Vegetarian Advice: Going Veg Against Animal Cruelty

Question: Best way for teen daughter to get started going vegetarian?

My 13 year old daughter (14 in July) has announced that she wants to be a vegetarian.

She watched a very disturbing video showing the horrible treatment of animals and was brought to tears. I fully understand and agree with her feelings about animal cruelty. I want to support her decision and help ease her into this new lifestyle.

I know absolutely nothing about how to live a healthy vegetarian life. I've watched my niece, over the past year, change to vegetarian and she lost a significant amount of weight very quickly and became very moody. I expect definite changes with my daughter, but I am hoping to have them be as positive as possible.

I'm even considering joining her in this admirable, healthy choice. What is the best way to get started as a vegetarian? For safety's sake, I am open and thankful for any and all advice that you can give me. Thank you very much. - L. R.

Savvy Vegetarian Advice

Dear L. R.,

Thanks for writing. I just sent you the free report, Ten Tips for Beginning Vegetarians, and another on Vegetarian Nutrition. Between them, you should get a pretty good idea how to get started on a vegetarian diet.

I'm glad you're considering joining your daughter in going vegetarian - that would make both your lives so much easier.

One thing to keep in mind is that your daughter is growing and developing, and that makes her more vulnerable to dietary changes. The best advice I can give you, and I can't say it enough, is to go slowly and gradually. A human body can no more become vegetarian overnight than it can become a concert violinist overnight.

All The Best! Judith Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian

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