I need a little support...

I would try not to think about it too much, I haven't eaten red meat for 14 years, however my husband always calls me an 'awkward vegetarian' despite the fact I've never claimed to be veggie, and still and always have eaten poultry and fish. Most people know I don't eat red meat, but I do get the occasional questions about why not, don't I miss steaks bla bla, but I usually just tell them no, never liked it, and am not missing it after 14 years, and not about to start eating it again any time soon!

I went veggie one new year, also for ethical reasons, and it lasted about 8 years, until I got pregnant and wanted to eat meat again. So there's no reason it should only last a week or anything! Stick to your guns and they'll stop commenting after a while, you being vegetarian will just be normal to them. My main advice would be to make yummy vegetarian foods from scratch rather than trying to substitute meat with a meat replacement. So for fajitas (as an example) we make the filling from peppers, onions, sliced sweet potato, mushrooms, sweetcorn, kidney beans and courgette rather than using fake chicken. Plus chopped tomato and fajita spice. They're really yummy, whereas if I did pretend quorn chicken I'd just be comparing the rank quorn to real meat and they'd be disappointing. I'm not a of fan of quorn generally though, it's horrid! Cauldron veggie sausages on the other hand are pretty good, we still have veggie sausages on Saturday mornings as they taste good and are generally less fatty than meaty ones.

I don't know why everyone is being so negative and unsupportive about it. If you feel healthier and happier being vegetarian then why not? I was vegetarian for a while and didn't eat red meat for a long time. You are doing the right thing for you and it's no ones business.

I did a very waffle post about the meals I do but just agree with the other.

Whatever you do in life you get naysayers and people that pee all over your bonfire whatever you choose to do.

Like the others said, ignore them, only mention it in specific points like if going to someones for a meal and come here for support?

I do eat meat but i actually prefer the taste of quorn (and own brand derivatives!). I would totally say that the your meals can stay the same as before, just swap the meat for the veggie alternatives. Lasange/chilli/meatballs/roasts etc - i love the quorn cumberland sausages. I personally get in the mind set that you are still eating the same meals as before, but swapping meat for a healthier alternative.

I went veggie when I was about 13 years old and my family thought I was weird, they accepted it mind you but like my friends they thought I wouldn't last. Haven't ate meat since and don't miss it one bit. Over the years I've came to realise that although there are so many veggies there's also so many people who have different views on meat consumption an just come to live with it. Most people don't ask and I don't find myself having to mention it often, I know its the right decision and I'm happy with that..I honestly don't care what anyone thinks about it and you should feel the same. Some people don't like the thought of change and are so stuck in their own ways, my brothers prefer the taste of Quorn to meat and they still eat meat which I find a bit weird but that just how it goes, don't care what anyone says about your choices..plus nowadays there's more veggies than ever and its not unusual in the slightest anymore.

I eat loads of vegetables but I do love my Quorn too, and anything can be substituted so of you're missing anything like lasagne / mince you can just use Quorn or another meat substitute, I'm quite funny and don't like anything that resembles meat too much so tofu is out the question and I found it disgusting anyway. You'll get your own taste for things and get a good routine and own recipes going I have some favourites like Quorn roast or Quorn chicken curry. Donating to animal charities is good veggie or not, I feel I give more away to charities than we take in haha, pick out something that means a lot to you and a good cause and get supporting we support local animal shelters, local cat & dog home, hillside animal sanctuary, Scottish greyhound rescue and wwf (had an elephant adopted for my birthday haha) & a local bird of prey centre which also helps a lot of injured and rescued birds. You'll find something that means a lot to you and you'll feel better for it

I'm on my way to becoming vegan and finding it difficult especially with my Quorn love but hoping to get there. Good luck on your new veggie venture and if you need any support you know where we are

I was veggie for a year or so when I was a teenager but then stopped when I went to Hong Kong on holiday!

I had a year or two off pork a while after that and then went back to it again.

I stopped eating pork in 2003 (I thibk? Wow. Can't believe its been that long?). Its totally for my own reasons (it just seems 'wrong'). I used to get bits of hassle or people asking if I am Jewish or Muslim etc but now people are just used to it. And actually, any new people I have met have not really questioned me on it?

Stick to your guns and go with it. People are maybe not being supportive as they think its a new years resolution (and therefore doomed to fail?). I'm sure if you decided to do it on any random day they would not say so much?

Loads ofveggies on here so ask away for ideas on meals etc. I tell you its probably harder not eating pork as when I go out soooo many dishes have added bacon in I often eat the 'veggie' option

Their reactions don't surprise me tbh, the number of people I know who've decided to go veggie, only to give it up within a year! I admit to being a bit cynical about it myself, I don't understand why people feel the need to label themselves. You just do what's right for you, and if that's giving up meat then good for you. If it's something you feel strongly about you don't need anyone's support - if it's something you want to do then it shouldn't be difficult.

Any lifestyle choice that deviates from *your* normal will inspire a discussion. People are inherently concerned about change and what it means for them- even one that has no impact on thier lives on face value. People won't roll out the poms poms when you make a change sadly. I told people I wanted to do the great south run this year. Everyone has laughed so far. I couldn't give a ***. I know why I'm doing it and that's all that counts.

try not to take it to heart and keep doing what you want to do. If you feel that passionately about animal welfare you will breeze through it. Don't rely on others to validate your choices.

Exactly what Mini said. Apart from the bit about running... I can't run...

Good luck with it

I turned vegan over the new year!! It's supposed to be just for a month, but, well, I'm enjoying it so much I might stick to it. We were pretty much veggie before we started this though, as neither OH and I really like meat.

I miss quorn, that really helped at meal times!

Good luck :-)

Thank you all so much for your support. I didn't tell anyone except my OH at first but then people at work noticed when I didn't eat lunch and my in laws had us over for lunch and I had to tell them and everyone was s negative I felt awful I told my OH how I feel and he's started being really supportive which is so nice!

yesterday we went to wetherspoons (first meal out since new year) I had a veggie burger and loved it! OH wants to try it next time too . I have eaten Quorn for a year or so and really enjoy it so that helps! to be honest I haven't even missed meet yet and it's been 6 days! I am really enjoying it and the help and advice on here has been great thank you all

Don't make a big deal of it. You have simply started cutting out a particular food. If you make an open political point of it, you are inviting discussion. If people question, just smile and say that you are making the right choice for you, one you have given a lot of thought to.

I would just suggest getting on with it. You don't need people to tell you 'Well done' or give you support. Its your choice, no-one else really needs to know.

It doesn't need to be a big deal. Just don't eat meat, it's no one else's business. They can't make you eat it can they? If you said you were never going to eat crisps again, you would probably get the same reaction from people.

I did say I'm not asking for a well done. I was just sick of people telling me it was stupid or that I wouldn't be able to do it or it was pointless. I just wanted some positive responses to it. I guess I am just one of those people who likes a little support when making a big lifestyle change and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I'm not looking for praise at all or congratulations at all.

Coral, stuff 'em I reckon. You're doing it for you and your reasons. It's nice to have support in these things obviously but the people you told probably just think it wasn't that much of a big deal (to them!) and have just brushed it off. Try not to take it personally. I think your reasons are very valid and good for you for doing something you feel passionate about x

This is the key issue for you, the doubting of your commitment. Do not let anyone make you feel like your perfectly valid choice is wrong or that you lack the willpower to achieve it. In my experience, being vegetarian doesn't require a massive amount of willpower (and from the way you speak re: Quorn etc, I suspect it won't be for you). It's not like giving up alcohol or tabs, where there isn't an alternative to feed your craving. You are just changing your diet, not giving up food altogether. Perhaps if you'd announced that you were, from this point forward, only going to live on yellow-coloured things, it would be reasonable to say that you'd be unlikely to do it. But swapping out chicken for Quorn isn't going to challenge your resolve too much.

It sounds like your friends and family are a little too "meat and two veg" in their approach to food? Perhaps you can help them see how nice things can be without meat.

What I'm trying to say is, if you don't want people telling you not to do it, or that you wont, then dont tell anyone. Its noone else's business - then they cant tell you its stupid (which its not) or you wont do it (which only you can decide) - if you say 'I've been vegetarian for 3 months' people are more likely to support that, than a change.

Advice wise, if you are looking to lose some weight try and avoid too much cheese. Its so easy to add it everything and restaurants do this!

My sister told me that Quorn is "stupid as it isn't real meat" and that she'd never eat anything that isn't real.

I told her if she swapped her "real" meat for Quorn, she probably wouldn't have got those thunder thighs she's gained over the last 12 months.

You just gotta ignore the silly comments.

I've been veggie for about 16 years and I have close to no will power at all so I'm sure you'll be fine! My brother was the worst when I first decided I wasn't eating meat anymore, he just wouldn't accept that people could or should live without meat and use to love eating meat in front of me (not that it bothers me, I even cook it for other people). He now only eats red meat once a week because he is older and wiser and realises the health benefits.

I find it a little funny the amount of people who aren't veggie that now substitute quorn into their diets as a healthy alternative, a lot of my colleagues who are on diets are now raving about it even though they have often questioned my vegetarianism. I eat quorn when OH cooks with it (he's also on a diet) but if I'm cooking I wouldn't use it. I think there are far too many lovely recipes out there that don't need meat substitutes. Also I still have traumatic memories of when quorn was disgusting cardboard crap and my mum used to feed it to me every day because she didn't know what else to give her awkward teenage daughter ?.

Someone posted this to my FB last night and it reminded me of this thread. You're not the only one who has to deal with the anti-veggie comments but you will get used to it.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vegetarians-dumbest-things_n_4177147