A month or so ago my oldest watched a movie at school called "Super Size Me". I didn't pay too much attention to this because it kind of seemed redundant. I know at the time she declared that she would never eat at McDonald's again.
"Yes...whatever," I thought, "I'll play your silly game."
And then it came to my attention that not only was she not eating at McDonald's any more, but she wasn't eating fast food from anywhere any more. Or meat.
Somehow I had missed that one.
"You're not eating meat?" I asked.
"I'm a vegetarian," she replied.
"When did that happen?" I asked.
"She saw a movie..." Lois started to explain.
"Yeah, I remember that."
In my head I was thinking: "Wasn't that like a month ago? Haven't we been eating meat all this time? Has she been eating 'not meat' every time we sit down for dinner for the past month? And because it was late Sunday afternoon and we were all starving and driving around town doing weekend shopping stuff, I asked myself the most important question of all. "Where the hell are we going to eat?"
Later on a little light bulb came on and I was all, "That's why she's been eating all those avocados! And why Lois bought that tofu the other day. And why Jen is always asking about gelatin."
The other day while Lois and I were walking through the grocery store and doing this double shopping thing, I asked her, "Does Jen know what she's doing?"
Lois explained to me that she told Jen that if she's really going to do this, then she needs to educate herself on what's a balanced diet and how to prepare foods.
"I'll help her," Lois said, "But this is like uncharted territory. We're just going to have to play it by ear. And in the meanwhile, if she's going to stay away from anything bad, it may as well be fast food."
I had to laugh. Remember when it used to be just drugs and alcohol?
12 comments:
In the long run I am sure it will be good for her. I wish I had done the same when I was her age. If so I probably would have ended up living to a ripe old age.
She will need to work on getting enough complete proteins. Good sources include nuts, beans, and soy. Meals must ultimately be planned to allow her to have complete proteins. Also she should be careful not to substitute carbohydrates for meat as this may in fact end up being more unhealthy for her in the long run (although I realize she is doing this mostly for ethical reasons).
Good wishes to her.
Laoch,
I appreciate the insight.
How are you doing by the way?
Be well.
~B
I'm proud of her! I'm a lifelong vegetarian. It's not so bad. Laoch is right, and lots of vegetarians do eat too many carbs. There are lots of good recipes online. Recipezaar.com has lots of good ones.
I hope she'll be a good influence on you guys, too. Fast food really is terrible. I've read many studies that link meat consumption with higher cancer rates. I'm glad she has you and Lois to support her. I was the lone vegetarian in a house full of carnivores, so I was left to scavenge from what meatless dishes were made. I did not get nearly enough protein. I probably didn't eat healthy until I was about 17.
She has my admiration! I do love people who stick to their guns!
Pearl
Good for her! Fast food, processed food, food grown in depleted soils,and pretty much anything that your grandmother would not recognize on the grocery store shelf is suspect. Welcome to the world of trying to eat healthy- :-)
Best not let her watch Food Inc, lest she quit eating altogether.
Good luck!
I remember that programme.
And all this you have to eat healthy and avoid obbesite like the plague annoys me. Yes there is an obbessity crisis but there is also an eating disorder crisis which is not being helped.
But it's good she is educating herself. From friends who are vegie I seem to remember them having to watch things like iron count.
My niece went vegie too I was surprised though as it lasted a year. Ha but good for her if it's what she wants to do.
A good magazine that covers the vegetarian diet might be helpful. It's fairly easy to get enough protein if she likes greens and beans.
I occasionally eat meat but we try to steer clear of fast food. I once had someone tell me what the types of cows look like that fast food places purchase so they can 'pass on the savings' and have $1.00 meals. Let's just say it's not healthy cows.
Vegetarian is a great way to go. Do you know meat eaters need to get more calcium? There's all these cool facts to find out. Just make sure she's eating a rainbow of food and most likely she'll be fine.
Good for her. A month takes real commitement.
BTW my husband gave up meat when he was a teenager, he's on his third decade of no meat (he does eat fish.) so you never know...
Wait, drugs and alcohol are bad??!
P.S. That movie grossed me the HELL out.
P.P.S. I love your family.
I agree with ZDub - the movie totally grossed me out! Glad that it is making an impression. Anyone for some celery?
And we thought being a parent was going to be easy! HA!
It's always a treat to catch an update on you guys and since I finally figured out how to sign in to leave notes - here I am. (Its really easier to sign up at mine, wink, wink...nudge, nudge). How are you doing? Is your meld still up where you need it to be? Any rough ideas on a timeline or is it way too soon for that? All the best to all of you and daily prayers on your behalf. God Bless,
Fundamental Charlie
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