Why don’t you ask them why they support vegetarianism but not veganism. Ask them what difference it makes to them. That usually helps them to get thinking of what they think/believe.
Also, can you show that you can cook for yourself? Like beans, pasta, rice, stirfries, etc.? You can google a ton of recipes Best wishes to you! <3

@EmilySeay my apologies. I read nomeatnodairynoproblem’s post and didn’t find it rude, but mistook VeganCaramel’s as snarky. Apologies to you VeganCaramel for seeing your comment as such

If you have an I-pod touch, I-phone, or I-pad (something like that) you should check out an app called ‘Vegman’. You put in your location and it gives you vegetarian and vegan restaurants in your area. But it’s not a big deal if you can’t find veggie restaurants in your area, almost every restaurant these days will have a few things you can veganize. As for the grocery store- there are sooo many options that are vegan ! Fruits, Veggies, Tofu, Beans, Grains, the list goes on and on ! Just know what to look out for in foods and your good to go ! Being a vegan doesn’t mean that you have to eat Tofurky and fancy vegan foods. When I first became a vegan I didn’t have faux cheese, Tofurky (didn’t even know about that when I was a vegetarian!) and all of that other stuff for at least 7 months. I think it’s a lot more beneficial to stick to fresh stuff when ever possible As for your parents, educate them about veganism! To be honest, my parents didn’t want me to become a vegan, but I did anyways. Just go for it ! Eventually they’ll get used to it and possibly even support it ! Best of luck !

Yes I was. @peacelovepie

@peppermintcherry Um, pretty sure she was talking to nomeatnodairynoproblem. Right?

@EmilySeay I don’t think VeganCaramel was trying to be rude, she’s just pointing out the very obvious. Seriously, you do not NEED faux burgers, chik’n, ‘cheese’ or even tofu. All you need is veggies, fruit and grains. When I first went vegetarian, I didn’t have any vegetarian meat until I was about 4 or 5 months into. And even after that I *hardly* ate any of that stuff.

You really don’t need to be rude. I do realize that, and that’s what I have been doing. People just keep telling me to find vegan ones, so that’s why I put that.

“also not a lot of options at the grocery store.”
Your grocery store doesn’t have fruits and vegetables? That’s a little hard to believe!

There is an unusually large number of people on this forum concerned about the difficulty of finding vegan restaurants.
Are there really that many people dependent on eating at restaurants?
And are there really that many people who are unwilling to choose a vegan item from the menu at a non-vegan restaurant, or request a slightly modified version of a non-vegan item on the menu?

You can make lots of vegan dishes without the use of vegan alternatives to meat, cheese, and dairy! I live in an area with little selection as well. You can find recipes with Google and peta2 also has a great selection of recipes here on the website at: http://www.peta2.com/recipes/

Here’s a great guide to vegan grocery shopping, to give you some ideas: http://www.peta2.com/lifestyle/guide-to-vegan-grocery-shopping/

and here’s some things you can have your parents explore to help them learn more about veganism: http://pcrm.org/
http://www.meat.org/

Subway you can get veggie delights, Ruby Tuesday has veggie burgers, etc. You may have to be more creative and do more cooking, but it isn’t impossible. If your parents are worried about your health tell them veganism is super healthy. It lowers your chance of cholesterol issues, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, etc. Also it helps animals and the environment. Print out a vegan food pyramid and show them that you can still get all your nutrients. The only thing you may have to worry about is a B12 supplement which you can get from a health store or get some nutritional yeast. Feel free to ask any questions.

Since there aren’t a lot of options at your grocery store, you could always stick with some basics- beans, rice, veggies (I buy them frozen in bulk, easier for me) and some other things that are not pre-made vegan food. As for your parents, maybe collect some facts about how it will also help with your stomach as well as animals and maybe sit them down or talk over dinner about it. If they still aren’t very open to the idea, try to get them to let you do just a week of veganism so they can see how it affects you, as well as them. Good luck!

Whoops *they *I

After being a vegetarian for half a year, I really want to become a vegan. I have a lactose problem, so becoming a vegan won’t just save animals it will help my stomach. But, there isn’t any vegan or even vegetarian restaurants in my area, also not a lot of options at the grocery store. And after all of those things holding me back, my parents don’t support it. They don’t seem to understand the point of veganism. The support me being a vegetarian, but not a vegan. I’m a sophomore in high school so I will be out of the house in three years, and that’s when I will successfully become one and it won’t held back. But, I really would love to get a head start. Do any of you have tips or ways to convince my parents? Thanks xo