Comments on: How to tell the folks you’re vegetarian

By: SteF

SteF — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:48:19 +0000

This is the first time I read your blog and I can promise, it wont be the last!
I went vegetarian about 6 weeks ago and I am having a bit of a struggle with my mother as well! She is very old-school and it can be a bit frustrating but I think once she sees that I am serious about it she just might accept it (I hope).
In my 6 weeks of giving up meat eggs and 85% of all dairy, I am wondering the same thing as you…how do I feel?
Well I have lost about 10 pounds, without trying, I sleep uninterrupted for 6-8 hours straight, and I just feel … lighter.
I feel better than I have in…well, probably ever and thats good enough for me!

By: Carrie

Carrie — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:29:51 +0000

Ha! I could totally relate. Everytime I go home to visit my grandma I tell her I don’t eat meat and every time she makes chicken and says “i thought you did’t eat meat, this is chicken”….ah, what can you do!?! I just smile politely and tell her once again that I also dont eat chicken.

By: Kendall Butler

Kendall Butler — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:01:22 +0000

my aunt gives me weird looks when i dont have any meat on my plate… i was eating rice and corn and she would not stop insiting that it needed some beef gravy… shes like- ” your only 15! you cant think for yourself yet, if this is about your weight, we can run evryday blah blah blah!!!!” grrrr it makes me so mad. she thinks im doing for my fatness, like its anorexia and its not…. its just… life. (btw its half for my fatness and half for the animals. =] lol)

By: Basia

Basia — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:58:09 +0000

While the lack of change in your body may signify that you are not missing nutritional balance, what people are really looking for when they give/hear claims of physical improvement is backing for the superiority of a vegan life choice. For many it’s not enough to be “as good as”. They want, secretly or not-so-much, to be “better than”. In truth, ANY life choice that meshes well with you both internally and externally will produce the positive physical results reported, because reducing inner conflict reduces stress. Reducing stress reduces digestive/sleep/skin/health problems. That does NOT mean that a vegan choice is greater than OR less than. It means that inner balance wins everything.

By: Cyndy LaFont

Cyndy LaFont — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:30:43 +0000

Some family members think I am from another planet.
I try not to mention my veganism. I just remember to bring vegan friendly foods to share. This way I get to eat with out any one saying “You don’t have much on your plate? Are you not feeling well?”

Every thing is lathered in butter, milk sauces or meat gravy. They just don’t get the “nothing that comes from an animal not just the meat”

For the most they don’t say anything now that we are around each other more. They accept it and don’t bug me too much anymore.

By: Claire

Claire — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:52:58 +0000

Just don’t take it personally.
When people make uninformed or rude comments, take a breath and politely explain your reasons.
Personally I’ve unintentionally started a lot of arguments with the people around me by trying to explain my decisions, sometimes it’s unavoidable! (e.g. my best friend’s family are beef farmers)
My father looks down on me as if I’m eating mcdonalds when I ask for my meal minus the meat/dairy and is visibly embarrassed that his offspring could be so ‘stupid’ as to get ‘conned’ into the vegetarian ‘cult’.
As for differences- my skin, hair and nails are looking so much better! I’m happier, less stressed/guilty, have much less digestive issues and more energy! I feel at peace with my diet, I feel lighter (both emotionally and physically) and overall sunnier!

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:40:40 +0000

great post! i will definitely come back to your site

i became a vegetarian 12.5 years ago (it was my freshman year in college). i have to say, back then, veggie alternatives weren’t plentiful and a lot of my food decisions weren’t entirely healthy. it took years for me to figure out a vegetarian diet that worked–one that left me feeling great and one that would keep the pesky freshman 15 away (i soon discovered that peanut butter and lots of nutella was–sadly–not the answer).

my parents STILL don’t get it. it’s like that scene out of “my big fat greek wedding” (even though my mother is german). i tell her i don’t eat meat, and she offers to make lamb. the f*ck?!? LOL!! but at least we’ve come to a point of tolerance and acceptance. when i visit my parents now, i’ll make flax seed muffins or stir-fry tofu and slowly (we’re talking REALLY slowly), they have warmed up to the idea that their daughter is a vegetarian.

good luck to you–i’m sure your parents will come around soon!

By: Meredith

Meredith — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:48:26 +0000

I love this post. I was raised in the meat-centric Midwest and when I go back there and mention my vegetarian diet, I do feel like people take it personally in some cases. [How dare you not want to eat my roast beef!!!] When asked about it, I say that it is the best fit for MY lifestyle and leave it at that…

I can’t even tell you how many times I have been asked the question “well, you still eat chicken, right?”, after I tell them I a veggie. I don’t understand this, anyone else share this experience?

By: Sallie Ann

Sallie Ann — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:31:33 +0000

I just found your blog and I love it! What great writing, and such relatable issues. I created my blog (www.bunny-bites.blogspot.com) to shed a little light on eating a vegetable-based diet, but not giving up any of the “fun,” that is so much a part of food. Though I was raised without many animal products (no milk or eggs, and very little animal meat) since I’m older, many of my friends and extended family aren’t sure what to do with me. But, after reading my blog, seeing what I eat and cook, they realize there is no sacrifice. I love food and chefs and wine and festivals…I’m not really an animal lover, so if I wanted a steak I’d eventually eat it. I’ve given up nothing. So…keep up your great writing and I’ll keep reading and grinning. Just delightful!

By: Helena Himm

Helena Himm — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:48:27 +0000

This story was very well written, it made me smile and making me think in becoming part vegetarian, perhaps eating animals just on weekends, let’s see how that goes.

Cheers!