PARENTS AGAINST HER BEING VEGETARIAN

Dear Jellybean,

I need help with my parents. They are not being fair. I recently became a vegetarian and at the beginning the said it was great. Now that Im really not eating meat, do dont let me be one anymore. Everyday its about me and my vegetarianism. They are constantly telling me you need to eat meat. And i alwasy say no, i dont want to and they they tell me if i dont they arent going to buy me what i need for school like backpack, uniform etc. Im so mad right now! They said if i want to be one, i have to be one at 18. i really dont know why. they said ill die a slow and painful death if i stop eating meat, and soon ill have an eating disorder. I eat a lot of veggies and breads . I eat basicly everything including dairy product, excpet meat. They just dont let me be one, how do i convince them? And also, they said theyre sending me to another country if i dont start eating meat. I know theyre not kidding because they are not fun people and they did it before. when i was 2 they sent me to Aisa to live with these people for 3 years!
Sincerely,
Cathy

Dear Cathy,

You can't fight this battle alone - you need the weight of someone in authority on your side. My suggestion: Talk to your family doctor, or even your school nurse, and discuss this issue with them. Vegetarianism is a totally healthy option, as long as you're making sure to balance what you're losing in vitamins and minerals from meat, with supplemental nutrition from beans, soy products like tofu, nuts, cheese, eggs (if you eat them), etc. Ask your doctor or the nurse to meet with you and your parents to explain to them how you can be a healthy vegetarian, and how it's not going to make you die or get sick (as long as you're smart and conscious about eating right). Good luck!