[1smemae94]

I told my mom that i wasn't eating meat anymore and she laughed at me and told me i would have to sometime soon. Even after i explained to her that it's healthy and good for me she just kept laughing and listing things i can no longer eat. Grrrr. So now i get to tell my dad in four hours and am slightly freaking out even though i know i shouldn't be. How did you not lose your nerve while telling people?

 

[Bright Bird]

I'm sorry that she reacted like that. We all hope that our families will be supportive and when they aren't, it can really hurt. Just remember to keep your head. You have your reasons for going veg*n and you understand them. The best thing you can do is educate yourself about your choices and then stand firm.

Good luck talking to your dad. I really hope it goes well.

 

[penny79]

If you'd like, we can make a list of the things that you "can" (meaning "will") eat as a vegetarian.

Sweet potatoes
Yukon gold potatoes
Fingerlings
Butternut Squash
Zucchini
Yellow Squash
Pumpkin
Spaghetti Squash
Jicama
Ginger
Garlic
Onions
Avocado
Tomatoes
Spinach
Celery
Carrots
Bok Choy
Kale
Chard
Collards
Romaine
Botton lettuce
Cabbages
Apples
Peaches
Pears
Dates
Grapes
Berries of all kinds
Oranges
Grapefruits
Lemons and Limes!
Eggplant
Cilantro
Parsley
Broccoli
Mustard greens
Arugula
Cucumber
Corn
Peas

....anyone care to add?

 

[angie54321]

I am lucky because I had family support - but many people don't. Your mother, in common with most omnivores, believes that you have to eat meat in order to survive and be healthy. This is because our society has told her that, and that position is constantly being reinforced by advertisements, TV cooking shows, recipes, supermarkets, and by a government who is afraid to tell the truth lest they lose the support (and money) of the large and powerful meat and dairy industries. So please don't blame your parents for their lack of knowledge about nutrition. Don't get upset with them. If you can, laugh along too, and tell them that you will show them that it is possible. Do you have any books about vegetarian nutrition or health or vegetarian recipes that you could show them? if not, you can show them websites like www.veganhealth.org, or the site of the vegetarian society in your country. You can also tell your parents that there are a lot of meat replacements available, so the truth is that you will not be missing out on much.

It may take a time for them to accept it - after all, you are making a radical dietary change, and by doing so, you are making them question what they do. This makes people feel uncomfortable, and often they have knee-jerk reactions to that, like laughing at you, or shouting at you, or telling you that you are wrong, or trying to make you see how much you will missing. That's normal, just accept it, and they will change: once they see you adapting, and see that you are healthy and happy.

But...make sure you stay healthy - research the nutritional side (you can always ask questions on these boards if you need to know something) and make sure you get enough of the correct nutrients.

We're here for you....good luck with telling your dad - let us know how it goes.

 

[angie54321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by penny79

If you'd like, we can make a list of the things that you "can" (meaning "will") eat as a vegetarian.

Sweet potatoes
Yukon gold potatoes
Fingerlings
Butternut Squash
Zucchini
Yellow Squash
Pumpkin
Spaghetti Squash
Jicama
Ginger
Garlic
Onions
Avocado
Tomatoes
Spinach
Celery
Carrots
Bok Choy
Kale
Chard
Collards
Romaine
Botton lettuce
Cabbages
Apples
Peaches
Pears
Dates
Grapes
Berries of all kinds
Oranges
Grapefruits
Lemons and Limes!
Eggplant
Cilantro
Parsley
Broccoli
Mustard greens
Arugula
Cucumber
Corn
Peas

....anyone care to add?

tofu, soya mince, quorn (vegetarian), seitan, tempeh, nuts and seeds...lots of difference breads, rice, pasta, quinoa, couscous, bulgar wheat....

Elaine V gave a list of about 30 different types of beans in another thread, that could be added too.

 

[1smemae94]

Quote:

Originally Posted by angie54321

tofu, soya mince, quorn (vegetarian), seitan, tempeh, nuts and seeds...lots of difference breads, rice, pasta, quinoa, couscous, bulgar wheat....

Elaine V gave a list of about 30 different types of beans in another thread, that could be added too.

That's a great list. Add mushrooms, and i think it's complete. And you're right about the reaction, it's been pushed into their brains for so long. I wrote out a list of where i can get nutrients from and all the health benifits to start listing off. Thanks you guys!

 

[peacefulveglady]

Just think it this way, I thought that you would be helping them to have less meat in the house, so they can budget their food bill. I don't see why parents and families has to be so defenseless about someone want to not eat meat, its not like your causing them troubles or problems while limiting what you would like to eat.

 

[Phoenix Days]

Honestly, no offense or anything, but I think your parents are being ridiculous. You can survive fine on a veggie diet, there's lots of healthy alternatives to meat out there.
You should make them a veggie lasagna and not tell them there's no real meat in it until after they're done.
That's what my mom did for me to my carnivorous Dad and Sister. They both loved it.
They have to accept your diet sooner or later.

 

[Spoonerism]

I always think it's strange when I hear about other people's parents laughing at or ridiculing them. My parents don't act like that. It just seems really immature.

Anyway as others have pointed out, there's still plenty on the menu. Just out of curiousity, when she said "You'll have to sometime" what did she mean? Do your parents pay for the food and you don't think they're going to support your decision to go veg, or does she mean that you'll "give in" to meat eventually? Sorry you don't have much support so far. Stay strong. You'll have plenty of support here.

 

[1smemae94]

Hey everyone, i told both of them. They didn't make too big of a deal out of it, but my dad just said " did you hear that sam? Hitler was a vegetarian!" i think he just compared me to Hitler. Sigh.

Spoonerism: She means that i'm not allowed to make a separate meal every night, and that eventually i'll see all the "yummy" food that their eating and i'll stop my "foolishness". Whatever, they'll get over it eventually.

 

[Werewolf Girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1smemae94

Hey everyone, i told both of them. They didn't make too big of a deal out of it, but my dad just said " did you hear that sam? Hitler was a vegetarian!" i think he just compared me to Hitler. Sigh.

Spoonerism: She means that i'm not allowed to make a separate meal every night, and that eventually i'll see all the "yummy" food that their eating and i'll stop my "foolishness". Whatever, they'll get over it eventually.

That sucks

In the end it sounds like you just have to wait them out and be a little bit stubborn. If you keep not eating meat and being healthy you will prove the wrong just by living, and that's its own revenge

 

[penny79]

Hitler wasn't a vegetarian. Not that there's any correlation between vegetarian and being a murderer, anyway, even if a murderer happened to be veg.

 

[Purp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1smemae94

Hey everyone, i told both of them. They didn't make too big of a deal out of it, but my dad just said " did you hear that sam? Hitler was a vegetarian!" i think he just compared me to Hitler. Sigh.

Spoonerism: She means that i'm not allowed to make a separate meal every night, and that eventually i'll see all the "yummy" food that their eating and i'll stop my "foolishness". Whatever, they'll get over it eventually.

It sounds to me like you're still in high school or Jr high/middle school. Why not make dinner one night a week, and shoo everyone out of the kitchen. Make veggie lasange, or enchiladas, or red beans and rice, or soup, or stew. Just don't tell them there isn't meat in it until afterwards. I'm not sure how big your family is (my family meals range from 3 people to 14, depending on whom is doing what over the weekend, and what holiday/birthday it it). Or what the weather where you are is like, which is why I gave several examples of what to do. Good luck.

 

[1smemae94]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purp

It sounds to me like you're still in high school or Jr high/middle school. Why not make dinner one night a week, and shoo everyone out of the kitchen. Make veggie lasange, or enchiladas, or red beans and rice, or soup, or stew. Just don't tell them there isn't meat in it until afterwards. I'm not sure how big your family is (my family meals range from 3 people to 14, depending on whom is doing what over the weekend, and what holiday/birthday it it). Or what the weather where you are is like, which is why I gave several examples of what to do. Good luck.

Yeah i'm a senior this year, it's only for 4 people sometimes 5 but my whole family is terribly picky.

 

[LiveLifeHumane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1smemae94

Hey everyone, i told both of them. They didn't make too big of a deal out of it, but my dad just said " did you hear that sam? Hitler was a vegetarian!" i think he just compared me to Hitler. Sigh.

Spoonerism: She means that i'm not allowed to make a separate meal every night, and that eventually i'll see all the "yummy" food that their eating and i'll stop my "foolishness". Whatever, they'll get over it eventually.

Sorry to hear about their negative responses, but you should be generally glad that they excepted the diet.

It's natural for people to react and protest their beliefs, so it makes sense that they would respond that way. They were probably raised as meat eaters, their parents were, and their parents were. Just give it time and they'll eventually accept the diet.

Try getting some good vegetarian cookbooks and showing them some tasty vegetarian food you can make.

 

[delicioso]

I read that Hitler's favorite food was sausage, so he was definitely not a vegetarian, although he did eat a somewhat odd diet, as he suffered from chronic stomach pain. Hitler had lots of bloating and gas.

 

[Freckles]

I am more than twice your age and got a similar reaction from my parents and other family members....you are so not alone

My mother STILL tells me she has no idea what to make me to eat when I am over there for a meal..and it is a big hoopla over leaving my veggies plain and not doused in butter at holidays..cause letting people who want butter add their own I guess is more difficult in her bizarre world lol
I have made many vegan / vegetarian foods for when they are here and for holidays and they all poke fun..then EAT ALL MY FOOD! Just stick to your beliefs and do whats right for you

 

[Purp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by delicioso

I read that Hitler's favorite food was sausage, so he was definitely not a vegetarian, although he did eat a somewhat odd diet, as he suffered from chronic stomach pain. Hitler had lots of bloating and gas.

You just answered all my nagging questions about Hitler that I never needed answered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freckles

I am more than twice your age and got a similar reaction from my parents and other family members....you are so not alone

My mother STILL tells me she has no idea what to make me to eat when I am over there for a meal..and it is a big hoopla over leaving my veggies plain and not doused in butter at holidays..cause letting people who want butter add their own I guess is more difficult in her bizarre world lol
I have made many vegan / vegetarian foods for when they are here and for holidays and they all poke fun..then EAT ALL MY FOOD! Just stick to your beliefs and do whats right for you

Don't you just love it when someone would never eat "weird vegan food" then go ahead and do just that. I always just s****** to myself when that happens.

 

[angie54321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purp

Don't you just love it when someone would never eat "weird vegan food" then go ahead and do just that. I always just s****** to myself when that happens.

If I am attending a party and taking some weird vegan food with me, I always take about 4 times the amount that I would personally eat, because all of the people who have previously said 'urgh, vegan food, I couldn't do without my meat' eat all my vegan food and then rave about it.

I hate going to buffets where there is a small amount of veggie food, and the meat eaters fill their plates with it because it looks more interesting that sausage rolls and chicken wings. Leaving me with little to eat

I've learned to get in first

 

[Clueless Git]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1smemae94

That's a great list. Add mushrooms, and i think it's complete ..

Aye, and about 1950 other things you can eat and use from the list given here; http://www.pfaf.org/user/default.aspx

Good luck 1smemae and contrary to the old army saying if you're NOT going to be stupid you'd better be tough!