Taking the Plunge: Going Vegetarian

Early teenage years are a time to start exploring what really matters to you, what choices best represent your identity, and to establish yourself as separate from your parents and even your peers. It can be hard to be different and stand out from the crowd, but teen years can be a time to learn how comfortable you are taking a stand on certain issues. It’s also a time to start understanding your own position in relation to others.

One choice that is both personal and political that continues to become more popular is to choose a vegetarian diet. There are lots of different reasons to go vegetarian, even at a young age. Most vegetarians do not eat meat, poultry, or fish but still consume dairy products and eggs. Whether you’re concerned about animals, the environment, or just want to try a new healthy way of eating, you are not alone.

There are many reasons to choose vegetarianism, even at a young age. More and more young people are seeking out information online and changing their diets as a result. For example, it’s easy to find YouTube videos that show animal abuse on factory farms, where most of our meat and dairy is produced. The videos can be difficult to watch but also informative. There are a number of vegetarian teen forums online that you can also join even if you’re still only considering vegetarianism. On the message boards, you can find information about cooking, animal rights, and share stories about dealing with family and friends who may not understand your decision.

Often the hardest part of going vegetarian is dealing with your family once you’ve made your own decision. If you decide to go vegetarian and have supportive parents, you’re one of the lucky ones. More than likely, you’re going to meet a lot of resistance to your decision. It’s common to hear horror stories from young people and their parents about the difficulties a family can face when one teen chooses to be vegetarian. But, there are a couple of easy ways you can make the transition easier for everyone.

•    Start learning to cook. If you are willing to help your parents cook vegetarian meals, they are much more likely to agree to eating them with you. You can agree to one vegetarian meal each week to start.
•    Be willing to try new foods. Vegetarian diets can require different types of foods than you may have eaten before. In order to get enough protein, for example, you may need to eat more beans, peas, lentils, and nuts. If you don’t already eat many of these foods, it’s time to start experimenting!
•    Seek out another supportive adult. In my case, I got advice from my grandparents. They also helped me purchase vitamins when I could not afford the ones I needed. Most importantly, they can help you talk through your decision and help you make healthy choices that you and your parents can agree on.

You may not be able to completely remove animals or animal products from your diet while you live at home. But, as you get older, you can continue to find creative ways to reduce your meat consumption. If you choose vegetarianism for ethical reasons, remember: even if you can’t be 100% vegetarian, it’s always better to do something than nothing. It’s equally important to remember that if the decision feels affirming for you, it is probably a good choice. It’s important to stand up for what you believe in, especially when it doesn’t hurt others. In this case, it doesn’t hurt anyone; it might even save a few animals lives instead.

Books to check out:
I'm a Vegetarian: Amazing Facts and Ideas for Healthy Vegetarians by Ellen Schwartz
Kids Can Cook: Vegetarian Recipes by Dorothy R. Bates
The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook by Judy Krizmanic and Matthew Wawiorka
Vegetables Rock!: A Complete Guide for Teenage Vegetarians by Stephanie Pierson

Image licensed under Creative Commons: <div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" about="http://www.flickr.com/photos/computix/59405056/"><a rel="cc:attributionURL" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/computix/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/computix/</a> / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">CC BY-NC 2.0</a></div>

Taking the Plunge: Going Vegetarian

Brittany Shoot

About the Author

Brittany Shoot

Taking the Plunge: Going Vegetarian Brittany Shoot Early teenage years are a time to start exploring what really matters to you, what choices best represent your identity, and to establish yourself as separate from your parents and even your peers. It can be hard to be different and stand out from the crowd, but teen years can be a time to learn how comfortable you are taking a stand on certain issues. It’s also a time to start understanding your own position in relation to others. One choice that is both personal and political that continues to become more popular is to choose a vegetarian diet. There are lots of different reasons to go vegetarian, even at a young age. Most vegetarians do not eat meat, poultry, or fish but still consume dairy products and eggs. Whether you’re concerned about animals, the environment, or just want to try a new healthy way of eating, you are not alone. There are many reasons to choose vegetarianism, even at a young age. More and more young people are seeking out information online and changing their diets as a result. For example, it’s easy to find YouTube videos that show animal abuse on factory farms, where most of our meat and dairy is produced. The videos can be difficult to watch but also informative. There are a number of vegetarian teen forums online that you can also join even if you’re still only considering vegetarianism. On the message boards, you can find information about cooking, animal rights, and share stories about dealing with family and friends who may not understand your decision. Often the hardest part of going vegetarian is dealing with your family once you’ve made your own decision. If you decide to go vegetarian and have supportive parents, you’re one of the lucky ones. More than likely, you’re going to meet a lot of resistance to your decision. It’s common to hear horror stories from young people and their parents about the difficulties a family can face when one teen chooses to be vegetarian. But, there are a couple of easy ways you can make the transition easier for everyone. • Start learning to cook. If you are willing to help your parents cook vegetarian meals, they are much more likely to agree to eating them with you. You can agree to one vegetarian meal each week to start. • Be willing to try new foods. Vegetarian diets can require different types of foods than you may have eaten before. In order to get enough protein, for example, you may need to eat more beans, peas, lentils, and nuts. If you don’t already eat many of these foods, it’s time to start experimenting! • Seek out another supportive adult. In my case, I got advice from my grandparents. They also helped me purchase vitamins when I could not afford the ones I needed. Most importantly, they can help you talk through your decision and help you make healthy choices that you and your parents can agree on. You may not be able to completely remove animals or animal products from your diet while you live at home. But, as you get older, you can continue to find creative ways to reduce your meat consumption. If you choose vegetarianism for ethical reasons, remember: even if you can’t be 100% vegetarian, it’s always better to do something than nothing. It’s equally important to remember that if the decision feels affirming for you, it is probably a good choice. It’s important to stand up for what you believe in, especially when it doesn’t hurt others. In this case, it doesn’t hurt anyone; it might even save a few animals lives instead. Books to check out: I'm a Vegetarian: Amazing Facts and Ideas for Healthy Vegetarians by Ellen Schwartz Kids Can Cook: Vegetarian Recipes by Dorothy R. Bates The Teen’s Vegetarian Cookbook by Judy Krizmanic and Matthew Wawiorka Vegetables Rock!: A Complete Guide for Teenage Vegetarians by Stephanie Pierson Image licensed under Creative Commons: <div xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" about="http://www.flickr.com/photos/computix/59405056/"><a rel="cc:attributionURL" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/computix/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/computix/</a> / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">CC BY-NC 2.0</a></div>
About the Author Brittany Shoot Brittany Shoot is a freelance writer living in Copenhagen, Denmark. She earned a Master's degree in Visual and Media Arts from Emerson College in Boston. She believes girls are often much smarter than adults think they are.