Convincing family to go vegan

[fvegan]

So this might be controversial, but I really believe after watching documentaries like Forks over knives and watching Dr. Michael Greger videos that a plant based vegan diet can help with things like blood pressure.

My parents are suffering from very high blood pressure, and I'm really worried they are going to suffer from a heart attack if they don't change their heavy meat and dairy based diets.

Has anyone found a way to help their families at least TRY reduce their meat consumption? Even a reduction in Red Meat would be amazing!

Thanks

[Nature Grows]

Well, some of my family members just started copying me, they just saw how i was eating, though they don't eat exactly like me but they have changed there diet to add more healthy meals.

[Universal.Vibe]

Originally Posted by Nature Grows

Well, some of my family members just started copying me, they just saw how i was eating, though they don't eat exactly like me but they have changed there diet to add more healthy meals.

Yeah lead through example is pretty much the only way.
Humans are notoriously stubborn creatures if you tell them to do something more often than not they can't help but do the opposite.

I know its cliché but be the change you want to see.

[fvegan]

Thank you everyone that's actually quite useful. I've lost a lot of weight on this diet and I hoped that would maybe convince them if not for their health, but maybe they need more time.

[DaughterofDanu]

People don't change unless they want to.

While it's clear you care for them deeply enough to worry about their diets you'll get much more progress by being gentle with them. I'm a new vegan myself and wanted to be one for a long time. But what kept me was the attitude of the vegans I was running into. Being pushy, rude, and shoving information about animal cruelty only did more harm than good.

Not saying that you have been :) But it's something I hope most vegans keep in mind when they share their experiences with omnivores. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar after all!

I've been sharing tastes of my food with my family. I'm always excited when I find something new that I enjoy because I always felt healthy food would not taste as good. It's easier that way for me to get them on board. I also tell them how much better I feel now that I've dropped all the processed foods. Like Universal Vibe said, leading by example is the easiest and best bet.

Almost all cultures both past and present eat or ate meat. It's a part of humanity whether it's ethical/healthy or not. So it's a hard habit for some to break. By being kind and understanding of that it takes the edge off and helps people to open up more and do some soul searching as to why they're fighting making healthier changes. Just my thoughts. Good luck!!

[markings]

Originally Posted by fvegan

So this might be controversial, but I really believe after watching documentaries like Forks over knives and watching Dr. Michael Greger videos that a plant based vegan diet can help with things like blood pressure.

My parents are suffering from very high blood pressure, and I'm really worried they are going to suffer from a heart attack if they don't change their heavy meat and dairy based diets.

Has anyone found a way to help their families at least TRY reduce their meat consumption? Even a reduction in Red Meat would be amazing!

Thanks

Try the Banting diet. Cut out as much carbs as possible, Sugar, Bread, Rice, Pasta. Eat as much as you want of vegetables, protein and fatty meat.

[Tobi]

Convincing family to go vegan?
Go via the taste buds, not words.
Cook up a really tasty vegan dinner, home made nut roast, fried onion gravy, roast spuds, the lot. And don't make a fuss about it. Watch them wolf it down. Then tell them it's a vegan dinner and there are a lot more nice recipes like that.

[linen53]

I've found people don't want to change their diet. They are in love with their high fat, high salt, processed foods. I talk about healthy alternatives and they get that glazed look in their eyes. All autoimmune diseases can be linked bad eating habits and high processed foods. And autism, cancers, and Alzheimer's disease too.

We do eat meat in my household, but healthy alternatives. Grass fed, organic and wild game. But we also eat lots of vegetables.

And big food companies are not our friends. They put all kinds of harmful chemicals in the foods most people eat that causes all kinds of diseases. Even your toothpaste has dangerous chemicals in it. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

I'm wondering when people will wake up and take responsibility for their health. We talk about a spiritual awaking, well when will we have a health awakening?

The thing that got my family was seeing me occasionally eat some dairy or butter. and they all throw a fuss.. "OMG hes eating death and cancer". And i calmly explain occasional stuff like that isn't killing me because 90% of my diet is raw alkaline vegan. My body has what it needs to fight off the butter and any other dis-ease that may try to form. that discussion alone got all of them thinking...maybe if i do a real smoothie for lunch every day ill start feeling better. (doesn't hurt for them to hear, my smoothies for a week cost less than $30) Then once that happens it leads to picking a healthier dinner and then eventually both meals are vegan and next thing you know they're sounding like the crazy vegan to their friends asking me how to help convince their friends to go vegan too.

I just encourage one live meal usually juice or shake a day to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Those results usually spark more action on their own.

[Debrah]

Originally Posted by markings

Try the Banting diet. Cut out as much carbs as possible, Sugar, Bread, Rice, Pasta. Eat as much as you want of vegetables, protein and fatty meat.

Just wondering if you noticed that fvegan is a vegan? Suggesting fatty meat is a little inappropriate. It's like my mother going on and on to me about how wonderful the roast beef was last night....