I want to be a vegetarian, but my parents aren't! How do I do this?

Question

I am a young teen, and I just saw that video on GoVeg.com called "Meet Your Meat", and I need to become vegetarian. My parents aren't vegetarians and look like their not going to change. We eat meat basically every night, sometimes that's the whole meal! I don't know how to be vegetarian in my household! Help!

Answer 1

At most grocery stores they have veggie burgers and veggie chili etc. See if your parents will buy that for you. When they eat their dinner you can eat all the sides and your own meat (veggie stuff)

it works for me.

Answer 2

I became veggie at about 12 and now my Mum's veggie but my Dad still eats meat.

I suggest you talk it over with them, show your parents the video and take into account their reaction, tell them how you feel and explain what you would like to do. They may not want you to go completely veggie at first but a way of overcoming this may be to do a week-long trial and to offer to cook or search for recipes during this period to see if you can find vegetarian food that you can all eat.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

Answer 3

Make sure you do your research. You could even have papers and things like that with statistics or a prepared speech ( recycle if you can! ). Make sure they understand that this is really important to you. Show them the videos, and make sure they know that you don't think THEY have to go vegetarian, but you want to because you believe it's the right thing for YOU to do.

Best of Luck, and make sure to do your homework.

Cheers and Peace

Answer 4

Eat meat! Don't go against what nature intended, humans are supposed to eat meat. Don't you want to grow up strong and healthy?

Answer 5

omg, i have the same problem. my parents are VERY controlling of me, and would freak out and ask a lot of stupid questions and argue. i am a vegitairian, but the only one who knows is my litle sister (who has probably forgotton since i said that i MIGHT become a vegitarian). hopefully you can tell your parents. then they or you could make vegi burgers,baked potatos, or whatever you want for dinner. you dont have to change what they eat. just one person can save 100 animals every year!!!! good luck. : )

Answer 6

You need to explain to your parents calmly why you want to become a vegetarian. Don't go all "I feel bad for the animals!" on them. Give them facts, nutrition options, etc etc. "I do not like the way animals are treated for our consumption. People do this, they live like that.... etc etc. If I become a vegetarian I can eat veggie replacement meat like veggie burgers and veggie nuggets. If I eat more veggies I will be in better health. For protien I will eat and drink this." Research it first. Yes, you may feel bad for the animals but think logically and plan out your nutrition. Lay it out for your parents. If they love you, they'll support you. Don't make them change. Respect their eating habits. Don't try to force your beliefs on them, it will only make you look bad. Offer to get a job and help pay for your veggie supplement diet. If you're too young, babysit and offer to help out neighboors. Make your case and be mature about the matter.

Good luck.

Edit: May I ask why I got a thumbs down? I gave a well put answer that makes lots of sense. Going vegetarian is almost like converting religion. It should be researched and talked about maturely. That's all I'm saying. I'm not putting anyone down, or telling anyone to not be vegetarian. You people and your thumbs down. *sigh...*

Answer 7

As Jen pointed out, do your research.  Ask your folks if you can help cook to help take the burden off the primary food preparer in your home.  You can throw fresh veggies in a steamer and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice or toss frozen veggies in the micro.  You can have veggies and rice, veggies and pasta, veggies with pasta sauce (just make sure it's vegetarian), analogues, etc.  

I hate to advocate excess consumption of analogues, but if you're not old enough to cook on your own, you may have to do so until your parents will give you a bit of kitchen space to cook your own meals.

Answer 8

first do a research on is it to be a vegetarian then try to tell them.

Answer 9

I suggest you first tell them, your going to do it with their help or not. It will be much healthier if they'd help.

I also suggest you do your homework and research. Surf the net and read books, order free starter packages from places like peta2.com or cok.net.

Also why not get a job? Then you could pitch in for your own vegetarian grociers instead or relying on your parents to buy you tofu and such.

Answer 10

Hi, I'm glad that you became a vegetarian. I wish more people will see that video. My family eat's meat all the time too so I had to learn to cook for myself when they eat meat. It's really easy to cook tofu but get the firm kind and grill it with a vegetable mix. You should look up tofu dishes there's different ways to cook it. I get mine from Trader Joe's and there's a whole bunch of pasta's and non meat products you can buy and it's very inexpensive. Or when I go to school or work, I love the veggie sandwhich at subway! or veggie burgers!

Answer 11

i just became a vegetarian. My mom doesnt care as long as I get my protien. However, my friend wants to and her dad is totally against it. He makes her eat meat every night at supper. You can try researching it. Tell them you will still eat eggs and dring milk for complete protien. Eat nuts and beans for other incomplete protiens. Try talking to your doctor and see if that helps any. Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians (such as myself) eat eggs and drink milk. This is also used by many doctors to treat a wide range of diseases. Show them you can be responsible about it.

Answer 12

One word. Compromise.