So, I just got back from a lunch run with mum to Hungry Jacks. Originally we had decided on Red Rooster but I looked up the ingredients and realised nothing was okay for me to eat so I settled on Onion Rings (healthy, I know). I've been sick (vomiting everything) the past couple of days which I'm sure was from a Panang Tofu meal I had at some dodgy thai restaurant. Didn't realise there was a beef slice in it until the end. Not sure if that was the cause but it's the safest bet.
So we're on our way and everything's fine until she asks me what I'm having, so I say onion rings and she asked if that was all and it's not very healthy. I said there was nothing else I could have and since she was so intent on having fast food I chose them. So then she starts ranting about how hard it is for her, how I don't eat anything (only the past 2 days, if I do - I'm sick), how I'm 'always' sick and that I'M the one who's brainwashed and can't possibly be sick from the panang, I should eat 'normal' food and I'll NEVER be able to avoid animal products. Apparently I'm also not going to be able to have kids and I'll die really soon. So I tried talking rationally but she's the kind that talks over you and never listens and if you don't agree she goes on for hours about how wrong you are etc. Naturally, I became really upset and we had a yelling match in the car. Now I'm sitting here with nothing because I said I'd prove to her that if I don't eat anything I WILL die and/or not have kids. Sounds childish but I was really angry at the time.
This just annoys me SO much. What do you do when your family don't understand and turn on you? I always thought she was okay with it all and she even stated a few weeks ago she'd go vegetarian. I've tried so hard to not come across as preaching and I get this back. the worst thing said was that I'm the one brainwashed, that hurt me the most. I'm very upset and frustrated.
It sucks when parents aren't supportive. Mine were the same. Mind you I ate extremely poor when I was vegetarian, but some support and guidance in the right direction would have been better. I think parents don't understand when their child changes from the path they have chosen. They seem to take offence to it and/or just think it is a phase.
Unfortunately, you will probably put up with their criticism until you leave home, so try to prove to them that you can be a healthy veg and do plenty of research. Grab a good veg cookbook and perhaps surprise them with some tasty healthy veg food
hmmm
if health is the main conern,
maybe think about slipping in some vegan-health facts?
not an overload or anything,
but like if you're eating something that's a good source of iron,
make a point of saying "ooh, this is where i'll get ,my iron for today" etc
i've experienced similar problems in the past and sometimes it takes quite a while before parents can accept changes they see in their kids.. the main thing is that your mum sees you are eating a healthy and well balanced diet without regularly skipping meals.. then it is fairly likely that even if she is being stubborn now.. eventually she will come to terms with it.. as someone else already mentioned she probably thinks it's an unhealthy phase.. main thing is that you keep hanging in there and follow through with your beliefs by demonstrating your maturity to her.. keep us posted on how you go
p.s. maybe you could try cooking some healthy veggie dinner to share with her.. my mum doesn't care what i cook.. she's just happy when she doesn't have to
Wow, great advice here and you know what ... she probably will end up caving in and becoming vegetarian with you. You probably pricked her subconciousness into being embarrassed because greasy fast food is B-A-D (mum knows it). Give her time
I've had really similar experiences with my Mum. It is frustrating but I found somethings helped:
*Having vegan friends to talk to - they can make you feel like you're not alone
*Animal rights music - this helped me a lot because if you can't talk to someone at least you can listen to some music which reminds you that there are other people who feel like you do
*Be educated about nutrition - I find I know much more about nutrition than my omni family! And I eat pretty well too (and all my iron/calcium/b12 levels are good)
*Don't preach - I know its hard but don't mention it unless they genuinely want to talk about veganism with you
*Over time they will probably adjust, just stick to it! Once they realise you're serious about it, they'll have to learn to live with it.
My mother once told me I would lose my eyesight if I didn't eat eggs because they contain this nutrient that is good for your eyes. Turns out its in spinach too! My friend offered to be my guideperson if I ever went blind from not eating chicken periods!
My mother also told me that she used to want me to change my diet because she realised that what I was saying about animal exploitation was true. When you nail a point like that people sometimes get defensive.
When I lived at home I bought myself a cookbook and did all my own shopping and cooking. Better that than having to eat Hungry Jacks! Yuck!
My mum thinks I'm going to die from lack of protien and iron.
Becuase I don't eat meat.
What a nice mum I have,
I won't die becuase I know alot of food that will give me the iron and protien meat gives me.
o.O sometimes perants are overly protective.
But when their sitting in their retirement home, hooning around on their gophers you can tell them to stop and put a helmat on, eat their veggies and be nice.
Apparently I'm also not going to be able to have kids and I'll die really soon.
That's not a very nice thing to say.
Luckily my parents are okay, it's the granparents that don't get it. They don't think I'm serious about the whole thing, it's as if I'm going through a 'phase' or something. My nan even said that if I'm still vego by the time I'm 18 she has to take me out for a vegetarian meal, but if I'm not I have to take her out for a stake (which there is absolutly NO chance of!). I said "you're on, but what if I'm vegan when I'm 18? (because I plan to be)" there was no answer to this!
