How can I become vegan without support?

I've been trying for a couple months now but without support from my family it's been more like crash dieting. I just can't stand to eat anymore if it's hurting other things but my parents refuse to buy things like soy milk or other alternatives.

The following website has some good advice for teenagers trying to persuade their parents that they want to be vegan:

http://www.viva.org.uk/books/goingveggie...

In my view, the most important things are
(a) to prove to your parents that you've researched the topic thoroughly and know how to stay healthy. Don't try to be vegan if you really can't get access to protein- and vitamin- sources you need. If you try to just eat what your family eat minus the animal products and half-starve yourself you will probably get ill, which will only convince them even more that veganism is unhealthy and irresponsible.
(b) to make it clear to your parents that you don't expect them to pay extra money or do extra work just so you can be vegan. Have you offered to pay for things like soya milk yourself? And to cook your own meals, rather than expecting your mum to do extra work?

Good luck.

My family were very rude and sceptical when I became a vegan (even though I was in my 30s, so they couldn't stop me and had no real right to tell me what I could or could or could not eat!) but that soon stopped when they saw I was serious and realised that I was eating nutritious and tasty meals. Now thy keep stealing my food!

First of all, you have support here if that helps.

Does your school have a dietician that can help you talk to your Parents?
Your biggest obstacle is getting them on board, but once you do that then you should be home free.

You might want to make a list of all the foods they provide and all the reasons why you don鈥檛 want to ingest that into your body.

For example, if they want you to eat beef you could point out that eating beef you not only expose yourself to ecoli and all the various other diseases the meat picks up in the processing plants, but you are also eating stray dogs and cats.

Not a lot of people know that the stray dogs and cats that the shelters can鈥檛 find homes for end up in cattle feed. Los Angeles is the largest producer of cattle feed protein in the form of our strays. Do a quick Yahoo Search, but don鈥檛 do it after you have eaten.

I think if you can show them how you will get all the nutrition you require to grow happy and healthy, with out being an added financial burden they will have no argument left.

having support makes all the difference in the world when youre doing something like going vegan. since it sounds like youre having problems getting the food you need to be healthy you should talk to your parents. ask them what they dont like about it, see what it is that they have problems with. a lot of people are resistant to change, especially when its something they dont understand. explain to them why you want to make this change, and how it doesnt have to be an inconvenience to them. make sure you show them youll be able to get all the nutrients your body needs - that seems to be the biggest worry of parents. if theyre still hesitant, ask them to help you research it. explain why it means so much to you. but whatever you do, dont crash diet. not only is it bad for your body, it will also show your parents that veg*ns are unhealthy and cant eat anything, which is not even close to the truth. one way you can show youre parents youre serious about this is by learning to cook. volunteer to cook a vegan side dish or two for dinner. if nothing else, it will ensure that you get what you need to stay healthy. good luck!

Im a vegetarian in the 10th grade and people think Im crazy, and the other kids ask ALOT of questions and my friends help me and care about the way I feel, but I love animals and I didnt get any support exept from my best friends and the subway lady, but I feel that you dont need it because Im going on a year and I started out like you. People just dont understand us animal people.

Support in doing anything is nice, but when it comes down to it you should be doing things for yourself. If you want something badly enough, you'll do it on your own.