Should I consider becoming a vegetarian?

Question

I'm 13 years old and seriousley considering becoming a vegetarian. I don't like most red meat (with the exception of hamburger, i wouldn't eat this if i were to become a vegetarian though). I do like shrimp, and tuna. I allready don't eat a lot of meat and am thinking that I might just cut meat out all together. The only thing that I think I will really miss is tuna (its the only fish I like). Do you think this would be a worth while decision? (also I would becomw a lacto-vegetarian, because i like milk and cheese to much to give them up. No eggs though.)

Oh, and one more thing. How should I tell my family if do chose to become a vegetarian?

Thanx :-)

Answer 1

Seafood (fish) and free-range chicken are good sources of protein; the fish (esp. salmon, halibut) are great sources of omega-3.  These are things your body needs.

Should you limit your intake of saturated fat?  Absolutely.  

Here's the thing...eat the good stuff (better quality).  It's healthy, probably line caught, and guess what-it'll actually taste like tuna.  

Shrimp are scavengers and high in fat.  Poultry...eat free range chicken; healthier, no garbage in it, and it'll actually taste good.

Answer 2

Being 13 years old, you should seriously consider becoming informed first and foremost.  You have to figure out if this is something you really want to do and what will make you happy and healthy.  Do your research. Decide why you are considering this... is it for your health, personal choice, or animal rights issues... maybe all of them!  Once you figure out why ...your research will be easier.  I went through these same things at a young age and went about it in all the wrong ways and took a wild stab in the dark with it and got very sick.  I now have the information and tools to do this in a healthy way. Please dont make that mistake and good luck to you and whatever you may decide.  Go to GoVeg.com for a free guide to becoming a vegetarian.

Answer 3

I'm a vegetarian, but more specifically a pescatarian. It's when you still eat fish and seafood, just not meat. That's what you should be, because fish is high in protein and is very important for a growing teen to eat. Eggs are healthy too, so I suggest not cutting those out of your diet. I actually became a vegetarian at age 14, so close to you, and I just flat out told my parents. But make sure you come up with a good response to the question you'll be getting a LOT... "why did you become a vegetarian?" I got asked that so many times, although I do have my reasons, it got very annoying. Good luck, I support you 100% in your decision.

**Oh and if you do decide to become a pescatarian, try eating Gardenburgers and tofu alternatives from MorningStar. They are delicious, and very healthy!

Answer 4

go for it, theres nothing wrong being a vegetarian.

=]

Answer 5

It should be easy to tell your family,its no biggy hun.

If you can manage it,go for it!

Answer 6

Even if you don't go %100... less meat = definitely better!

Answer 7

I was 12 when i became vegetarian, and i was like you in that i didnt eat meat hardly at all, i just liked chicken, but i decided to go for it, and become vegitarian, i told my mom and she made me get all these vitamin stuffs, but i guess it depends on how you think you parents will react.  and alot of people dont consider seafood meat so you could still eat it if you wanted to look at it that way.

Answer 8

WEll I can tell you that I thought I would miss fish too. I was a huge sushi fan before becoming vegan. But when I read articles about the mercury content in fish and how it stays in your body I was like, gross. I think tuna has the highest mercury content too. I would suggest starting slow, take out one or two things out of your diet a week. Do it gradually and it'll be easier. You can tell your family just by simply telling them you have decided to no longer eat meat. Unfortunately because you're young your parents may not give you a whole lot of choice (depending on your parents anyways) If you're going to give up meat I highly suggest at some point ditching the milk products as well. Milk is so bad when you get right down to whats in it, how the cows are treated, how no other animal on the planet drinks the milk of another animal or the milk of its own species past infancy, how detrimental it is to the environment, etc etc...

Best of luck, and welcome to a healthier lifestyle.

Answer 9

If you want to keep eating fish you can go pesco-vegetarian.

When bringing up the topic, choose the perfect time. Not after work, early in the morning or when they are tired. I told my mom Saturday while she was making lunch. I said "Mom, we need to talk." When you say that it seems like it is going to be a bigger topic then it really is. From there just tell her.

I wrote notes about going veg, a pros-cons sheet and a list of reasons to go vegetarian. It showed her that I was thinking deeply about it and it wasn't just some temporary thing.

Hope I helped!

Answer 10

regarding your love of tuna--i sometimes miss that too, but when I am craving tuna salad I make a mock tuna salad either using chickpeas or tofu--very convincing and yummy! :o)