Guest guest Posted September 21, 2002 Report Share Posted September 21, 2002 I've been vegan for a while now and felt very strongly to stick by it. My parents are vegetarian, but don't feel it's needed to rule out milk and dairy. That's there opinion, but now they're saying they don't approve of me going vegan for health reasons and are trying to keep me to stay on dairy. I try to tell them that dairy isn't even suppose to be part of the human diet, and explain how the dairy cows are still treated as poorly as meat cows, but they don't seem to listen. I'm on my last nerve with them, does anyone have any advice? ~Catalina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2002 Report Share Posted September 21, 2002 Hi Catalina Sorry to hear of your worries. How old are you - I mean are you very young? Anyway, get some decent information, either a book on vegan nutrition, and maybe a vegan cookbook, or you could download some information from a vegan website, and show it to your parents to put their minds at rest. They are just worried about you, but if you show them enough information they will hopefully come to realise that dairy and eggs are not necessary to life. Also it is a good idea to eat really sensibly so that they can see you are being nourished properly. Make sure you eat foods enriched with vitamin B12 so that you protect your heart and nerves. Basically, gather as much information as you can, and use it so that you stay fit and healthy, and that way you can prove your point. Also, let them know that it means a lot to you and that it is also an ethical choice. Ask them to respect your choice. Good luck, and peace of mind to your parents. Jo > I've been vegan for a while now and felt very strongly to stick by > it. My parents are vegetarian, but don't feel it's needed to rule out > milk and dairy. That's there opinion, but now they're saying they > don't approve of me going vegan for health reasons and are trying to > keep me to stay on dairy. I try to tell them that dairy isn't even > suppose to be part of the human diet, and explain how the dairy cows > are still treated as poorly as meat cows, but they don't seem to > listen. I'm on my last nerve with them, does anyone have any advice? --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.386 / Virus Database: 218 - Release 09/09/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2002 Report Share Posted September 21, 2002 Hmm Hiya Catalina! Sounds like they are in denial,probably because they feel they have a lack of choice through being unaware of options available,and dairy- free alternatives 'sound' more expensive!But you can make your own,very easily for a few pence! Health matters such as what dairy products do to internal organs and arterial system are a consideration. The facts behind 'abuse' in the dairy industry are self evident!But its like saying we should 'fight more wars' simply because we've always done it(which isn't strictly true). Hmm its down to personal choice,but if you can 'enjoy' some of the alternatives whilst around them,people 'always' like to get involved in 'enjoyable' things. Good luck! Jak %) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2002 Report Share Posted September 21, 2002 I'm a brand new vegan who struggles with similar issues. I wonder how old you are? Unfortunately, for parents, if you are under their control in their house, sometimes these issues become issues of control and not simply dietary choice. Can you make an agreement with them that if they allow you to follow the diet dictates of your conscious, you will without complaint see your family doctor in a specified amount of time, say, 3 months, and have the doctor assess you for any problems that your parents might fear? In return, your parents would agree that if the doctor says things are great, then they would need to back off on the dietary demands. Trusted family doctors have a way of easing the gap between generations. If your family doctor is not comfortable for you, perhaps there is another health professional you would trust? Finally, I would look at other areas of my relationship with my parents. Often, diet becomes an " issue " of confrontation when more serious problems may exist. I am not saying this is true in your case. It's just important that we make sure that this issue of diet is not a smaller symptom of an overall relationship conflict. You sound like a well-balanced individual who knows what she wants and can work this out. Peace, Cynthia Catalina [ne0ngumm1bar3] Saturday, September 21, 2002 6:20 AM Struggling to stay vegan I've been vegan for a while now and felt very strongly to stick by it. My parents are vegetarian, but don't feel it's needed to rule out milk and dairy. That's there opinion, but now they're saying they don't approve of me going vegan for health reasons and are trying to keep me to stay on dairy. I try to tell them that dairy isn't even suppose to be part of the human diet, and explain how the dairy cows are still treated as poorly as meat cows, but they don't seem to listen. I'm on my last nerve with them, does anyone have any advice? ~Catalina To send an email to - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2002 Report Share Posted September 21, 2002 ah well go slow i would say...stick with yer confictions.... there is no reason at all why you need dairy, since you aren't a calf(i'm assuming you aren't a calf, are you?? wow, if you are, kewl, a cow who can type....and in English!!, unless yer using a translator program..moo moooo) anywho...like i said, ask yer parents wot they think you need? gather yer facts together and tell em you don't need anything from an animal...you can get everything from a pure veg diet except maybe b12, and the verdict is still out on that, and besides, b12 is supplimented in everything from tofu to soy milk to grape nuts fer bacchus sake good luck, go slow, and educate thyself.... cheers fraggle " Catalina " <ne0ngumm1bar3 wrote: >I've been vegan for a while now and felt very strongly to stick by >it. My parents are vegetarian, but don't feel it's needed to rule out >milk and dairy. That's there opinion, but now they're saying they >don't approve of me going vegan for health reasons and are trying to >keep me to stay on dairy. I try to tell them that dairy isn't even >suppose to be part of the human diet, and explain how the dairy cows >are still treated as poorly as meat cows, but they don't seem to >listen. I'm on my last nerve with them, does anyone have any advice? > >~Catalina > > > > >To send an email to - > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2002 Report Share Posted September 23, 2002 Catalina, First of all congratulations! Not only for going one step further in your research, but for sticking to what you believe in. It is not always an easy thing to do. If your parents are veggies, than there must be some reason so. Something they found out about meat etc. Was it the abuse or the fact it is unhealthy? Either way, research dairy either in the library or on the net or both and bring them back some facts. Show them what you have found out to turn you away. And maybe they can gain a greater understanding. Is it calcium they are worried about? Research foods too and find your favorites that are calcium enriched. For instance, a cup of broccoli contains more calcium than a cup of milk. So if you like broccoli, you are set. Maybe if you show them how you plan to offset the nutrients you were getting from the milk, they be a little more reassured. And whatever the end result, remember they are only doing it out of love for you. Good luck, nikki , " Catalina " <ne0ngumm1bar3> wrote: > I've been vegan for a while now and felt very strongly to stick by > it. My parents are vegetarian, but don't feel it's needed to rule out > milk and dairy. That's there opinion, but now they're saying they > don't approve of me going vegan for health reasons and are trying to > keep me to stay on dairy. I try to tell them that dairy isn't even > suppose to be part of the human diet, and explain how the dairy cows > are still treated as poorly as meat cows, but they don't seem to > listen. I'm on my last nerve with them, does anyone have any advice? > > ~Catalina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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