond being prepared to answer the questions/rants with hard facts, there isn't much you can do to ease your "coming out." Just view it as a rite of passage. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br><br><br>
Good luck in advance! Let us know how it goes. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[cftwo]

I went vegetarian after I left home, so that helped. It also helped that one of my sisters went vegan and I was considered not nearly so much of a freak. (She's back to eating meat now.)<br><br><br><br>
My family's primary concerns are (1) will I be healthy? Show them that you've done your research and are taking care of yourself. (2) Will they be able to feed me when I visit? I think they really want me to be comfortable in their homes. Give them some simple options (spaghetti with marinara, salad, and garlic bread or whatever) so they know they don't feel they have to go to a different grocery store and cook something they won't even be able to recognize. Offering to cook a simple vegetarian meal they might like when you're home is a good idea, too.

 

[Diana]

I really really hope you won't be offended by what I'm going to say. But how old are you? Because there comes a time in anyone's life when one should no longer be frightened or scared by one's parents' reactions. It is part of growing up and becoming an adult. As you say you are leaving home to go to school, I take it that you are not a teenager anymore.<br><br><br><br>
I would gift them with a couple of books on vegetarianism and also on the effects of eating animals on health. Then they can make up their own minds. I certainly would not try to argue with them. If they want to research, they surely have access to the internet and can do their own research? But a gift of a book or two would be cool. (Buy them The China Study for how evil animal products are for health).

 

[vtgorilla]



I really really hope you won't be offended by what I'm going to say. But how old are you? QUOTE]<br><br><br><br>
You're safe here...I think if I ask for advice, I have to be accepting of the comments recieved. I really don't mind at all.<br><br><br><br>
I am 21, heading into my junior year of college. I understand what you're saying here...I am not 'scared' of the response I get, I just don't want to upset the apple cart. I guess you could say that my parents aren't very open-minded. I just know I'm going to get the rapidfire question response and I am dreading its arrival.<br><br><br><br>
*gasp* just realized all my sentences started with I...whats happening to me???

 

[Loki]

If you do go home, don't let it be a surprise for them. Tell them over the phone beforehand. especially if they're cooking for you when you do go home.

 

[Tesseract]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Loki</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
If you do go home, don't let it be a surprise for them. Tell them over the phone beforehand. especially if they're cooking for you when you do go home.</div>
</div>
<br>
Good advice from Loki. I'd suggest even after forewarning them, show up at the door with groceries in hand, and plan to cook them at least a few yummy veggie meals.

 

[vtgorilla]

Thank you to everyone who posted here with advice. I will use this knowledge and encouragement and let you all know how it goes (probably not for about a month though).