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Constant Criticism of Vegetarianism
Greetings Vega Community,
First off, Id like to say this is a great site with tons of interesting discussions and helpful information.
Lately Ive had a lot of people on my back for changing my diet to not include eating animals. It seems like everyone who brings it up has to criticize what Im doing and people get very insulted that I dont eat the same way as them.
Its as if Ive just put down their religion.
I get all the normal questions like where do you get your protein and arent you sick all the time.
No Im not sick all the time actually, Im the healthiest Ive ever been in my life these past six months since I became vegetarian.
What I AM sick of is people being so nosy and trying to give ME lectures on nutrition, when later on they go swing by McDonalds later and get a big mac.
I just try to avoid the topic with people completely try not to argue, its like talking to a brick wall with most people.
So my question for the Vega Community: How do you deal with this seemingly endless constant hostility towards your dietary choices?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by cecilydo60 on -
Hey, Brent.
Mostly my family looks at me like I'm nuts, but so far they haven't said much. On the other hand, I haven't really talked about my eating preferences; I just order veganish when we go out. My husband probably thinks my veganism is a symptom of the general flakiness of most girls. (He's a great guy, but girls baffle him--we've only been married 25 years!) The only person who mentioned protein (and vitamin B12 and other vitamins) was my doc; his only advice was to supplement the vitamins and to drink a protein shake 4-5 times per week if I thought my protein intake was a bit low. Other than to use "common sense" on my eating, my doc thought my eating choices were just fine.
I have had to deal with the kind of "destructive criticism" on other issues, however. My response has always been to smile and thank them for their advice and concern. In this situation, insincerity seems to work better than reason.
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Permalink Reply by AKT on
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I just tell them that eating meat gives me diarrhoea. That usually shuts them up.
:)
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Permalink Reply by Allison C Holms on -
People criticize what they don't understand. Educate them on why YOU made this decision, and why its the best for YOU. I like to make myself a non-preachy vegan. I made this decision for me. Yes, I would prefer if others didnt eat meat, but that is their decision. I can only control my own decisions.I usually tell people that before I was vegan, I was constantly sick (literally.. I dont think longer than a few days would pass that I wouldnt be sick, getting sick, or getting over being sick and it would always end up in bronchitis), depressed, low energy and constantly battling my weight. Since going vegan, I have maybe been sick once in the last 3 years. I currently have a 2 month old son and was told OVER AND OVER again during my pregnancy that I would be anemic, that my morning sickness was DUE to the fact that "my baby wanted meat", that it was selfish of me to stay vegan when there is a baby to think about. My husband was my biggest supporter, which meant a lot. He and I both know that my diet was the best I could give my son, full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, whole foods, plenty of healthy sources of fats, and a complete lack of anything processed, refined, or full of miscellaneous chemicals, hormones, and pesticides. It did annoy me that I feel I got more flack being a pregnant vegan, than a "typical" pregnant woman who binges on anything and everything under the sun without being mindful of the fact that they are feeding their child the same thing they are eating. Also, in contrary to what everyone PROMISED me I would feel, I NEVER EVER once craved meat while I was pregnant. Watermelon- yes, Salad- yes, dead decaying carcas-NO. In fact I was extra repulsed to the smell of meat and could not stomach anyone cooking meat around me. Other than morning sickness, I never got one cold, flu and had tons of energy during my pregnancy. My blood test came up spotless and actually came up in the upper end of the iron levels! Better than most "meat eaters". I never had any sort of issues with my blood sugar. I gained a very healthy amount of weight and had a beautiful 7#1ounce baby at 38 weeks. I recovered quickly from my pregnancy and have lost all but 5 pounds in the first 6 weeks. I credit my diet for a lot of this.
So the next time someone criticizes you for your diet, tell them your experience and why YOU have made this decision. I usually tell people "I eat this way because it is what works best for me. " If they still argue with you tell them "Im sorry you feel that way." and leave it at that.
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Permalink Reply by Leigh Jones on -
It's all in your confidence level and delivery. I don't advertise my vegetarianism since it isn't anyone's business but, when people find out and question me, I give them a brief explanation and try to move on. I typically get the standard questions like "don't you miss meat?", "do you eat chicken?", "what about fish?" I always make it clear that it is my choice and I understand that others don't feel the same. Keep in mind, I live in a small town in Texas that is an extremely unenlightened place to live. I am always nice and answer any questions that people throw my way, but when it comes down to it, I don't care what people think!
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Permalink Reply by Richard St-Onge on -
I've been vegetarian for nearly 2 years now. I don't mind the "right" questions like; "where do you get so and so nutrients?" "Do you just live off fruits and veggies?" "was it for health or political reasons?" and so forth.
I do get razzed by some friends and co-workers, but it's no different than being taunted in the locker room before hitting the ice or court. I brush off the bad and retaliate on the nonsense when I get my chance ;)
Don't sweat it man. YOU made a choice cause YOU felt the need to. What others think of it is of no concern to you. Enjoy the ride and have fun :)
Rich
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Permalink Reply by Brett Mammel on -
I guess I just get a little extra flack because I am working towards my Red Seal in Culinary Arts and its a predominantly carnivorous profession. Hopefully, some day that wont be the case. You can only take so much of people shoving duck in your face trying to make you eat it before you get pissed off you know what I mean??
People are just very hostile towards things they dont understand. Ill keep toughing it out, maybe I can even convince some people at work to try it out and see for themselves that Im not just spouting BS.
Thanks for the responses everyone
Richard St-Onge said:I've been vegetarian for nearly 2 years now. I don't mind the "right" questions like; "where do you get so and so nutrients?" "Do you just live off fruits and veggies?" "was it for health or political reasons?" and so forth.
I do get razzed by some friends and co-workers, but it's no different than being taunted in the locker room before hitting the ice or court. I brush off the bad and retaliate on the nonsense when I get my chance ;)
Don't sweat it man. YOU made a choice cause YOU felt the need to. What others think of it is of no concern to you. Enjoy the ride and have fun :)
Rich
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Permalink Reply by Heather on -
After a while you just get used to it. How I handle it usually depends on my mood and who I'm talking too. If I catch a cold then "it's because you don't eat meat". I had one person look at me and say "you're vegan? how's that working for you?" I said " I'm not fat so it must be working out well for me"
I actually think people automatically feel like non-meaters are judging them s it makes them self conscious on some level. If someone wants to have a real conversation about it I'm open to that, but I won't talk with someone who is combative.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Bangel on
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Protein is the most over rated nutrition line of BS that we are fed, don't believe the hype on that crap. you can get more and better protein from seitan than a steak.
Who cares what other people think. BE your own man. The problem with all of that is if you choose to open up to people about your life and it happens to be unique and interesting you will face criticism.
This will happen no matter what you do, if you're a "vegan" people will criticize you for cooking food, if you're "raw vegan" people will be critical if you eat too much fat or honey. If you are "low-fat raw vegan" they won't like you if you get your cat declawed. Let them be critical and synical of you if they wish, just smile and nod but take pride in the fact that you are not critical of them.
If they aren't open to your life and you are cool with their choices who does it speak more to? You or them?
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Permalink Reply by Aaron Johnston on -
Yes, Well said, Michael. I also agree with what you said, Heather. Meat eaters see being vegetarian/vegan as an attack on them. They think we think we're better than them ;)
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