my family is constantly telling me how unhealthy i am and how the cows have to die anyway and all this other crap and i have to go over to my grandparents house later for a talk about what i eat and i dont want to go im debating my options i mean i dont have to get in the car to drive over there i can sit in my room they made me read 15 pages out of a book about why im not healthy ive got four brothers a sister my parents and grandparents and all of them are constantly harassing me and my lifestyle, i can't even eat in front of them because i know i'll get yelled at again, it sucks when your entire family is completely unsupportive of your lifestyle, i've brought up so many things for them to look at that supports being a vegan and they always come back with something and why its not, what the hell am i supposed to do????
and only one of my brothers friend congratulated me on being a vegan, he siad that soemday he was going to become one too every single one of my friends is constantly telling me why i should eat meat and shoving it in my face and making jokes, and when i try to get a reasonable answer out of them they say 'cause youre not getting all the good stuff youre supposed to be eating' and that was it! they dont even know what theyre talking about!!!!!!!'
I'm sorry to hear it. Here some ideas I have. Show them you are responsible. It sounds as if some of these attacks rise out of genuine concern. Remember, many people still believe everyone must eat meat to live. Show them you can be a responsible, healthy vegetarian. Get vegetarian nutrition books and cookbooks at your library or bookstore. Pitch in a little with the shopping and cooking (if you don't already). Don't give them a reason to be defensive. Some aggression toward vegetarians rises out of the fear you are going to start trying to 'convert' them. It's best to keep the activism low-key while your family makes this transition. Don't get into fights or try to lecture people. If someone keeps trying to get you to eat meat, holds it in front of you, etc., refuse it without getting angry. If you say "No," enough times in a calm voice, they will get tired of the game. Try a serious talk. Consider seriously talking to one of your parents. Explain that, even if vegetarianism isn't important to them, it is important to you. You can explain some of your reasons without condemning them. You can display your knowledge of the healthiness of vegetarianism. Remember, you aren't alone! Many young people experience these sorts of hassles from their family, not just about vegetarianism, but any significant life decision. You may want to check out "Living Among Meat Eaters", by Carol Adams. This book has helped many vegetarians of all ages. Ms. Adams has also written a book for parents, called "Help! My Child Stopped Eating Meat!" You can get both these books from Amazon.com.
i experiance the SAME thing from my family, not just about being a vegan but about religion and about my political views and pretty much everything elsei'm sorry to say they probabaly will not change, unless some sort of miracle happen i am here though if ya need someone to talk to who understands or if you just want to vent you can contact me on MSN or AIM or EMAIL if ya want
almost every vegetarian experiences negative reactions from their families. i do to this day, always having to battle concerns over nutrition from my mother. i have found that the average veg*n knows A LOT more about nutrition than the average omni- i can't count the number of times that i've heard the question, "so where do you get your protein?" my response, "um, nuts, beans, whole grains... everywhere?" there really is no such thing as a protein deficiency. most people are hostile because they are ignorant and/or because they fear something that is different from the way they've always done things. education is all you can hope to do for your family- education about nutrition as well as about your valid reasons for choosing the lifestyle that you did. if they won't respect animal welfare as a reason, then try the environmental ones. and if even that won't work, mention all of the hormones present in animal products these days- things are different now than they were back in the day. i lived in the veg closet for years because i was afraid of how my family would react. i would hate for anyone else to experience similar things. my best wishes and hopes that your family will someday understand. and even if they don't, i encourage you to stay veg*n. remember it's about your health and conscience, and not about what anyone else thinks you should do.
Wow! Your family must really not like vegetables. I imagine they are concerned about your health and they want you to have a balanced diet. Is there a way that you can show them a vegetarian diet can meet (and easily exceed) all of the recommended daily allowances as far as vitamins and nutrients are concerned. Just keep educating yourself on vegetarianism. Remember the problem that anyone has toward vegetarianism is their own problem! Thier seem to be alot of studies that recommend a vegetarian diet for optimal health. Try this website...I love it www.drweil.com. There is alot of info on vegetarianism on there you just have to look for it! I wish you the best. P.S. Your familt is correct about the cows still dying, but I say, Why support those who kill them by purchasing and consuming meat, YUCK!"
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/ada1993.htm This is an article from the American Dietetic Association...supporting vegetarianism.
