I want to be vegetarian, but my mum won't let me?

Question

How can I get her to allow me to not eat meat? At first, she said it was a good idea, then she said she wouldn't cook 2 meals (though I explained to her I would cook my own meals - she didn't believe me) and my sister said she wouldn't wash 2 dishes (though that would affect me as I have to put away the dishes). I don't think I can eat meat. Whenever I eat pork, beef, chicken etc, I feel disguisted and imagine the animal's eyes closing after being killed - which you may find silly but it really puts me off.

What can I do to get her to agree with my chosen lifestyle? Or to prove to her I am serious?

Answer 1

listen to mom.  It's her kitchen, her house, her rules.

When you are older and on your own, you can try it.

Going veggie has it's drawbacks- like lack of b12.

Research it and see for yourself.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

You borrow some books form your school, or public library and study up, so she can see that your researching the diet. Maybe get your school nurse, or guidence counselor to help you convince your parents.

Answer 3

She may be hesitant in "letting" you be vegetarian because she's afraid you won't hold to your statement that you'll cook for yourself.  You should offer to cook dinner for everyone-- there are lots of vegetarian recipes that meat-eaters love.  (Think about it.  Not EVERY meal has meat.  Find some recipes without meat your whole family would like.)  Of course, if your family eats meat, they won't want EVERY meal meatless, so on other days, just cook for yourself.  She really can't force you to eat meat, if you cook for yourself and wash the dishes yourself.  Actually demonstrating to her that you are serious about not putting an extra burden on her with your vegetarianism may well change her mind.

If this doesn't work, and for some reason it's impossible for you to avoid meat at home (though, what can she do, force your mouth open and cram meat down your throat?), avoid meat when you're not at the house.  Don't get discouraged or think that if you can't be a "full vegetarian" you can't still do some good.  Think about it.  If you could reduce your meat intake by 50%, you're saving 50% more animals than you used to!  You don't have to see it black-and-white.  Just do as much good as you can do.

But if you show your mom that you're serious, and prove that you won't put an extra burden on her with your new eating habits, most likely she'll come around.

Answer 4

It's a difficult one.  I think it's one of those things where you have to prove yourself to your mum before she'll accept you're capable of doing it.

First, why not buy a vegetarian cook book and cook a meal yourself for the whole family.  I'm not a vegetarian but I rarely eat meat because vegetarian food is so tasty, so cheap and so filling.  Doing this will prove that you're capable of cooking for yourself, and maybe convince your mum to compromise on a few meals that you can all share together.  If she is serving meat, reasonably say that though you don't expect her to change her beliefs, you can't go along with it.  Then cook, eat and wash up something by yourself.  Your sister will soon come round then too - she'll find herself washing up and putting away the stuff from her meal which - fairs fair - you wont have to touch because you had nothing to do with it.

The most important thing is to explain how you feel calmly and maturely.  If you react badly, everything will be so much harder for you.  When your mum sees that you're capable of making this responsible life change, she'll accept it and support you.

Good luck!

Answer 5

you can just not put the food on your plate. And think about this what are you going to eat besides meat. Like don't do what i did and eat nothing but starch, I gained so much weight. At the end If I had just kept eating meat I would of been better off.

Answer 6

well just eat peanut butter and jelly when you don't have an option of no meat.

Answer 7

Amber J.- Anemia?  I just had a day's worth of iron in my fortified breakfast cereal.  



I didn't stop eating meat because animals are cute.  I stopped eating meat because of the miserable lives animals have to live and the barbaric methods they use to slaughter them.

Visit www.meat.org, smarty pants.

Answer 8

I think you should do what you said you were going to do without imposing on your sister or your mother. If you impose of either of them you give your power over your own decision into their hands. Take your power back and cook for yourself and clean up after yourself. Sweetly. Lovingly. Quietly. Do not make an issue of dishes or allow either of them to get under your skin. Be steadfast in your decision and they will begin to understand that you are serious and that you can and are doing this dietary shift in a mature, healthy, intelligent; dedicated way. You can invite them to share a meal you have prepared at some point. You can also ask your Mom for instruction in culinary basics if you don't understand a recipe.  

B12 is not an issue. There is an abundance of it in both Tempeh and in Nutritional Yeast. You can find delicious, easy to prepare vegetarian recipes at http://www.your-vegetarian-kitchen.com/h...

Good luck to you.

Answer 9

You could just stop eating the meat she feeds you. Maybe buy your own food for a week or so (starving yourself might be a bit dramatic!).

If she is concerned about the environment, let her know that a person who does not eat meat or dairy and drives a hummer contributes 3X less to the greenhouse effect and climate change than a meat eater who rides a bike.

When you do go vegetarian, make sure you get your iron levels tested every now and again. It might be a good idea to consult a nutritionist to make sure you know how to get all of the protein and vitamins etc that you need.

To the person who mentioned starving people... Someones decision to eat x or not to eat x does not effect those people in anyway, what kind of ignorant universe are you coming from? Deciding not to eat meat in an ethically and environmentally sound decision. It helps everyone on the planet. So don't be so ungrateful for your ability to chose an ethical lifestyle.

Answer 10

Your reason that is far fetch. Instead of looking at the dark side of being a vegetarian, do some research on the benefits of vegan and what supplements is necessary to offset the lack of protein. Will your mother have to pay for this stuff?  You didn't say whether you will buy your own food.

You're still dependent on your mother.  It's your mother who has to take care of you if you become ill because you're not eating enough food.  She doesn't have to agree with your "chosen" lifestyle.  If you don't want to eat meat then don't eat it.  Keep in mind that, if you get a headache or feel weak, it's because you're not eating enough food and you're lacking something in your diet.

Answer 11

Kate You might show her how you will get all the vitamins and nutrients you need from a vegetarian diet.  Ask her to please listen.  And don't be sassy, or rude.  You are trying to convince her your way is good for you.  Remember you need to eat foods that will provide all the daily vitamins and nutrients you need, without causing your mom to cook separately or special for you.  While you may be able to cook for yourself, cooking is one way she loves you as her child. Don't take that away from her. Instead show her how she can cook things that give you what you need as well.