Wile we were shopping DD saw some cow hide rugs and was instantly disgusted. She walked around the shops the whole time saying they shouldn't be allowed to do that to cows. Silly me told her that we'd probably eaten the meat from the cows. Now she's told us she is vegetarian and flat out refuses to eat meat of any kind and even eggs because she can't get the image of these cow hide rugs out of her mind.
I can't figure out whether this is just a phase that she'll eventually get out of, I know lots of teen girls who go/have gone through vegetarian phases but DD seems quite determined not to eat meat ever again. Do I nurture it and make her vego meals or just dish her up meat and hope she eats it? I don't want to force it down her throat or anythign lol.
Also if she is serious what do I supplement for meat to give her all the iron etc that she needs while she's growing?
Hard to say b/c there could be an underlying issue with food in general. Does she seem concerned about her body image at all? I am only asking as this could be a way to eat less food.....happened to my gf sister and she unfortunately battles bulimia. Otherwise, it could be what a close friend of her believes and she is being influenced somewhat or maybe it truly grosses her out..... I would nuture the vego but take her to the Dr's for some advice in relation to the iron and other vitamin deficiencies she may experience.
Last edited by RhiChiChi; September 16th, 2010 at 07:31 AM.
: spelling
No she has no issue with her body image, she was truely grossed out by the cow rugs. She hasn't stopped saying how disgusting they are and worrying about the 'poor cows' since we saw them.
Ok so I turned veg at 15 and stayed veg until 18, moved out of home ate meat again and then went veg again at 21 and have been for 17 years So it could be a phase, it might not though. My mum took me to a dietitian and made me understand what I needed to eat for a balanced diet, then she would cook veg for me but I needed to cook veg meals for the entire family twice a week. If I kept this up then she would support me. Funnily enough my mum is now veg too
My reasons had nothing to do with body image - more to do with empathy and humanitarianism - so she could be just a caring, wonderful girl
I also was discusted by meat at 13, I saw one of those PETA videos and swore to never eat meat again. But when I moved out of home I realised I needed it so I just started eating it again.
So it could be a phase!
I think teenagers have the "realisation" if that makes sense. My younger SIL went through similar stuff when she was a teen, but it didn't last. Whereas my kids godfather had the realisation as a teen and is still a strict vegetarian and animal rights activist to this day. So it really depends on the person.
Just make sure whatever you do that everyone respects her for her decision, vegie angst as... when vegetarians/vegans are mocked for their choices can lead to the assumption that all meat eaters are this obnoxious or naive. And it creates an unnecessary division. I know for my kids godfather he suffered a lot of flack for his choices from friends and family and it kind of tainted his view of those who ate meat. But he's fine now and I guess it is a lot more socially respected than it was 20 odd years ago.
Is it just a phase girls go through?
Reply With Quote
So it could be a phase, it might not though. My mum took me to a dietitian and made me understand what I needed to eat for a balanced diet, then she would cook veg for me but I needed to cook veg meals for the entire family twice a week. If I kept this up then she would support me. Funnily enough my mum is now veg too 
Bookmarks