How to Tell Your Parents You Want to Be a Vegan or Vegetarian

So, you want to go vegan/vegetarian but you're afraid your parents will freak? Here are some ideas to ease your way into convincing them to let you go vegan/vegetarian.

Steps

1
Decide whether you really want to go vegan/vegetarian. What are your reasons? Are you doing it because you want to be healthier? Do you want to stop animal cruelty or give a hand on protecting the environment? Are you converting to a religion that requires you to be vegetarian/vegan?
2
Find out what vitamins, etc that you might miss out on from not eating meat, dairy, eggs, etc. For example, you may need to take vitamins such as Iron, B12, Omega-3, Zinc, and Vitamin D.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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3
Find a time when your parents are not busy. Telling your parents when they are busy will most likely make them say no. Notice if your parents look relaxed and in a good mood then approach them.
4
If they are sitting watching TV, that may be a good time-make sure it's not their favorite show though! If it is their favorite show, chances are they will be annoyed, and get frustrated, which is not the mood you want them to be in.
5
Sit down and ask them if you can have a talk. If they say 'yes say - "Mum, Dad I just wanted to let you know that I have made the decision to go Vegan/Vegetarian. I would really appreciate if I could have your support on this." If they disagree, educate your parents by showing them films about veganism such as Earthlings, Cowspiracy, Meet Your Meat and Forks Over Knives. Do some research and state the real facts about why meat, dairy, and eggs are unhealthy to your parents as well, who knows they may join you on your vegan journey.^{[2]
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6
Tell them that you are not saying they have to do this too. If your parents do allow you to become a vegan or vegetarian you could try to convince them to give veganism a try but if they don't want to respect their decision.
7
Offer to take care of it yourself. Learn to cook some of your own meals. If it is a hassle, tell them you will make your own school lunches, and they will only have to cook your dinner.^{[3]
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8
Get recipes. It is a good idea to make a little recipe book with ideas for meals that you can all eat together. For example:^{[4]
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- Breakfast: porridge with fruit and nuts, smoothie bowl, toast with nut butter, fruit salad or an omelette with vegetables and tempeh bacon.
- Lunch: pasta salad, roasted vegetables, sushi with avocado, carrots, cucumber etc, veggie wrap or sandwich or baked potato with salsa, corn, and beans.
- Dinner: vegetable soup, vegetable lasagna, tacos with beans, potato curry with rice or stir fry with tofu, vegetables and rice or noodles.
- Snacks: mixed berries, smoothie, carrots and hummus, nuts (walnuts, peanuts etc) or avocado toast.
9
Persevere. If they still disagree and force you to eat meat, you can either just give up and go vegan when you move out, reduce your meat intake and eat more fruits and vegetables or, if this means a lot to you, you can refuse and just eat whatever is OK for a vegan or vegetarian on your dinner plate.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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Community Q&A

Question

Are there other ways to get omega-3 besides fish and flaxseed?

Bananagal

Community Answer

Chia seeds, leafy greens, hemp seeds, walnuts, pecans, navy beans, kidney beans, edamame, winter squash, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, basil, pumpkin seeds, cauliflower, and tofu are all good plant sources of omega-3. There are also plenty of vegan-friendly omega-3 supplements available.
Question

How can I be a vegan without my parents noticing?

Community Answer

Slowly make the switch. I'm only about 80% plant-based at the moment because I'm still trying to transition without my parents knowing, but I started by switching out gummies and buttery popcorn in my lunch for an extra piece of fruit and homemade oil-popped popcorn. I also asked my mom to get almond milk for me because of the pus in cow's milk and she didn't question it at all! With that I've started doing oatmeal and smoothies for breakfast instead of cheesy, meaty omelets. If you have pasta, just don't put cheese on your serving! I know this isn't ideal, but if you don't want your parents to know, you may just have to eat some animal products every once in a while until you move out.
Question

What if I'm shy and don't know how to ask?

Community Answer

Tell yourself it's no big deal and just mention it casually:" Hey Mom/Dad, so I was thinking I might want to try being a vegan for a while. What do you think of that?" Give them and opportunity to give their input (important because your parents do buy your food and prepare your meals). It might be helpful to have an explanation thought out for why you want to make this change -- they are sure to ask.

Warnings

Although being a vegan is healthier if you don't get proper nutrients or starve yourself you will end up harming your body.

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Helpful 12 Not Helpful 0
Some people might not understand why you're doing this.

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Helpful 12 Not Helpful 2
The vitamins and tablets you may need to take could cost quite a bit.

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