[AdamLayish]

So I am a vegetarian right now and have been one for 11 years now. (I'm 17). I still live with my family who are all meat eaters, so my mom has to buy separate things for me as it is. I have told her I want to be vegan, and she doesn't support it. I do not have the money to buy my own food. Here is the other thing: There are hidden ingredients in everything, and I would have no idea what has meat and what doesn't

 

[Lazarus]

Well, we all have to learn some day. The hidden ingredients take a while to figure out, but thanks to the magic of google you shouldn't have much trouble. A lot of them are pretty obvious anyway, like beef fat or milk solids, and the packaging will often have an allergy warning telling you whether it contains dairy or eggs. You can get around all that by buying less processed food of course and sticking to fresh produce, it all depends how much work your willing to put in. I understand money can be an issue at your age. Try talking to your parents about it, after whether your mum does all the shopping or you just buy your own bits shouldn't really affect the overall cost in the end. And a lot of stuff like rice, pasta or herbs and spices is the same for omnis and vegans anyway.

So I say go for it, but be prepared that its probably going to mean a bit of extra work.

 

[piscesmom]

I agree with Lazarus.

I think you will find that a lot of things you already consume are often vegan. Once you start reading the labels (you will learn to watch for things like caesin and other strange-name things) you may be quite surprised at what is and what isn't vegan.

For instance, cambells tomato soup is vegan, a lot of breads, tortilla wraps and chips, pretzels, a lot of bagels, of course veggies and rice, a lot of noodles, vegan pizza is cheap and easy to make (check out the recipe in Vegan Planet). It can be more expensive, but only if you can't live without dairy substitutes (like Daiya "cheese", soymilk, vegan icecream). If you stay away from that stuff the cost is pretty much the same.

 

[Mrs. T]

Do you have a job? If not, can you get one? If so, I'd get a job and start buying my own specialty vegan products like soy milk, vegan margarine, and stuff to make my own bread and such. It's kinda hard to find vegan bread at a regular grocery store.

 

[yumy]

you'll learn the ingredients to avoid, just read labels, which you are probably pretty used to from being vegetarian for so long. there are lots of resources or links on this website for hidden ingredients if you look around.

I know it can be frustrating to live with a family that isn't very supportive of your decision. It seems so simple to me and you, but they don't understand/agree and you have to respect that. In a way, it's pretty unfair to expect them to change their diet for you, as it can be quite hard to find things without dairy/eggs nowadays. I'm not saying you can't go vegan, you can and should, but it has to be through your effort not theirs.

Start by going with them to the grocery store, and pick out more produce and things that you can eat. The more simple and less processed things you buy the easier it is to avoid animal products. Buy lots of veggies/fruit. you can buy a tub of quick oats and make a good breakfast out of that by adding applesauce/cinnamon, or other fruit. Try to plan a few meals that you can all eat, even something they could add meat to if theyd like. it's pretty easy to make an awesome vegan burrito - black beans, tomatoes, avocado, onions, peppers, corn, lettuce/spinach, olives, w/e u want. they can add meat if they want, sometimes my family doesn't even bother.

educate yourself about nutrition in general and about vegan nutrition, so you can stand up for yourself when someone tells you there's not enough protein or calcium or some junk like that

hope that helps. go for it, not trying to discourage you but it's definitely attainable if you put in some effort. you can message me any time if you have a question.

 

[veganvalue]

If you avoid too many substitutes, it is much cheaper. The price of dairy these days is ridiculous.

 

[Mojo]

If it was me I would tell my parents that I am approaching the age where I am about to move out of the house and I would like to start developing skills that will come in handy when I am on my own.... such as cooking and nutrition. I would learn as much as I could about healthy vegan eating and share what I learned with them. That will help to assure them I was not making decisions that were not well thought out.

And I would offer to start preparing the parts of the family meals that happen to be vegan. Like if everyone is eating steak and vegetables and rice, I'd offer to cook the vegetables or rice. First, it's a very practical life skill. Second, they will be very impressed with the amount of responsibility I was demonstrating, and that makes it much easier for them to support my desire to be vegan.

 

[AKTF]

Well, you should first try to get a part time job. Secondly, there is a thread on here with a link to being a "Savvy Vegan", and it details ways to be vegan cheaply. But take advantage of your situation: Let your parents be the one that buys the veggies and fruits, and if they like nuts, that too. Things such as vegan breads or pastas (though most are already vegan), along with non diary milks, etc. can be bought by you! Homous tastes wonderful with dipping veggies, may I add! The veggies can be bought by your parents, and the homous by you! Good luck!

 

[Mandyy]

I'm in the same place as you. My parents were very unsupportive about me becoming a vegetarian, however I've finally convinced my mom to help me with this instead of making it harder because either way I was finally becoming one (after 2 years of her stopping me). My dad and ALL of my relatives highly disagree with this decision and when I tried becoming vegetarian in 2010, they would push chicken nuggets, hamburgers, sandwiches, etc in my face until I finally gave up (literally put them in front of my face).
I would really like to become a vegan now but my mom says she'd never let me do that so I'm planning on becoming one as soon as I move out.