How to break it to the folks...?

Question

I've decided I'd like to become a vegetarian. I've done a lot of research, and I really think it's the right thing to do for various health and ethical reasons. From your personal experience, what's the best way to tell your meat-loving parents that you would like to be lacto-ovo-vegetarian? Where can I find information on the nutrients I need, recipes for the whole family to enjoy (and affordable), and all the positive things it offers? Also, if you want to, tell me how you broke the news to the folks.

PS: I don't mean to make sound like a bad thing with all the "breaking the news" talk. I'm just reallllly nervous...

Answer 1

Tell them you're going for the eco-terrorist lifestyle and plan on harassing people at KFC's and such.  Going goth is a lot less of an idiot fad.  

Answer 2

I was nervous too.

The way I did it was, my familys Catholic, and I told them I was going vegetarian for Lent. At the end of the 40 days I told them that I liked being vegetarian and didnt want to go back to eating meat.

More than 2 years later, and I dont even live with them anymore, they STILL, have a hard time accepting it.

Just stick with your decision, you sound like youve researched it thouroughly.

About the recipes, vegcooking.com, is a great website, and ALL the recipes are vegetarian/vegan.  

Answer 3

Make sure you have answers to questions they will most likely ask. Here is a website that has a vegetarian food pyramid and a lot of helpful information:

http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyram...

They will want to know why you are doing it, how you're going to be healthy and how you're going to be able to eat with the family. You might even offer to make dinner some night and make a big fancy vegetarian feast, full of all kinds of nutritious foods. That can get the conversation going. If you can show them that you can do this and still be healthy, it will probably go better. Good luck!

Answer 4

Just say mom, dad, I have great news to tell you! Sit them down and say I plan to take charge of my life! I plan to eat healthy and be healthy, with my new habits I plan to live long and be healthier and cut the risk of many diseases affecting are society today. I plan to be happier and look fresher. I plan to help the environment and make my carbon foot print on this earth smaller. I am going to be helping end world hunger as well as the mass slaughter of billions of animals. Mom, dad I have become vegetarian! If you have questions you can read The China Study, watch Earthlings, go to the websites tryveg.com and goveg.com, and search online. I feel this is the right thing to do for me and my body as well as the earth and animals. I hope you can respect and understand my descion, and maybe join me in this amazing life of veg*anism!

Answer 5

I can't imagine why your parents would have a problem with you becoming vegetarian.  The most I can imagine is that they would worry about you getting an adequate amount of nutrition.  And as a new vegetarian you should worry about that too.  It takes an effort to adapt to a new diet and understand the nutritional balances.  But point out to your parents that hundreds of millions of Indians have been vegetarians for thousands of years and are doing just fine physically and intellectually.  But you also need to learn how to derive your protein from beans, grains, etc.  Plus, in my opinion, to have vegetarian food that actually tastes great you need to learn more about cuisines that have been historically vegetarian like Indian, etc.

But don't be too nervous. It is a big change but maybe not as dramatic and difficult as you imagine.

Answer 6

I had years of conflict in this regard, especially since my uncle was a butcher. I guess all you can do is tell them you don't eat meat. Warning though: My pregnancies were awful due to Vitamin B deficiency. Make sure your vegetarianism isn't malnutritionism.

Answer 7

If you say you're doing it for health reasons, they'll think "That's good."

If you say you're doing it to take a stand for animal rights, they'll think "That's weird."

Something to think about.

Answer 8

That's such a great decision. I wish I had the will power to become a vegetarian. But I don't eat red meat, so at least that's something.

Try this website:

http://vegetarian.lifetips.com/cat/62069...

Answer 9

Just sit them down and have a long discussion. Your parents will support you don't worry about it. I have a friend and she's a vegetarian while her parents and sisters aren't. Being a vegetarian is something you should be proud of doing.

Some advice is making salsa with tortilla chips. =D

Answer 10

Start off by telling them that some guys/girls are different and like things that other people don't..... and that you are hopeful that they will accept your new life choice.

By the time you tell them you are a vegetarian it will come as a big relief.

Answer 11

Don't worry, I was nervous to tell my dad but he was completely supportive of me. Some tips: When you tell them, make it sound like you're telling them something awesome rather than something you think they won't like. For example, be like "Guess what I'm doing!" Like its something good so that they aren't in a negative mind set.

Answer 12

I disagree with anthony,   if you say it that way they will think your g*y.

but don't apologize for your vegetarianism.  and don't think you need to explain all the details.  they KNOW where meat comes from.  just tell then that you cannot/will not be eating that.  don't be rude.  and don't go into anything gross either.  things will be ok.