Talking to your parents If you decide to go veggie it is important to get your parents on your side. Some parents genuinely don’t understand why a person would go veggie, they may also be worried about vitamins and minerals. As your decision to go veggie will affect shopping, cooking, washing up etc, make sure they are clear why you want to change your diet. Many parents will have genuine fears about your health when you turn veggie or vegan. This is a natural reaction, your parents may have been brought up on a meat–based diet. They were raised at a time when vegetarianism was a minority interest. Culturally, beliefs centred around meat for protein and strength. Hence the traditional meal of meat and two veg. However, traditions are changing. Curry, once barely heard of, is now one of Britain’s most popular dishes. Not only have our tastes changed, attitudes towards nutrition have also changed. We understand more about nutrition and the importance of vegetables in our daily diet. Personal health may have been the reason you turned veggie. Whatever your motivations are, if you want to take vegetarianism seriously you have to get your parents on your side. This does not mean turning them into vegetarians, rather allowing them to understand why you have made that decision. Mealtimes should be a pleasant experience, a time to catch up with what your family have been up to. Well, possibly a time to slob in front of the television. The following are top tips on how to help your parents understand why you have gone veggie. When you tell them they may be resistant. Reassure them. Every essential nutrient is available from a vegetarian diet. A vegan diet does not contain B12, however, fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and soya milk should provide a sufficient amount. The Vegetarian Society has produced extensive information sheets on nutrition. These are available free to members. Be clear as to the reasons why you have gone veggie. Write them down — it helps to see them in black and white. Don’t worry too much if they ask questions you don’t know the answer to. Simply contact the Society and we will try and help you out. Your parents may think that you are passing through a phase. It is up to you to prove they are wrong. You may hear the old one that vegetarian food is more expensive than meat. Well some pre–cooked dinners are expensive, but no more expensive than meat pre–cooked dinners. Cooking vegetarian dishes from base ingredients is generally cheaper than meat dishes. When it comes to the preparation of food always help out. Don’t give the cook extra work. That is a recipe for disaster. Remind your family how many dishes they have that are vegetarian, eg cheese and tomato pizza, beans on toast, jacket potatoes, veg curry, tomato soup, pasta, rice, not to mention all the fruit and veg they eat at meal times. If you haven’t got a good cook book, get one. Here at VegSoc we have got loads of cook books for sale, or, visit your local library. Vegetarians (happy, healthy and active ones) have been around for thousands of years. Vegetarianism is also supported by the British Medical Association. Parents can contact the Society directly and we will be happy to answer any questions they may have. Becoming a vegetarian is like going on a journey, discovering new taste sensations. Share that journey with your family. On a lighter note, if your food is cooked in separate dishes, do the washing up!