Being A Vegetarian / Question
Published: December 10, 2008
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hello. I am a 14, almost 15 year old male. I was recently surfing the web when i stumbled upon an animal rights video. It was so moving it pushed me to become vegetarian. The only problem is I don't want to tell my parents because they won't take me seriously. This is something I feel very passionately about. The last few nights I have been skipping dinner or picking out the meat but it will only be a matter of time before I have to confront my parents about the issue. I just don't know what to say!!!!! Sincerely, Vegetarian and don't know what to tell the parentals
Signed: Vegetarian And Don't Know How To Tell Parents
Dear Vegetarian And Don't Know How To Tell Parents,
TeenHealthFX suggests that you tell your parents you would like to have some uninterrupted time to have a talk with them about something important to you. When you sit down to talk to them about this, you could always start by letting them know that you have made a decision about something that is very meaningful to you, that you are worried they will not take you seriously, and that it is important to you that they do take you seriously and respect your decision. Then tell them that you have decided to become a vegetarian after watching an animal rights video. Let them know what it was about this video that had such an impact on you, and even offer to show them the video so they can see it for themselves and maybe get a better understanding of where you are coming from.
To help your parents see how serious you are about this, talk to them about your plans for making this change. You might bring up things such as:
- How you are going to learn to eat in a healthy way as a vegetarian. Let your parents know that you plan on learning how you will ensure a healthy diet as a vegetarian. This might involve speaking to your doctor, school nurse or health teacher. You could go to the library or surf the web for information on maintaining healthy vegetarian diets and preparing vegetarian recipes.
- Who is going to prepare you meals? Are your parents okay about making more vegetarian meals or making a separate meal for you, or would they prefer you cook your own meals on the nights they are having something non-vegetarian?
- Grocery shopping. Will your parents pick up vegetarian food options for you, or would they like you to meal plan each week for yourself and add to the grocery list the items you will need?
Presenting to your parents you decision, why you have made this decision, and how you plan to make this change in a healthy way will help your parents to see that this choice has been well-thought out and that you are serious about what you are doing. And by following through with what you say to them, it will only strengthen your case.
To learn more about being a vegetarian in a healthy way, read our answer to “Healthy To Be A Vegetarian At 12” under the Being A Vegetarian section of the Sports and Nutrition category of the website.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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