Team Vegan

Join

Why am I shamed for being vegan?

2»

Replies

  • ajidllensi
    ajidllensi Posts: 71 Member
    Great to see a personal trainer on here who is veg*n!!! Bravo
  • chocolateluvr80
    chocolateluvr80 Posts: 64 Member
    Wow. I am kinda surprised you are getting so much push back. My family is used to me being weird so they all act like they think it is just a phase that I am going through. (sigh) Last Easter my sister actually asked me if I could just not be vegan for one day.

    I too spend hours cooking for special occasions and have family members rave about my recipes.

    I haven't really had that many negative reactions. There are only a few that come to mind. One time I had someone tell me that only animal protein can cross the the blood-brain barrier and that I would suffer intellectually from abstaining from animal products. All I could do was give him a WTF look. I was flabbergasted.

    I also had a trainer once that asked me where I got my protein from. I just stared at him with an "are you kidding me" expression. I eat more protein now than I ever did when I was an omni.

    My doctor didn't even have anything negative to say about it.
  • cheshirequeen
    cheshirequeen Posts: 1,324 Member
    I've been one 8 1/2 years and people around me, thankfully, just thought I was weird. They already thought that so it wasn't out of the ordinary. Here's my philosophy. I always tell people, don't judge me and shove your beliefs down my throat and I won't do the same. I could also pull out my proof and such about why I believe veganism is for your best interest, but I don't. I have told some people it's very disrespectful to talk to people like that no matter how wrong you think they are. I've also told these people why do you care, it doesn't effect you. Some people will never change and we just have to accept that. Focus on what good you are doing for yourself, your family, and the environment and animals. The worst was when I was pregnant and people thought I was a horrible mother to be because I didn't plan on eating meat through my pregnancy. Thankfully I was polite and told them my pregnancy was none of their business. I work at Whole Foods Market and could name 5 people that had healthy children, one had four, that had vegan moms and dads. I have friends that kid me, like one friend is always like, would you like, nevermind you can't and smiles. It's a long running joke from the time we met and that was 8 years ago so most people understand. Also, my 4 year old is overly active, haha, never has been sick except one time in his 4 years, tall and thin like his daddy, and loves vegetables and fruits more than pizza, ice cream, or french fries. Hang in there. Feel free to friend me.
  • cheshirequeen
    cheshirequeen Posts: 1,324 Member
    PS-My 4 year olds pediatrician is a vegetarian and she has vegan children come in all the time. She never questions his food as long as I tell her he's getting lots of vegetables and fruits, thats all she asks about, and is proud of us for raising a child that loves them more than other childhood foods. I've been told by people that it could affect my seizures too. My neurologist said, and i quote, thats a bunch of bull**** and if they want me to talk to them personally, you know my number. I love her. If doctors don't care, then tell them that they shouldn't.
  • MusicLady24
    MusicLady24 Posts: 10
    You are TOTALLY not weird, but I, too, have noticed there is a bit of a stigma associated with the vegan lifestyle. Just the other day I went out to lunch with some of my coworkers and was introduced to one of their sons (I believe he was trying to hook me up with him since he was my age).

    Everyone at the table ordered deep fried meat, french fries with sodas of some sort while I ordered a veggie plate of green bean, black-eyed peas, carrots and corn with a glass of water. Upon questioning I simply said that I try not to eat meat or dairy. One of my coworkers asked "So you're vegan, right?", and I agreed.

    Immediately the guy I had been introduced to explodes with, "OH! You're one of THOSE!", to which I couldn't help but scoff at. Really? You're clearly over 300 pounds and you're going to judge what I eat? I didn't say a thing about his double order of french fries and chicken-fried steak, and I respect his choice to feed himself whatever he wants, so I would HOPE that he could show me the same courtesy.

    Well anyway, you are definitely not alone. Keep at it, y'all! =)

    -Becca

Categories