Teens speak out about going vegetarian

The following are quotes from teens who have taken the Veggie Challenge.

Thanks very much for this kick start to my vegetarian life! I loved the help and support that the Veggie Challenge gave me through the daily e-mails! All the information was so great.
– Keira, age 16-19, Mississauga, ON
From I had little support from my family until they realized I was serious, featured story from JanFeb 2007

Since taking the Veggie Challenge, I have the tools and knowledge I need to lead a healthy and nutritious vegan lifestyle.
– Laura, age 16-19, Kitchener, ON

Dealing with family

When I started the challenge, I knew that I would have to deal with my extremely meat-lovin' family who kept telling me that vegetarianism/veganism would cause my teeth to fall out, make me anorexic, or that I was dishonouring God's creations by not devouring them... however sense that much makes.
– Sidra, age 16-19, Toronto
From Dealing with my extremely meat-lovin' family, featured story from SepOct 2006

When I joined this veggie challenge, my mum was like, what?! OMG, I gotta cook veggie meals for you???? And it was kinda hard cuz my mum usually makes soup with chicken or beef to taste, and not drinking it was like, offensive.
– Christine, age 13-15, Scarborough, ON
From I think meat is nasty and disgusting, featured story from JanFeb 2007

Being a teenager, I had little support from my family, but once they realized that I did have reliable help, and that I was serious about making the change, they did start to help. All week, my dad made an effort to cook separate meals for me when I was too busy with school to cook on my own.
– Keira, age 16-19, Mississauga, ON
From I had little support from my family until they realized I was serious, featured story from JanFeb 2007

I live in a household of meat-eaters, and it can be very difficult to find food that we all will eat. Since taking the Challenge, I have set up with my family one night a week where I will prepare a vegan dinner. It isn't easy, and my family members are hesitant to try new things, but I know that making dinner will help me separate food from emotion and connect with the most important people in my life – my family.
– Laura, age 16-19, Kitchener, ON

Dealing with friends

At school one of my friends is against being a vegetarian. We have intense debates, and usually I win because being a vegetarian is the best thing ever! I'm hoping to convince him to a point where I'll be able to send him the veggie-challenge. Who knows, maybe he'll find it in his heart to not eat animals anymore.
– Maya, age 16-19, Abbotsford, BC
From School lunches without meat and intense debates, winning story from NovDec 2006

Helping the Earth

I have more confidence now, because I feel like I'm doing something good for the environment and my body.
– Devon, age 16-19
From Never too young to go vegan, featured story from Mar/Apr 2007

How the week went

Thank-you for making this challenge. It has helped me become healthy and aware of a new menu for veggie-based foods. I hope someday everyone will choose to embrace the vegetarian lifestyle.
– Maya, age 16-19, Abbotsford, BC
From School lunches without meat and intense debates, winning story from NovDec 2006

The Veggie Challenge has done more good for me, ethically, spiritually and healthwise than anything else that I can remember.
– Sidra, age 16-19, Toronto
From Dealing with my extremely meat-lovin' family, featured story from SepOct 2006

Going vegan

I thought that at my age (16), I would never be able to eat a vegan diet, because of the lack of options and difficulty with eating at social events. So I ruled it out as an option, and decided to revisit the possibility later on in my life. However, when I heard about the Veggie Challenge, I thought that it would be the perfect opportunity to experiment with veganism. It totally changed my outlook on vegan diets, and now I've decided to change my lifestyle for good. There were so many more options than I thought there would be, and I feel great! I also have more confidence now, because I feel like I'm doing something good for the environment and my body.
– Devon, age 16-19
From Never too young to go vegan, featured story from Mar/Apr 2007

Weight

I really enjoy being a vegetarian and being a vegetarian helps me to lose weight, LOL, haha. =)
– Christine, age 13-15, Scarborough, ON
From I think meat is nasty and disgusting, featured story from JanFeb 2007

Dealing with challenges

At times I was frustrated because I was hungry! By the third day, though, I had snacks like apples, oranges, grapes, and mango.
– Maya, age 16-19, Abbotsford, BC
From School lunches without meat and intense debates, winning story from NovDec 2006

The minute any non-veg craving came by, all I had to do was think of the plight of the animals that suffer for my meal and instantly, any thoughts of any cruelty would be diminished.
– Sidra, age 16-19, Toronto
From Dealing with my extremely meat-lovin' family, featured story from SepOct 2006

When I was only 13, I decided to become a vegetarian. Now, I have been a vegetarian for over 5 years, but I haven't done it properly. I simply cut meat out of my diet. I have also developed issues with food, and have been dealing with eating and emotional problems. I am not healthy, am underweight, and lack proper nutrition.
– Laura, age 16-19, Kitchener, ON
[Response: See our vegetarian nutrition page.]

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