Ask the Editor

I have been a vegetarian for a long time and trying to get my children and my husband to be vegetarians, but lots of parents in and around the school make me feel that I'm depriving my children of the best because I don't want them to eat meat or meat products. What can I say to prove them wrong? Thank you for you help! - Mrs. Beatrice Russo

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Dear Beatrice,

If you firmly believe that your children will be healthier without meat then those people at school should not be able to make you feel that you are depriving your children of the best. Perhaps they are saying something which is causing you to feel a little uncertain about your beliefs. Could this be the case?

The way your question is worded has me thinking that perhaps you're not as certain as you'd like to be. If you were certain, you wouldn't feel the need to prove it. For example, if someone came up to you and said they thought all women should have c-sections and never have natural childbirth again, would you go out of your way to prove to them that they are wrong? Probably not, because you'd know they were foolish.

My advice to you if you are not completely certain is to do more research. Read Becoming Vegetarian or Becoming Vegan to learn more about the health benefits of being a veg*n. Once you're certain, their comments will become meaningless to you.

Then if they say they think you would be depriving your kids, simply say, "I disagree" and move on.

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