Wanting to become a vegetarian

[SMILEYSIXX]

For personal reasons, I want to become a vegetarian. I tried before but didn't get very far. Who here is a vegetarian and would have any advice to give? I wanna drop meat altogether as soon as I can. Also, any advice on dealing with a family that wouldn't understand?

[MatticusMania]

Oh boy. Prepare to be told how tasty meat is by non-vegetarians.

You've got 27 pages to read up on, there should be some good info for you here: Vegetarian Club Anyone?

Ive been vegetarian for a year and a half. Tried it once when I was 16, too hard to do with my Mom doing all the cooking. I didnt want to burden her with having to make a special meal for me. Now that I do all my own cooking its quite simple. Living with a girlfrien who is now veg for 11 years makes it easier for me.

I was able to give meat up cold turkey, though some may suggest you ween yourself off of it. If your family doesnt understand, dont expect that you'll somehow show them the light. Let them feel how they will about it, just ask that they respect your decision. I expect that they'll ask you to explain why. Don't be preachy, theres nothing worse than a militant veg/vegan. Also, dont criticize their choice to continue eating meat.

[Simo98]

I have been working on a similar problem for quite some time, making slow progress. It has taken several years to convince my family that I feel strongly about vegetable rights, and so will consume only meat, potatoes and grain based foods.

But seriously, is there any particular reason your family wouldn't understand? Have you sat down with them and had a talk about it? I mean, having a vegetarian in the family surely wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience, especially if you are willing to prepare your own food when the rest of the family isn't eating what you will.

As far as dropping meat, I can't give you advice there, but my one word of wisdom when dealing with family is; Communicate.

[SMILEYSIXX]

Thanks for the link, Matticus! I forgot there was a vegetarian club

As for my family, I tried to inconspicuously do it before. My first two meals: Tofu at PF Chang's and A portobello Sandwich at Crisper's. My dad asked if I was becoming "some kind of hippie" and proceeded to label vegetarianism is "being a p**sy". Coomunication may not happen.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

For personal reasons, I want to become a vegetarian. I tried before but didn't get very far. Who here is a vegetarian and would have any advice to give? I wanna drop meat altogether as soon as I can. Also, any advice on dealing with a family that wouldn't understand?

I have gone for years as vegetarian, and the best piece of advice I can give you is to research it carefully, especially the part about protein and the amino acids found therein. If you starve your body of certain amino acids, you will have health problems.

As far as the conceptions of others, when you feel great, get fit and trim, have a better outlook, and rarely get colds and flus, you won't give a damn what anyone else has to say.

[MatticusMania]

Like Simo said, communication is important. Its going to be a hell of a lot harder to go veg without any sort of support. Maybe talk to your mother about it first if your dad just thinks vegetarianism is for p*****s. Ask her if it would be at all possible to prepare a side meal without meat for you on occasion (simply whatever she is already making, minus the meat). To ease the burden, learn how to cook yourself as well. This cookbook called the Students Vegetarian Cookbook, Ive linked to it in the Vegetarian thread, has a bunch of easily prepared, very affordable dishes in it.

[Simo98]

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

My dad asked if I was becoming "some kind of hippie" and proceeded to label vegetarianism is "being a p**sy". Coomunication may not happen.

Tell him yes, grow your hair and start wearing a tye-dye headband. That will really get him fuming

If you can't talk to them about it, becoming a full on vegetarian is going to be very, very difficult while living at home.

Worst case scenario, go for a "Eat as little meat as possible" diet until you move out of home. Don't eat meat unless it is served up to you, and then eat everything else on your plate first, and leave the meat till last.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Simo98

Worst case scenario, go for a "Eat as little meat as possible" diet until you move out of home. Don't eat meat unless it is served up to you, and then eat everything else on your plate first, and leave the meat till last.

Or don't eat the meat, and get yourself another helping of vegetables!

[Simo98]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Or don't eat the meat, and get yourself another helping of vegetables!

Exactly, I mean, if you stop eating the meat all together, then I doubt your parents will keep serving it up to you. Meat is quite expensive after all.

[username n/a]

You could just become a vegetarian and wait until they bring it up. That's what I did. It took them like 3 months to notice. Then again I live with my sister, and we never eat meals together, so you results may vary. Anywho, it's still a pretty good plan...

[MEKer]

I was a vegan for 6 months and discovered I had turned into a hippie and a p*$$y.

[basstotheface]

You will start to grow p***ies all over your body. You have been warned.

[poorbassist15]

I couldn't bring myself to give up steak. Good luck,though.

[SMILEYSIXX]

Originally Posted by username n/a

You could just become a vegetarian and wait until they bring it up. That's what I did. It took them like 3 months to notice. Then again I live with my sister, and we never eat meals together, so you results may vary. Anywho, it's still a pretty good plan...

How about that. Username gave an insightful idea.

It would work but like I said, my dad picked it up pretty first when I tried it before.

I could just grow out my hair, wear tye dye, and stop bathing. Then vegetarianism will be the last of my dad's worries

But really, I have a little help coming. A friend of mine is coming doown on vacation and she's a vegetarian and an amazing cook too. She said she's gonna show me some recipes and help me out a little.

[EBodious]

27 year p***y here.

i started when i was about your age. my dad was not the least bit supportive, but didn't label me anything in particular. i think he just didn't get it (nothing in his culture prepped him for the idea). my mom accepted it, after putting up with me complaining about being forced to eat meat for probly 5 yrs prior.

my healthy vegetarianism didn't really kick in till i went off to college and started feeding myself 24/7. you can do interweb research, if that is your thing, and learn plenty. i just try to be conscious of eating a diversity of foods. in other words, not just cheese and bread (in its many forms). these days there is plenty of support for the veg diet in hipper towns and cities. you live in florida, you should be alright if you are in one of the big metropolises.

if you are doing this to avoid killing animals, then you may want to consider the vegan perspective. if you are doing this to have a healthier diet, then (IMHO) it is not just about avoiding meat products. you can eat very unhealthily and still be veg. for me, healthy is avoiding heavily processed foods. eat lots of fresh foods and a variety of legumes and whole grains. and, i strongly suggest starting to learn how to cook. the asian cooking traditions are very veg friendly, healthy, and fargin delicious (again, IMHO).

some things to be careful about are keeping up your intake of vitamin B12 and essential fatty acids.

good luck to you. can't help you with your dad. but maybe, if you are calm, clear, researched, and persistent, he might just grow a little larger in perspective from your example.

[Deathblade Eric]

Bacon. Smoked Bacon. Grilled Smoked Bacon.

Overcome that hurdle & you're home & dry. You may also develop the completely useless talent of being able to detect a good/bad/indifferent butcher's/deli by smell alone... and the not-so-useless skill of realising just how rank those "Southern Fried Chicken" franchises are.

+1 on it being easier if you're at college, much less chance of getting the 'commie soapdodger' spiel.

[Infidelity]

Hmmmm.. All meat pizza..

[blendermassacre]

for the love of god, if you become a vegetarian, don't just eat fried veggies (jalapeño poppers, fried okra, fried cauliflower, etc). You need to make sure you get enough protein, otherwise you'll be sick a lot.

Invest in morning star farms stuff. It's easy and pretty tasty overall.

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I was able to give meat up cold turkey

Edited, and Sigged!!

Ironic much??

Just Kidding!!

Stay in School!

[DanRJBrasil]

If you want to move this way you have to be very careful about your protein intake as most vegetarian diets have a great lack of it, lack of protein can be harmful to you, have you seen how small and fragile indian people are? that is because the lack of protein intake, and you can became weak and susceptible to diseases if don't take a proper diet, but there's plenty vegetable protein if you care to take a proper diet