[Switch]

So, I haven't been teased the way I feel like I am now since I was in grade school. I recently have been making the diet transition to eating vegan, and both my mom (transitioning to vegetarian) and my fiancé (supporting me by also eating mostly vegan foods) have been wonderful in their support, but I feel like they're the only ones.

My friends and sister are all being ruthless telling me theirs no point, that it's bad for me, that I am deluded and that all my reasons for doing this are complete bs. For a while this threw me into a lot of in-depth research but now I'm too exhausted and depressed to even eat anything.

I don't understand. I feel like I'm in middle school again.

[MotownJohnny]

I would say they are projecting their own issues to some extent, possibly insecure about the quality of their own diets, how healthy it is for them. You have made a rational decision based on facts and knowledge to eat in a certain way in order to improve your health, perhaps for moral reasons as well, if they don't support you it is a measure of their ignorance. Hard to,do, but you mustn't let them get to you. I personally commend you, it is something I think long-term we as a species will need to do, by and large, because our current system of food production is unsustainable, and our patterns of consumption are killing us with obesity, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's. I know I have not been able to commit to it, it is a tough transition I hear, they should be applauding you instead of criticizing.

[hvert]

I think diets are almost like politics and religion, sure to cause arguments if they are brought up. If you keep quiet about what they eat, you can demand that they show you the same courtesy. I had some relatives that liked/like to bait me. Once they saw that I wasn't interested in debating, they stopped. I hope your relatives get over it and leave you alone. If not, you could always threaten to get factory farming photos to share with them while they are eating

[-jimi-]

I agree, diet unless you follow the latest fad, people will hate on. When I quit my sugar addiction but plain cutting out refined sugar, people actually yelled at me for not eating their cake. And while I was not looking, they dosed my tea with sugar to see if I'd notice! Also they claimed no sugar added and served me stuff loaded with sugar.

I think any diet change might upset people to become rabid and sadistic because they have to face their own emotions about eating.

I've NEVER judged anyone else's diet so I don't know why they felt I should be squished and put in place.

Oh, and when I was young I was vegetarian for a while, not strict vegan or anything, still people dosed me with meat claiming it was meat free.

[glok]

Hello, Switch. Why do you take their abuse?

Being assertive: Reduce stress, communicate better - Mayo Clinic

[unaluna]

Just tell them you dont like for your poop to stink up the house. Meat farts are the worst - Thats MY research! they cant argue with that!

[possum220]

You can eat what ever you want to. If anyone teases you it's them that has the problem. You don't have to apologize for anything. Treat your body well. Vegan food can be very tasty. Make a stand for yourself. You will soon find out who your friends are.

[-jimi-]

Originally Posted by glok

Hello, Switch. Why do you take their abuse?

They didn't say they take abuse. They expressed being puzzled and surprised about people's behavior (or something like that).

I never ever took abuse about my eating but still I had my WOAH moments with people.

[elevatedsoul]

i was vegetarian for a year or so, went through the same thing with family putting me down because of my decision not to eat meats

i did everything i could in my power to ignore them until i couldnt take it anymore and just went back to alcohol and beef (it got to the point where i didn't feel like eating at all also, thus the breaking point and giving up)

i wish that i could go back to vegetarian diet but its difficult with no support or money of my own to feed myself

i dont know why some people think its ok to make fun of people who choose different diets, like the others mentioned; it probably makes them self conscious about their own eating habits

hang in there

Sounds like they are stating their opinion. They are allowed to have their opinion. And you are allowed to have your opinion.

I do not see the problem.

[Perna]

I would not eat around my friends and sister, not discuss the subject. If someone's comments are upsetting to you, make a note and refuse to discuss that subject with them. Put them on mental "ignore" :-)

[-jimi-]

Originally Posted by Useless Me

Sounds like they are stating their opinion. They are allowed to have their opinion. And you are allowed to have your opinion.

I do not see the problem.

I do. If I started to state MY opinion about people right and left, they would probably beat me with a stick. LOL.

[ChipperMonkey]

This is one of my hot buttons......people commenting on the foods I eat. I am not vegan, rather gluten-free with a slew of other random food allergies and sensitivities that make eating out nearly impossible and eating at a friends house out of the question. I don't understand why anyone feels the need to comment on what another person eats. If someone pushes my buttons too much about my diet, I do snap on them, because in the end, what they are doing is rude, and I have no qualms about putting them in their place. This may sound mean, but to be honest, I have had it, and I keep most of my frustrations inside regarding my severely restricted diet as I try to adapt to this "new" way of eating.

Originally Posted by ChipperMonkey

....what they are doing is rude, .....

Absolutely correct. But they do have their right to their opinions. Unfortunately few people have learned how to keep their opinions to themselves (myself included).

[nummy]

Why is what you eat any of their business? Just keep reminding them of that. You might want to remind them that if what you eat is up for discussion, so is theirs.

I've done vegan, didn't work out for me, am on a ketogenic diet (for my depressive bipolar), and the first week I told a coworker, feeling self conscious after my snacking habits changed, he brought cookies in and left them where I could see them all night. Lol. Hoping just coincidence. I don't preach my diet, I just tell them it makes me feel better. Then I change the subject to them. People learn quickly not to bug me on the subject, when and if it gets raised.

[Switch]

Thanks goys for the support! It's been a really hard past week (starting to quit smoking, and starting DBT) and when I came back and read through all of these it really made me smile and feel stronger within myself.

Most of the people who are saying stuff are not strangers (although my prof commented after my last exam when everyone was at the bar together and I wasn't eating, and he got all the people at the table either asking questions like "so what CAN you eat?" and telling me all of the nutrients I am missing and what supplements I should be taking), but most of the people are friends who come over for dinner every week... and my sister but I think I learned how to tune her out years ago. They're coming over on Sunday and I'm still trying to figure out how to feed everyone, since 2 of them don't eat ANY vegetables if they can help it.

I've been really good about keeping my comments to myself about other peoples food choices, because I remember when an old friend of mine became vegan years ago and it almost broke our friendship because she couldn't stop pushing it on me. I haven't commented on anyone (exempt my mom)'s eating habits. But still people are trying to "educate me" on all of the terrible ways I am hurting myself but cutting out animal based foods.

I am slowly getting better at tuning them out, since reasoning with them from a scientific stand point does not work.

[Bells129]

I'm a vegetarian and get quite a bit of bs from people too, but you just have to stick to what you believe in and try to ignore them as much as possible. There are always ignorant idiots who refuse to educate themselves and continue blathering on about things they have no idea about ...."oh, we're humans we're supposed to eat meat...not rabbit food!" .... "animals don't even get hurt when they're killed, and they're here for our consumption anyway!"...really, you've just got to laugh at it because it's so ridiculous. Ignore them and feel power at doing what you know is right.

[hvert]

Definitely point out that they are being rude. Don't bother with the scientific arguments or any conversation about your diet. It isn't any of their business what you do and don't eat, whatever that happens to be. Keep the focus on their incredibly boorish behavior.

If someone tries to 'convert' me, I remind them that I'm not shoving my views down their throat, and I expect them to do the same.

Living in California there is every kind of food and every type of dietary choices imaginable. For anyone to comment on your choice of foods is extremely rude.

If someone made a negative comment about my food choices I would handle it very simply: Look the person straight on the eyes and calmly say, "Oh. How rude." That's it. Not another word about the food. If the other person tries to continue his/her thoughtless behavior, just raise your palm and say, "I don't care to discuss my choices any further." Then CHANGE THE SUBJECT. End of story.

[lizardlady]

Switch, I agree with those who say your diet is not anyone else's business. If they bring it up tell them, firmly, "I chose not to discuss this." and change the subject. If they continue, repeat.

It's great your fiancé and mom are supporting you, Switch! Sounds like they really care .

I agree with a lot of the comments here. I suppose some people actually believe that vegetarian and vegan diets are really harmful? And they're really interested in helping you? Nah, now that I think about it, some people like to prove themselves smart when they see someone doing something they consider "dumb." It makes them feel good. However, what they don't realize is that vegetarian and vegan diets are often just as healthy as diets with meat if done properly. Of course, it will be unhealthy if someone doesn't eat carefully, just like every diet.

I also think some people are just "jealous." By jealous, I mean they feel threatened by that point of view. If the whole world turns vegan, they'll look bad for eating meat! Oh no!

I agree with your diet choice. The most vibrant, healthy elderly people I've met are ones who have also been vegetarian or vegans most of their life. They are often very active too, so it shows they care about their physical health.

Well, if you continue with your diet in future years and still don't die from nutrient deficiency, then you will have proved them wrong.

By the way, I'm sorry if this post sounds a little negative. I'm feeling humorous today, which can contain some dark humor too.

[dauntricastewart]

You can't stop anyone form teasing you,as you are mature now try to avoid them and does not pay attention to their talks.

[Lemongrab]

The only time I have a problem with vegans and vegetarians is when they get high and mighty about their dietary choices.