I've tried being a vegetarian 3 times in the past. This is my fourth stab at it. I live with my grandparents and almost every meal they eat has meat in it. Its pretty much one of the main foods in the house. Hotdogs, pork, beef, chicken <-- lots of chicken, ect. There is not much room in our pantry for me to put my own foods and same with the fridge. I do have a freezer I can use but other than that, nothing. At least until I get my own place.
Any advice on how to stay vegetarian when I'm surrounded by meat? My fiance also wants to go vegetarian, but we don't live together yet.
(Oh and might I mention, I use vegetarian as a broad term. We still eat seafood, but I can't remember what the term is for that. If someone could let me know, I can start using that instead of vegetarian. And as for the seafood, we don't eat a lot of it. Maybe 2-3 times a week.


I believe the term is pescitarian (sp?)
I was weary about being vegetarian in my house at the time due to the fact meat was a staple in our family diet. However, it was a lot easier than I thought. If your grandparents are ok w/it, when meals are made have some set aside w/no meat (i.e. if they put meat in their chili, have a separate pot w/no meat, for tacos/burritos use refried beans instead of beef, etc...) You can even cook yummy vegetarian meals that you all enjoy. For storage of food, rice, beans, pasta & veggies don't really take up much room and you can make a large variety of dishes w/those that satisfy the palate of any diet. You can make food in bulk and freeze it. When meals are made that have meat, eat the side dishes and avoid the meat.
If it's something you're really passionate about, you'll find a way, just do the best you can w/what you have, get as much info on the subject as you can & be healthy!


Hello Jay! Do you want to be a vegetarian or are you happy eating fishes (being pescetarian) as well?
How old are you? Are you planning on moving out soon? If you are going to live with your family and they aren't very supportive of your diet, try to look for as many things as possible that you all can eat. If you are all eating fishes 2-3 times a week, that leaves only 4-5 other days to worry about, right? Making it easy for them will make it easier for them to adapt to your recent changes.


1714198)
If it's something you're really passionate about, you'll find a way, just do the best you can w/what you have, get as much info on the subject as you can & be healthy! *applause*
Nicely said, MZCsmpsns. :)


I am primarily a pescetarian (I love seafood) but I wouldn't mind switching to an all vegetarian diet. My fiance is a little more hesitant. He loves his shrimp, calamari, and fish. I like seafood too, but because I don't eat it at home as often (I eat seafood with him, not my family. They mostly eat red meat, chicken, and pork), I don't feel a need for it. I would like to go completely vegetarian eventually, but I'm taking baby steps. I want to get over the hurdle of the other meats first.
I am 20 years old and I hope to move out by Spring. I also have the problem of where I work. Its not that we don't have vegetarian friendly things, its just that anything we do have is unhealthy anyway. (Cakes, cookies, cheesecake) I tend to eat a lot there because I can get it cheap and its convenient.


well, first things first, i would look at what is in the pantry/house that is already vegetarian.
from there, look up some recipes that work with these common vegetarian foods. you'll probably find a lot of vegetables, fruits, grains, and beans in the pantry/fridge.
talk to your grandparents about iincluding greater amounts or more variety of the foods that they commonly already buy that are vegetarian. in some cases, it might be an easy switch--one can of meat-based soup for a can of vegetarian soup.
the bottom line is, you're not really asking for anything radical. it's just a subtle change in what they are already doing/providing. you don't need "vegetarian foods" (meaning boxed, prepared vegetarian foods) to be vegetarian. the normal staples will do: pasta and sauce, beans and grains, bread and nut butters and jellies, fruit and veggies (fresh and frozen), soups (home made or canned/boxed, or stock to make home made easy), eggs and dairy (i assume you're still doign these and they're still using these too?), and then add fish if they don't consume fish/seafood already.
as for work, bring your own foods in. get into the habit of making food the nite before and/or packing a lunch and snacks for yourself. it will save a lot of trouble. :)


Well, just don't be discouraged about not making it work in the past.
I tried twice before I was successful at being veg. Now, I'm going on a year in a few days, so it'll work out.
Maybe try to eat at a different time than everyone else who is eating meat. Try not to look at it either.


I live with my parents and they ARE NOT supportive of my decision to become a vegetarian, they don't beleive I am actually going to do it and they refuse to buy different food for me just because I'm "going through a new phase" I am currently between jobs so the things I can eat are limited (say hi to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) hopefully I won't cave under the pressure :sweat:


1715403) I live with my parents and they ARE NOT supportive of my decision to become a vegetarian, they don't beleive I am actually going to do it and they refuse to buy different food for me just because I'm "going through a new phase" I am currently between jobs so the things I can eat are limited (say hi to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) hopefully I won't cave under the pressure :sweat: Really?
My mom used to be like that, but only because she was afraid I would die since I don't know anything about nutrition, which was true. And also because I was very very very skinny already.
But now that I'm older, she's very supportive because she thinks I know better now. and that being veg now would be beneficial for me.
Strange how that flips.