I want to be vegetarian, how should I tell my mom?

Question

My mom already complains about deciding what to make for dinner. Last year when my friend went vegetarian she said she couldn't imagine me ever doing it. I really don't like the way meat tastes and after doing a report on animal abuse I don't want to eat it. This summer I have been away a lot so my mom has not been cooking my food. I have only ate meat when I have been home. I'm going to be 16 really soon and I can cook myself.

Answer 1

Present her with the facts.  Also present her with a ton of vegetarian recipes.  Print out information and pics.  Staple them nicely together and have her read them.  You can even read them to her.

She may be shocked, but it's something she will have to deal with.

Offer to cook a lot of your own foods.  She has no other choice than to accept your choice.  If your will is strong you won't give in to her if she wants you to eat meat.

It's your decision and in 2 years you will legally be an adult.  At your age you can eat what you want to eat though.  No one can force you to eat meat...especially if it is for ethical reasons.

You can also offer to get a part time job and pay for some of your own food.  With age comes responsibility.  You are old enough to get a job.

Good luck and stick to your guns.  Don't let anyone force you to eat meat.

Answer 2

Just tell her and give her your reason why (the report you did). I told my mom i wanted to become a pescatarian (only eat fish) and she was ok  with it , but my mom never cooked a lot of meat and NEVER cooked beef and pork. Just tell her and if she gets upset tell her the good side is she wont have to cook for you anymore.  GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

SAME SITUATION FOR ME!!

I told my mom, and she thought I had a eating disorder, so I told her I'm not but if she fixes like fried chicken and corn and bread. I just eat the corn and bread

hmm, I couldn't go back to eatting meat anyway. Because if you go a while without it, you lose taste for it

i love being vegetarian, and I'm thinking of going vegan!

Answer 4

just tell her. thats what i did when i was 12, it worked for me. after all, its your body, and if you choose not to eat innocent little animals, well then, thats your choice.

Answer 5

say hey mom I'm a vegetarian!

then make her the most delicious meal she has ever tasted, and show her life ain't that bad without meat.  If your still into fish maybe make a fish dish, easing her into the change nicely.  good luck

Answer 6

Hey man. Right on! I am too. I just told my mom that i wanted to be a vegitarian. If she asks why just tell her your reasons. Tell her that youll get enough protien and that you will take care of yourself. Theres a bunch of great vegitarian food. And beans and peanut butter are great sources of protien.

Answer 7

Just do it. She should be understanding. Tell her it might not work out. Ya know just to get her off ur back. I want to be a veg too. I basicly am. be sure to tell her u will get ur protein and other vitamins elsewhere.

Answer 8

hey mom guess what? Im a vegetarian. that was easy

Answer 9

Do some research and explain to her why you want to. Tell her she can support you or do this the hard way.

Answer 10

First of all, tell her your reasons why.  Emphasize that it is your choice and your opinion, and that you don't judge her for eating meat, but that it's something you don't feel right about.  Let her know that you have thought about it a lot and are making an educated choice.  

My best suggestion is to do your research.  Lots of people who grew up eating meat think vegetarianism is unhealthy.    You can show her that you're being smart about vegetarianism by telling her what you need to eat and why.  Let her know what nutrients are harder to get as a vegetarian, and what you can eat to make sure you are healthy.  You can also remind her of things that are easier to get from a more vegetable-heavy diet, like many vitamins and fiber!

If she's worried about feeding you, offer to help her prepare meals and shop together.  Meals that are sort of "self-serve" are a great choice for a family with mixed diets.  We do personal pizzas with an assortment of toppings and burritos with both meat and veggie fillings.  Making food together will show your mom that you are committed to your choice and willing to help her out.

http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/teennutriti...

This might be a good page for you to read and show your mom.  Do a search for "vegetarian nutrition" and you'll find loads of other good sources as well.

Answer 11

Just sit her down and tell her. Offer to make dinner. you can buy turkey, tofurkey, gardenburgers, things like that for your self, or to put in everyones dinner. make a deal with her: you can be a vegiterian if you cook dinner when your home, so then you have a say of what goes in your food and your mom doesn't have to cook, its a win win situation. buy a vegiterian cookbook, those things help!