At some point, many of us will hear our preteen or teenager say, "I don't eat meat anymore." When Elyse first made the announcement to Owen and me, we asked a lot of open-ended questions, like:
Why do you want to be a vegetarian? Are any of your friends vegetarians? Why? Have you done any research yet about being a vegetarian? What have you learned so far? What do vegetarians eat? What don’t vegetarians eat? How is that different from being vegan? Do you know what to eat to be sure you’re getting all of your nutrients? Does this decision have anything to do with wanting to lose weight? Are you concerned about what you will eat at school and when you’re with your friends? Will we need to buy or prepare special foods? How will you help us with that?
It was clear from her answers that she had really been thinking about it and was serious. As a physician, I wasn't particularly concerned about the health issues because I knew that with a little education and planning it was possible to get the necessary nutrients from a vegetarian diet.
However, to be completely honest, we were a little concerned about the inconvenience. Although we probably ate fewer animal products and more plant-based foods than many families, none of the rest of us are vegetarian. We also knew it would be a challenge for her, and frankly, we thought it would probably pass.
Owen and I discussed it privately and decided that since we are a family made up of unique individuals, each of us has a right to choose what is best for them as long as it is safe and healthy. Therefore we made the conscious decision to support her fully while giving her the responsibility for learning more about what it really meant to be a vegetarian. We also made it clear that she would have to help us with the practical side of things, including cooking, especially when the rest of us weren’t having a vegetarian meal.
Two years later she is as committed as ever and we are very proud of her. I believe her decision will have a positive affect on other aspects of her life. Although she sometimes makes difficult sacrifices, I believe she feels empowered by her ability to take responsibility for what she puts in her body.
Michelle (mom of a veggieteen)
Michelle May, M.D.
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