Im 14 years old and need help with becoming a vegitarian?

Question

okay so i saw some peta videos on youtube and i litarly thought that was disguting and it made me seriouly not want to eat meat anymoree but im 14 and i live with a family of meat eaterz and i talked about becoming a veg before to them but they just sorta laugh.. so im wondering if being a veg is a good idea or not what are some good things that will come out of it? besides helping the animals.

Answer 1

Humans are omnivores.

Answer 2

wow you and I are in a very similar situation!!

I became a vegetarian when I was 13 and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I also live with a family of meat eaters.

It really isn't as hard as it may seem, when your parents cook meals, just eat the things that aren't meat, and have a meat substitute for yourself, such as tofu.

And if you don't like the taste of tofu (many people don't), there are plenty of alternatives to get your daily amount protein!!

Cottage cheese is packed with protein and delicious if you ask me, and you can also eat nuts, seeds, eggs (unless you're a vegan), bean, peas, and soy milk!!

However, if you are extra concerned about not getting all of your vitamins, you can take a vegetarian vitamin supplement, although in most cases its really not necessary.

There are tons of benefits to being a vegetarian besides just helping out the animals.

First of all, you cut out a lot of saturated and transfats and you can lower your cholesterol  as animal products are the major sources of dietary saturated fat.

And also, a typical vegetarian diet nearly matches the dietary recommendations for healthy eating, because it is low in saturated fat and high in fiber, complex carbohydrates, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

As long as you eat a variety of foods you will be getting all the nutrients you need.   =)

And studies have shown that vegetarians (following a well-balanced low-fat high-fiber vegetarian diet) often have lower incidence of coronary artery disease, obesity and many forms of cancer!!

My parents didn't take me seriously at first either, but its been 4 years and I think they are finally starting to get that I'm not joking about this.  ;)

Best of luck!

Answer 3

Go to http://www.veganoutreach.org and download the free pamphlets, "Why Vegan" and "Guide to Cruelty-Free Eating." Show your parents and tell them how seriously concerned you are (for your health as well as the animals' well-being). Ask if it's possible to make substitutions. I also recommend to keep researching. Studies show that living a vegetarian lifestyle, with most of your food sources being plant-based, is healthier for you and the environment. Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

being a vegetarian can be very healthy for you since you will be eating a lot of healthy food

but dont think that by being a vegetarian you are helping the animals, because you're not, not a single one, just as many animals are gonna be killed and eaten.

i dont understand the thumbs down, you dont save any animals by not eating meat so saying you're gonna be a vegetarian to save the animals is really a dumb thing to say

Answer 5

Which is Better?

Vegetarian diets typically consist of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If a vegetarian does not include vegetable proteins (soy, tofu, etc.) and does not carefully plan meals to ensure consumption of all essential nutrients, deficiencies may occur.

Vegetarian diets are high in: vitamin C, fiber and folate.

Vegetarian diets are low in: calcium, protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B-12

It is possible to obtain all essential nutrients by eating a completely plant-based diet, however the planning is critical to the health. Poorly planned diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies. As always, it is also important that we base our dietary decisions on scientific evidence rather than on myths and misconceptions.

What are the advantages and disadvantages to being a vegetarian (no animal products)?

Disadvantages:

Vegetarians (vegans) have difficulty consuming enough of the following nutrients:

Vitamin B-12

Found in animal products only, fortified cereals, soy products

Vitamin D

Found in milk, margarine, soy milk & cereals

Iron & zinc

Besides meats, poultry, chicken & fish, these nutrients are found in: whole grain foods, soy foods, beans, dried fruits, nuts and seeds. Consuming foods high in vitamin C with iron foods will help to increase the absorption of the iron.

Calcium

Studies have found that diets of vegetarian children are most likely deficient in calcium. Excellent sources of calcium include milk, yogurt and cheese. Plant products include: cereals, juices, beans, tofu, soy foods, dried figs and almonds.

Vegetarianism is not recommended for young children because it is extremely difficult for them to consume the nutrients they need in adequate amounts for optimal growth without consuming any animal products.

Advantages:

Vegetarian diets are typically higher in fiber, lower in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol.

Vegetarians typically have less risk of CHD, cancer, obesity, high cholesterol and hypertension.

Vegetarian lifestyles are usually healthier (less smoking, exercise, less alcohol, etc.).

HOPE THIS HELPS SWEETIE...

Answer 6

I'm 14 and I've been a vegetarian for two years.

First, my parents weren't thrilled (my whole family eats meat) but then I showed them the facts and I researched, and they became okay with it.

One of the things they worried about was what I would eat. I eat whatever vegetable or side that my mom cooks and then I replace the meat with the vegetarian form. If they have chicken, I have veggie chik'n. If they have a burger, I have a veggie burger.

My brother, especially hates that I'm a vegetarian. But I just ignore his rude comments. We are free to live whatever way we want and I chose a different lifestyle for myself than he did.

But vegetarianism is the answer to almost all of our problems. It's better for the environment, health and the rest of the world. Vegetarianism reduces your risk of getting cancer because a vegetarian immune system is stronger and is better equipt to prevent the growth of tumor cells. Also, meat contains way too much protein. The extra protein that our body doesn't use turns to fat. This causes heart disease. The average meat eater has a 50% chance of dying from heart disease. The average vegetarian only has a risk of 15%. A vegetarian diet also saves natural resources and prevents global warming.

I can email you my paper that I wrote for school on it, which would better explain everything. Email me at [e-mail] if you'd like to see it!

Good luck! You are making an awesome decision for trying vegetarianism!

Answer 7

If you go on www.goveg.org, they list like a million reasons. :-) One really good reason is that a lot of forest and trees are being cut down for meat to be made. If you go there, they'll give you all of the details. :-)

Answer 8

You are helping the Earth and using less resource and leaving more for the future generations.

You will be healthier, as you are not eating dead animals with some sort of virus or diseases which we won't know at the point of killing.  The toxic generated in the animals  during the killing process will not be consumed and be in your body to make you sick.

You can always start to eat less meat ... You might want to share what you learn about factory farming, about the environment factors with your family and friends, let them be aware of the website you visited on this, leave some books on this issues around for them to pick up to read, or print out some of the notes and leave them around etc

Good luck : )

Answer 9

i too wants to be a vegetarian...

i've seen such thing too like you've seen...

my father dont eat meat but my mother and siblings love meat...

sometimes, i just want to puke when i saw how they make food from animals...

so, what i did until now is to separate food that they ate to mine, not all, like when they eat meat i cook for my own...

just like that...

Answer 10

hey. my name is ashleigh and im 17. ever since i was little toddler i would never eat steak or meat off the bone but i never went fully vegetarian until i was a but younger than you.

my WHOLE family are MASSIVE meat eaters.

my family are always having barbeques and eating steak and chicken and pork ( pork is the worst!) half my extended family still offer me meat.

people say being a vegetarian is healthier and stuff and it sounds like its probably (although im not very healthy but hey im a teen). but let me just say being a vegetarian in so important to me. im so  proud of it. some people dont understand ( my best friend orders steaks when we go out for lunch) but i dont care.

i love being a vegetarian. i love being different and i love knowing i dont eat dead animals flesh.

dont worry about your family they will soon get used to it. my family did. i just prepare my own meals now that im a bit older. when i was a bit younger and my mum was cooking food that meat would go in like pasta or a stir fry she would cook up the pasta/noodles/veggies and meat in a separate pan and serve up mine with no meat then mix the meat in for the rest of the families dinner. it was absolutely no hassel and works for most dishes.

if my family has a bbq i buy tofu/soy/veg sausages and cook them on a clean! hot plate before the meat goes on and eat just the same as everyone else.

there are always alternatives and if you discuss it with your family im sure they will understand.

goodluck and if you want any more suggestions or advice feel free to contact me.

xoxox

Answer 11

look at it this way.

Life is about being happy.

If being a vegetarian makes you happy then do it.

I love meat and i know what those animals go thru.

Does that make me a bad person?

maybe

But im happy.

Thats what matters.

I would not say humans arent made to just eat vegetables because we got to were we are in the food chain eating meat.

What i would say is to not waste .

Like you said , those animals suffered and the least you can do is eat every thing .(sound weird but you get my point)

But if you became a vegeterian

please dont be one of those douchebags vegeterians that tell people that eat meat how "wrong" they are. Just live youre life and let other live theirs.

Answer 12

www.SeeVeggiesDifferently.com

www.vegetariantimes.com

www.stumbleupon.com/tag/vegetarian

www.veg.org/veg

www.goveg.com

www.navs-online.org

www.care2.com/channels/ecoinfo/vegetar...

www.vegcooking.com

www.vegweb.com