Is it normal for parents to tell you being a vegetarian

Is stupid?? My parents told me I can't be a vegetarian. They said it was stupid and unhealthy they completely disrespected my decision. It crushed me and idk what to do!! I won't eat meat so I get in trouble for not eating I'm so confused on what to do. is it normal and any advice??

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36% Normal
Based on 53 votes (19 yes)
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Comments ( 18 )
  • VioletTrees

    Your parents are full of shit about this, but it's not terribly uncommon for parents not to respect their children's decision to become vegetarian. My parents did, fortunately. One what basis are they saying it's unhealthy?

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  • Vulpes

    I`ve been a vegetarian since I was 11 years old, and I`m 19 now.
    My parents told me it was stupid and refused to buy me separate things to eat, and to cook my own separate lunches. I mean it could have been a hassle but flat out refusing is a bit. . :/ so I got my own stuff with pocket money and learnt how to do my own foods. Everyone seems to think that veggie`s eat lettuce and that`s it but there is an amazing range of foods out there especially for vegetarians!

    I recently discovered Quorn. It`s so yummy. :Q

    Some people this that vegetarianism is some sort of way of looking cool, or just an excuse to look down on people. That`s ridiculous, and a stigma set by idiots. A lot of people give up meat for lots of different reasons, usually for the animals. I know I did.

    And it can be very healthy! Just be careful to get enough protein and things. Learn how to take care of yourself at the start and you`ll be fine! :3

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  • dappled

    My parents didn't support my decision either because they thought it was a passing phase and I was just trying to be "cool". I'm all grown up now and still a vegetarian, so I guess they were wrong on that.

    For a long time, they just gave me the same as everyone else (sans meat). Some meals for me were just mashed potato and vegetable gravy.

    Eventually (and it took a couple of years), they started buying me vegetarian food, being more open-minded about it, and trying it themselves (my mum, in particular). I think she still ate nut cutlets for a while after I moved out.

    Being a vegetarian isn't stupid or unhealthy. It shows an awareness of where your food comes from (if done for moral reasons), which is anything but stupid. If you want to print this out and show your parents, feel free.

    If they want to hear from someone who turned vegetarian while still a minor, and who is now an adult vegetarian, my email address is [email protected]. I'd be happy to talk to them about it.

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  • wistfulmaiden

    Your parents probably don't know a lot about being vegetarian or just think youre being difficult(probably don't want to have to prepare separate meals). But if they were smart they would realize that being against something is a sure way to encourage you even more!

    Don't eat meat if you don't want to, but don't expect your parents to make special meals for you, either cook for yourself or eat the other stuff they make. They will end up respecting your decision hopefully.

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  • loopoo

    I feel sorry for you, when I turned vegetarian my parents couldn't care but they supported it. They can't force you to eat something you don't want, prove to them it's a normal diet that plenty of people do, and maybe show them that it's generally more healthy than a meat eating diet.

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  • meowpower

    Considering that I'm black and with black families comes the love of chicken and meat meat meat(especially my relatives in the south), it's odd to them that I prefer not to eat meat. My mother was a vegetarian for over 10 yrs nd is now a pescetarian(ttly spelled tht wrong). She influenced me not to eat meat(tho I will occasionally if theres no option at an event..). Don't let ur parents put u down. So lame! And meat.. its kind of repulsive. Have u ever seen the documentary Meet Your Meat? How it's processed. Many all over online.. I recommended watching a few. I salute u if u go veg:) u can lead a perfectly healthy life. I take daily vitamins(most days haha) but even then as long as ur diet is bamced its not even necessary.
    But ..for ur parents to turn down ur choice like tht.. they're just being ignorant and unopen to something new.

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  • dinz

    Being a vegetarian you will need to ensure you substitute what you're missing if you don't consume meat, Indian vegetarian dishes have been perfected over thousands of years.

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  • blueberry26

    I just turned vegetarian 4 days ago , i didn't tell my parents about it because they'll never understand what I'm talking about (especially because its because of animals ). Although they'll feel so sorry for animals when i show them what I mean but they're not gonna stop eating meat or chicken and they won't let me do this , so I'm keeping it as a secret and I'm also starting to know more about my body health with this .

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  • Babycakes_14

    I'm a vegetarian was since the moment I was born. I have never tasted meat so it's not normal for me. It pretty cheep also.

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  • ijustmakeitworse

    No offense, but your parents sound very ignorant on the topic. I've been vegetarian since I was 15 and I haven't dropped dead yet (I'm 22). In fact, I'm much healthier now than I used to be when I ate meat. Vegetarians tend to be smarter because we actually think about what's going into our bodies. Just don't eat meat and keep at it. Just because they're your parents doesn't mean they know best, and in this case, they really don't know best! In fact, they should be supporting you! They're the ones not being healthy since cholesterol is only found in animal fat.

    Also, since they're not supporting you, you might have to buy your own food. I had to do this (and still have to) because even though my dad was indifferent to my decision, he didn't exactly go out of his way to buy me food. But no worries, a lot of vegetarian products are pretty cheap.

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  • Avant-Garde

    The first time I tried vegetarianism, my family and some of my friends were very unsupportive. I was treated very badly and I only lasted for about one or two months until my mother forced me to go back to being a omnivore. The second time round, I was had to deal with difficulties from my family who didn't believe It was possible to be allergic to meat. I had my last bite of meat months ago and I'm still fairly healthy.
    There's lots of ways for a vegetarian to still get protein (fish, dairy, nuts, etc.) There's nothing wrong about this, but what is wrong is your family's ignorance towards it.

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    • meowpower

      True vegetarians don't eat fish. They don't eat any mammals or fish killed to go into their stomach. That's called pescetarians.

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      • Avant-Garde

        I see. Thank you.

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  • KeddersPrincess

    When I was a child, I would've died to have my parents make me eat meat instead of vegetables.

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  • drumandpickchick

    No that's not nice. Just make sure you're providing your own food. I worked in grocery retail and I can't tell you how many stressed out parents come spending more money after they've alreay done their shopping for the rest of the family. They were irritaed looking for alternative meals for because "My son just decided to be a vegan/vegetarian." ...as they're rolling their eyes. This happens more often around holidays when you have to make a huge meal and $$$ and then an extra meal because they're being picky. The people having to cook for the vegan/vegitarian usually aren't educated about what you want and what you now do and don't want to eat. Do them a favor and buy your own food and cook it too. I just think the parents try and care for their kids wants and needs, but it's kind of rude to spring this on them and expect them to buy your food and cook it for you.

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    • meowpower

      Okay wow, I'm sorry but that's very ignorant. For years with family dinners it's never been much of a trouble to provide vegetarian dishes. money for this extra meal ? BS. Make the dish. Two containers. Add the meat later. Nd so what if there isn't a dead animal in it? Is it that important? Families that shop with such stress about the issue r unnecessarily putting stress on this petty situation . It's not that hard:/
      And to say all of them r just being picky? Label that word for everyone? Very insulting. Sry that not everyone has the taste to consume over processed, hormone injected, factory raised, miserable, deformed animals.

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  • NotFloydzie

    Then do it when you become independent and live on your own outside your parent's rules.

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  • dirtybirdy

    That's nonsense. If you're serious enough about it, get some facts and whatnot together, charts and graphs even, and show them what's up. Just eat properly, unlike a few hip vegetarians I've come across these days.

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