How can I become vegan?

Question

I'm a 11 year old vegetarian and I want to become vegan. I'm not sure if I can do it because I'm scared that my family (especially my mom) won't allow it! My mom might think that vegan products are too expensive to buy because she really doesn't buy anything to pricy even if we need it! She hardly let me becoming a vegetarian but now she's one too so we can have the same groceries. How can I convince her to let me become a vegan?

Answer 1

I'm sorry for the unhelpful responses. I think it's wonderful that you're interested in going vegan. Vegan diets are very healthy when they include a variety of fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, and grains.

If your mom is worried about the cost of vegan food, show her this list of cheap vegan meal ideas:

http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=07budge...

Also, show her that you're informed about vegan nutrition. Here's a site you can print out and share with her:

http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=07budge...

(It lists vegan foods that are high in protein, iron, and calcium.)

You can also tell your mom that the American Dietetic Association is one of the top nutrition experts in the country, and it supports vegan diets for all ages. It says "Well-planned vegan and other types of vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence."

http://eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs....

Good luck!

Answer 2

Your vegan diet shouldn't be based upon pre-packaged "convenience" foods. It should be based on whole foods - fruits, veggies, nuts, tofu, nut milk, lentils, beans, etc.

You can get some really good information from the "Vegetarian Food for Thought" podcast if you have an iPod (download it from iTunes its free)...if no iPod then go to http://www.compassionatecooks.com/

that is her website. She has lots of good info.

Try the book "Cooking the Whole Foods Way" and "Green for Life". The "Veganomicon" cookbook is great too.

I'm sorry you got so many crappy, unhelpful answers but do some research and you'll be prepared to discuss it with your mom. The peta.org website has some materials they will send you to help explain it to your parents.

Also, it is MUCH easier to go Vegetarian first, then start eliminating foods one by one till you're a vegan. Start with meat, then pork, chicken, turkey, etc. Then you will know when you're ready to get rid of milk, butter, eggs, whey, sour cream, cheese. Don't expect yourself to be perfect!

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 3

I'm not sure you can get enough of the fat that your body needs to grow and mature if you become vegan at such a tender age. Relax and find something else to think about

Answer 4

it's all in the mind. For instance, I am a vegitarian too.  But I always eat meat, but that doesn't matter cause when I bite down into a nice juicy burger,. I always close my eyes and pretend it's a carrot.  See, it really works.

Answer 5

if you can't pay for the more expensive products, don't eat them.

you can work in 4 years to afford them your self

Answer 6

allveggielinks.com

ecomall.com

vegconnect.com

veggieconnection.com

goveg.com

vegwebc.om

vegan books:

125 best vegan recipes / Maxine Effenson Chuck & Beth Gurney.



  The complete vegan cookbook : over 200 tantalizing recipes, plus plenty of kitchen wisdom for beginners and experienced cooks / Susann Geiskopf-Hadler and Mindy Toomay



  The joy of vegan baking : the compassionate cooks' traditional treats and sinful sweets / Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.



  The Mediterranean vegan kitchen : meat-free, egg-free, dairy-free dishes from the healthiest place under the sun / Donna Klein



  The new vegan : fresh, fabulous, and fun / Janet Hudson



  The new vegan cookbook : innovative vegetarian recipes free of dairy, eggs, and cholesterol / by Lorna Sass ; photographs by Jonelle Weaver.



  Skinny ***** in the kitch : kick-*** recipes for hungry girls who want to stop cooking c**p (and start looking hot!) / by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin



  Vegan express / written and illustrated by Nava Atlas



  

The vegan gourmet : full flavor & variety with over 120 delicious recipes / Susann Geiskopf-Hadler, Mindy Toomay



  Vegan planet : 400 irresistible recipes with fantastic flavors from home and around the world / Robin Robertson



  The vegan sourcebook / by Joanne Stepaniak ; special nutrition section by Virginia Messina



  Vegan world fusion cuisine : healing recipes and timeless wisdom from our hearts to yours / [Mark Reinfeld, Bo Rinaldi and the chefs of the Blossoming Lotus, with a special foreword by Jane Goodall].



  Veganomicon : the ultimate vegan cookbook / Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero.

Answer 7

Well, she has a point.  Vegan convenience foods are expensive.  When you cook vegan from scratch, though, it's very cheap.  Bulk grains and bulk legumes, paired with fresh produce can be a really economical way to eat.

BUT, this assumes that either you can cook or that your mom (or someone) is willing to cook vegan for you.  I know I didn't do much cooking at 11, but it's not too young to learn.  Maybe you can look up a few yummy-looking vegan recipes online and see if your mom will shop for the ingredients and make them with you.  If she sees that you're willing to put in the effort and that it doesn't have to be expensive, maybe she'll be more open to it.  Something like chili with a few types of beans and lots of veggies should be easy, tasty and inexpensive.

Answer 8

I don't know what products you really need..  why not eat fruit, vegetables, nuts, etc..  and if you want cooked food eat rice, beans.   my mother was the same growing up, so I planted my own garden and ate my own food.  Tell her to buy you some seeds and you'll plant your own.  That's what I did when I was a kid.  My parents didn't have any money either.  Vegetables are expensive, so it shows them you are serious about it, and they might be willing to help.  It might be best to try to get some help from a person who is expert on a raw vegan diet for children, and the only one I know of is at www.thegardendiet.com - they have all their children on a raw vegan diet and might be able to help.  

I don't think 11 year olds should be on this site, the age minimum is 13, so you probably shouldn't tell people you are 11. it isn't really a good idea for children that young to be using this site.  It's for your own safety.