Alex Connell, The Vegetarian Society’s youth education officer, commented:

“Sally’s reaction to Rosie’s decision to stop eating animals is bound to cause enormous upset and family rows. The emotional consequences could turn ‘food’ into an emotional battleground between mother and daughter, which could potentially damage Rosie’s relationship with eating - raising long term issues for her mental and physical health. She may not agree with it, but Sally would be well advised to respect and support her daughter’s decision, thus ensuring that mealtimes do not become associated with distress and anger.”

A well-balanced vegetarian diet is known to meet the recommended guidelines for a balance of good health, and can also confer a number of long term health benefits.

Anxious parents and newly-vegetarian teenagers will find reassurance, nutritional guidance, and advice on coping in the kitchen when a family member decides to go veggie, in The Vegetarian Society’s free ‘Parent and Teen Guide to Vegetarianism’. Call 0161 925 2000 for a copy.

Notes for editors