Vegetarian vs anti vegetarian grandmother?

Question

Uhm, I only eat chicken. And I want to go into full vegetarianism. However, when I brought this up with my grandmother, she automatically began criticizing vegetarians. Saying that they don't eat enough protein and that it is extremely strict. I know all of this to be false. But when I try to talk to her about the benefits of being a vegetarian and about how you really can get enough protein, she doesn't even care. She won't even listen to me and all she does is get defensive. I don't know how to handle this. I have tried to talk to my dad(whom I don't live with) and all he doesn't understand either.

Is there anyone else out there with this same problem?

If so, what happened? How did you solve it or what did you say?

Please and thank you!

Answer 1

Listen to yourself. You are telling an elderly woman that her diet that has kept her alive and healthy and able to take care of a 16 year old granddaughter, is unhealthy. To her you sound ridiculous. Maybe, she also knows other stuff about you that makes her think that way.

Answer 2

Well, if you learn how to cook, there's no way that anyone can interfere with your decision.

Can you manage to get your hands on the following: bread, pasta, cereal, rice, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies?

If you can get those things into your house, you can easily eat a balanced vegetarian diet. If you can stop your grandma from shoving meat down your throat, you're good to go.

I would put an emphasis on "veggies" such as mustard, collards and kale.

http://www.veganhealth.org/sh

http://www.pcrm.org

There are some other things that you should know. All vegetarians should take a B12 supplement regularly since most people eat meat, dairy AND fortified cereals yet still have a B12 status that is lower than recommended.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/b12

Every other nutrient is easily found in plant foods or other sources.

If you have any doubts that a vegetarian has all the potential of any other, let go of them now.

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http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/...

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Answer 3

Ask your grandmother to go with you to the local slaughter house. If she can honestly tell you to continue eating meat after witnessing how that burger ends up on your dinner plate, my hats off to her. I would tell your grandmother to educate herself on the matter. Your grandmother grew up in an era where eating meat and potatoes was considered normal. Trust me, in a hundred years veggers will soon outnumber carnivores. You flesh-eater you....lol

Answer 4

are you kidding? don't even bring up the subject. respect your elders they may be the people who just might leave you lot's of money one day.

Answer 5

I don't know why you need to be arguing with your grandmother about this issue. Unless she is making you eat chicken, just show how healthy being a vegetarian is by example.  

Answer 6

I don't have the same problem, but I support the vegetarian lifestyle!  If her only concern is protein, she is not educated on the topic. I was reading "skinny *****" which is a NYTimes Best Seller and they wrote (Page 86) "American Dietetic Association reports that eating a vegitarian diet provides twice the amount of protien needed daily."  They go on to say that foods like beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, veggies, whole grains and so forth are great souces of protien.  

You are right, you just need to prove it to her.  Perhaps by comparing different packages nutrition charts you can show her that many of these foods are the same in protien content,but lowerin fat, cholesteral, calories and so forth.  And don't get me started on growth  hormones.

Stick to your guns.  If they are serving meat, you don't need to eat it. good luck!

Answer 7

If you eat chicken, you aren't vegetarian.

Answer 8

Well first off, it'd be really helpful if you tell us your age. If you're young, and still having to live with your family...then just try dealing with it at the moment. Wait 'till you're older, such as 18, and find your own place. Once you're on your own, and you're a trusted adult, then you can pretty much do whatever you want too.

Answer 9

It's your life, you can become a vegitarian if you want to. If someone critisizes you about it you can say that you believe all life is sacred, even the life of the tiniest gnat caught in the dew of a grain of pollen!!!!! I am not against you. I'm not a vegitarian but i am not against it one bit!!!! i support it actually!!!!