Coming out of the vegetable closet

I'd say just be blunt about it. If they aren't going to be mad about it, just let them know you're going to try vegetarianism. I'd look into some animal welfare, factory farming information and so on so if they fire away with questions, or say things like "but eating meat is natural" you can explain why it's a good idea or rebut their assumptions on vegetarianism.

Sprite is vegetarian. Everything is vegetarian as long as it contains no meat: beef, lamb, pork, chicken, seafood.

Not sure about the above comment. As a vegetarian there are many things that aren't vegetarian, you can't simply just avoid meat. I have a page on my site www.VeganTasmania.com called Ingredients where I have listed a huge huge list of animal derived ingredients.

Aside from the obvious you need to look out for Carmine colour number 120. Also if you're eating cheese you need to be aware of rennet, which is animal fat from the stomach. And of course you also need to avoid gelatine.

For a vegetarian other than those 3 ones that repeatedly show up you're pretty safe.

Oh by the way.. CONGRATULATIONS! Well done you!

Agreed. Gelatine is made from animal bits like hooves and things so that is still directly related to the slaughter of an animal. Obiously dairy and that is also related but in a vegetarianism instance there is more than just meat you have to look for. Also, in things like red rock deli honey soy chicken chips it has chicken fat as an ingrediant so there are the clear avoidables like those, just gotta read the ingrediants really.

As for the breaking your decision to your parents, the first discussion is easy, it's the point when they realise this isn't just a phase that is a little more difficult. I have to cook all my own meals in order to be vego, so if your passionate, and willing to put in a bit of effort, there is nothing your parents really can do. awesome decision, good luck!

Thanks man. I'll check your site.

I don't eat meat however on occasion may eat gelatine products and such. I still classify myself vegetarian: but people always have a different view of what is and what isn't.

Yeah, some people don't like the idea of eating meat, and some wont touch any animal products. Different strokes for different folks.

I told my parents i was Vegan after about two days of serious research on the diet and how to maintain health (and discovering this site).
I am fifteen so they automatically just started making jokes about it and my mum kept saying things like 'Shes gone vegan' like it rhymed with 'Shes started worshipping the devil'

but now i have sort of preached to them the reasons why i decided to go vegan (Not buying into the industry of cruelty and what actually happens to the animals) etc etc and they have finally accepted I am serious about it and stopped the jokes about it. My mum even said she was proud that i had actually taken the time to research what was happening to these animals and that i am doing something about it.

Basically ive been vegan for about 10 days give or take and i have had bucketloads of people giving me crap for it ever since and i dont care because i know what i am doing is right and they have obviously not researched where their food has come from before it was put on their plates.

x
Hope i helped in some way.
haha

This may sound odd but;

Im still trying to understand why people care what their parents think? You are doing something which is not opinionated, but factually a good thing. There are no negatives to stopping animal suffering so who gives a sh** if your parents mind.

PS: Ashley you are smart.