Hello Guys I’m 15M.
My whole family is vegetarian due to cruelty and religious reasons. They’ve never eaten meat, although most of our relatives eat non-veg. My parents’ friends circle is also veg.
My parents (especially mom) are so strict about it that I used to get scolded even if I complement the pleasant smell of non-veg food. I’m told to not eat that stuff in parties/weddings.
Yesterday was my friend’s bday party. This time, I couldn’t resist. The caterer was also offering me non-veg stuff repetitively, as if she knows my situation and deliberately wants me to get scolded.
My friends were pushing me as well. I ate a nugget. Very tasty. Then, I didn’t stop. I ate 3-4 non-veg dishes, the food was so good that I couldn’t even eat a sweet dish later. It felt like a portal to heaven opened in my mouth (my words). I realized what I was missing.
In the end, I ate 2 mouth freshener candies, thinking it would be enough to hide the smell. But my mom sensed something is off and asked me questions. I’m not good at making a straight face while lying, she smelled and found out what I’ve done.
Both parents gave me a 2 hour scolding and said hurtful things like “This isn’t why we’re spending on you and your education” etc. Now I am wondering if I did wrong and should’ve listened to my parents as i am young and they pay for everything
Comments
^^^^AUTOMOD Thanks for posting! READ THIS COMMENT – DO NOT SKIM. This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything.
Hello Guys I’m 15M.
My whole family is vegetarian due to cruelty and religious reasons. They’ve never eaten meat, although most of our relatives eat non-veg.
My parents (especially mom) are so strict about it that I used to get scolded even if I complement the pleasant smell of non-veg food. I’m told to not eat that stuff in parties/weddings.
Yesterday was my friend’s party. This time, I couldn’t resist. The caterer was also offering me non-veg stuff repetitively, as if she knows my situation and wants me to get scolded.
My friends were pushing me as well. I ate a nugget. Very tasty. Then, I didn’t stop. I ate 3-4 non-veg dishes, that food was so good that I couldn’t even eat a sweet dish later. It felt like a portal to heaven opened in my mouth (my words). I realized what I was missing.
In the end, I ate a mouth freshener candy, thinking it would be enough to hide the smell. But my mom sensed something is off and asked me questions. I always fail at making straight face while lying, she smelled and found out what I’ve done.
Both parents gave me a 2 hour scolding and said hurtful things like “This isn’t why we’re spending on you and your education” etc. Now I am wondering if I did wrong and should’ve listened to my parents as i am young and they pay for everything
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Welcome to /r/AmITheAsshole. Please view our voting guide here, and remember to use only one judgement in your comment.
OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> eating non veg food while going against my parents’ wish should be judged as it might make me asshole
Help keep the sub engaging!
Don’t downvote assholes!
Do upvote interesting posts!
Click Here For Our Rules and Click Here For Our FAQ
Subreddit Announcements
Follow the link above to learn more
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
NTA and I’m sorry you have abusive parents.
I’m vegan and still know people eat differently. I’ll go NTA.
NTA – you can make your own decisions
NTA. Food policing can be abusive.
5 years and you can got celebrate at a McDonald’s and stuff yourself on nuggets
NTA Your parents are going about this in a ways that will only lead to you eating more animal protein in the future. They get to choose. You know their reasoning and you now know what it is like to eat meat. It’s ultimately going to be your choice. You need to experience things the way YOU are going to. Maybe you will return to vegetarianism and maybe you won’t. Be careful with eating too much all at once. Your body is just not used to it. Especially something like chicken nuggets. Fried food may not agree with you right away.
NTA, I’m a vegetarian since around your age and you have just as much of a right to choose to eat meat as I did to choose not to. Your parents shouldn’t hold their financial supoort over your head like that, they’re legally obligated to support you in your education as you are their child. That said, continuing to eat meat while living with them will clearly cause conflict so for your own sake it might be easier to just not eat meat until you’re old enough to be self-sufficient, not because your parents are right but because the fights won’t be worth it, you know?
NTA. This is abusive behavior.
You didn’t commit a crime, you just discovered that chicken nuggets slap. Your parents’ beliefs are valid, but so is your curiosity. At some point, every kid has to start figuring out their own values, even if that means going through a chicken-induced identity crisis. Just maybe don’t describe it as a ‘portal to heaven’ next time that probably didn’t help your case 😂.
NTA
forcing kids in a lifetime choice just make then rebel and do the opposite
you will probably be punished, but if/when you leave and have a choice, you can see if your also concord with your parents choice or think eating buffalo’s wing is a religion experience (it is)
NTA. Never expected a nugget to be the gateway drug to a non-veg life, but I can see it
You can eat whatever you want, but actions have consequences. If you are prepared to accept them, there’s your answer.
NTA. You’re old enough to make your own choices about your diet.
NTA. You are your own person and you can decide what things you deem right or wrong. Eating meat might be something they don’t believe in, but you’re your own person and you are fine to make that decision for yourself.
Judging by their reaction I would expect them to continue making a big deal out of it though…. so it’s up to you how you want to proceed. But no, you haven’t actually done anything wrong.
Totally NTA.
In fact, you’re old enough to have a talk with them about this.
It may lead to repercussions, but being mature instead of acting the way they are is constructive.
Holding support/education over your head is cruel & unusual punishment.
Maybe telling them you enjoyed the food you ate, and feel as if it would add to your nutritional well being.
If they persist in arguing, tell them you would like to try eating non-veg on a trial basis for a little bit to see how you react to it, and be firm in your statement. You are old enough to make up your own mind about what foods you want to eat. Promise to never bring non-veg food into the house…maybe they’ll relax about it a bit. Let’s hope, anyway.
NTA. Your parents are self-centered and controlling. Two hours? Even one hour is an abusive brow-beating.
As a vegetarian father who brought up 5 kids in a vege household.
NTA. You are old enough to make your own decisions and eat whatever you like.
Are you asking your folks to cook you non veg food – NO!
In their vege oven? – NO!
Respect their wishes by, maybe, not bringing meatified food into the house or even only eating vege if you go out for a family meal… Otherwise – none of their business 🤷♂️
NTA, you should be able to decide your diet at 15… You might have to buy it yourself with your own money though.
I think it might be best to try and have a mature conversation about it. Since you are a minor and dependent on them, and I don’t think you should necessarily hide things, you might have to hold off.
Or find a compromise somehow. You would be surprised at how many decent vegan options there are. Not the same, but there are some pretty good vegan nuggets and patties.
I don’t know how your religion behaves when it comes to disobedience… You have to judge if it’s worth it or not.
I would be careful though. If you’re not used to meat, it could mess up your digestive system. The nugget was probably a good transition food though since chicken is lean and they’re small pieces of food.
Surprised your family isn’t vegan if the reasons for the diet are both religious and ethics.
Are you allowed to eat animal products like dairy or eggs?
NTA
Being vegetarian/vegan is fine. Forcing it on other people is not. That’s exactly what your parents did here. They forced you into their lifestyle and expected you to not even be curious about a different lifestyle. You may still be a kid, but you are old enough to make this decision for yourself.
“mom, i promise you I will eat meat at least weekly (maybe don’t kill her with “daily”) the moment i leave this house. I will listen to your morals in all the other ways, but for the diet part, i just feel my body needs what it needs. If this is going to be my future anyways, can’t you just make peace with it sooner rather than later? I don’t want to strain our relationship and i know this thing is important to you, but food choices are extremely intimate and it’s not like i am a cannibal. I will try to eat food that was ethically and locally produced. See, I am trying.”
—while i absolutely don’t think you owe her saying all this butt licking things, it might be for the best so that they transfer slowly and steadily. Why blowing into the fire when they are so obviously abusive. Once you’re safely out, eat all the meat three times a day you want.—
Actually YTA
You’re 15 and living in your parents house where they sponsor your life – so for the most part, you really have to live by their rules as long as it isn’t hurting you.
Feel free to eat whatever you want when you’re older and living by yourself. But for now, you do as your parents say.
This is abusive cultish behavior.
NTA. I’m a lifelong vegetarian and I’m raising my kids vegetarian too. However if they want to try meat at your age they can. It’s not my business to police their diets (past a certain age).
if you haven’t eaten meat before or haven’t eaten it in a long time it could make you sick so be careful with that.
I understand why your parents are upset as this is clearly something very important to them. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to try new things but I don’t see this being something you’ll be able to reach a compromise on so if this is something you want to continue doing, you may just have to tough it out for a few more years until you’re an adult and in charge of your own lifestyle. You’re NTA, you’re a kid and you were curious.
NTA, I wish my parents gave me the option to be vegetarian when I was younger (even now they are still mocking vegetarian diet), so the other way must also be true for you.
NTA. Parent can choose to eat however you like. Now that your older, you should be free to make your own choices as well.
NTA. You should be allowed to make your own choices when it comes to food.
With that being said, if you aren’t allergic (and if it’s available where you are), peanut butter does a better job of covering scents on your breath. Eat a pack of peanut butter crackers or a spoon of peanut butter or something if you need to hide breath scents in the future. That’s a tip my mom taught me when I was younger 😂
The only people I’ve heard referring to meat as non-veg food are Indian Hindus.
I don’t think breaking religious rules makes you the asshole.
Nta
They might stunt your growth… go to the school nurse and ask about your health
NTA. You are totally free to eat whatever you want.
You have the right to eat what you want. They have every right to be vegan and to encourage the same for you. But in the end it’s your decision, not theirs.
This is a bs post.
A mother who can detect nuggets on your breath, what are you, vampires? Please stop. YTA for this garbage.
NTA. If you want to not be vegetarian anymore, that’s your choice to make. Your parents’ strict vegetarianism and reasons why are valid, but it’s also okay for you to be curious and develop your own values and dietary choices. They’re aholes in this situation because a 2-hr scolding is a bit excessive, as is holding financial support etc. over your head like they did.
That said, be careful about what meats you choose if you continue to eat non-vegetarian. When you go your whole life being vegetarian, some meats (especially red meat) can make you sick until you get used to eating meat. Start milder (like chicken/white meat) and healthier. Before trying something, look it up. (Honestly, I’d also suggest you wait until you leave for college before switching things up if your parents get that upset about it. It just might be easier and less stressful for you.)
I wish meat was the worst thing my kids tried. Sure beats cocaine.
The thing in an existing family, we are forced to continue the same traditions that our parents and grandparents continued with. We dont have much choice. And if you go against those norms then definitely you are the outcast and this is what happened with you.
I know a lot of parents who would be thrilled if their child’s teenage rebellion consisted of eating forbidden foods. NTA
My personal opinion is that Vegans are bat guano crazy. One of the great delights of life is enjoying good food. Spaghetti with a hearty meat sauce, a Reuben, chili dog, pork bbq, chicken breast, the list is endless.
NTA. You are old enough to make your own decisions on whether you continue to be veg.
I will also comment here that it can be very challenging to get all the nutrition you need on a veg diet, and since OP is a 15yo male, there are concerns about consuming large quantities of soy to replace animal protein.
NTA. Eat what you want
NTA- Your parents are creating an issue that could lead to long term problems with your relationship. They’re making that choice all on their own to suit their own selfish desires. Not to mention the 2 hour scolding and hurtful comments sounds like emotional abuse, I would talk to your school counselor for help with any emotional trauma you’re experiencing, as it seems very unlikely your parents will be helpful in that regard.
NTA
But most of the people here do not live in your household day-to-day, and do not abide by the religion and values of your family.
How do you feel about eating meat? Is it against a religion that you uphold? Does this bring your wider faith into question?
Are you planning on eating meat regularly? If so, I’d encourage you to have an open and honest conversation with your parents about that, what (if anything) that means for your religion and your relationship with them.
While in their house, you should follow the rules of their house, including keeping the house vegetation if that is the house rule. I think it would be fair for you to eat meat outside the home, but you should be open and honest that you are doing that. Hiding things from your parents is not going to end anywhere good.
(Caveat is that you should keep yourself safe. You know your own situation best, and if you’re in a situation where this issue is going to cause you to be in danger, please do what you have to do to stay safe.)
NTA your body your choice and it isn’t like you’re bringing it into your home
Nta
Hopefully you can have a grown up conversation eventually with them to try to get them to understand. You did nothing wrong. As a parent I know my kids may grow up to have differing viewpoints then I do and I would never try to force anything like food choices, religion etc on them. When you are moved out at least you can make your own choices.
So you’re eating dead animals, but you fear herbivores? NTA
NTA. Your parents choice is not your choice. You have right to choose for yourself. Either it’s health reason’s, religion or non-cruelty – it’s still your choice to follow any of those.
After saying this – while you are in their household, you’re expected to follow their rules. When you are on your own – your choice. But learning some “poker face” will not harm you.
The whole point of growing up – is choosing your own path. Your parents can give you advice, they can guide you – but in the end, it YOUR life and YOUR choice. You are most def NTA. You should be proud that you dared make your own decisions! Tell them – respectfully – that while you appreciate their concern, you don’t agree with their life choices, even though you respect them. And you expect them to meet you the same way. If I were you, I would probably continue to eat vegetarian when I was home – but eat what I wanted, when I was out – and drop the vegetarian when I moved out. It’s important to note, that eating vegetarian can be good! In our household (danish) we eat meat – but almost never red meat, and we often eat vegetarian dishes. Because it’s healthy and tasty. But I would never go completely without meat 🙂
This morning I woke up and decided to lie on the internet because I have no life. YTA for this made up shit, yeah I have already seen your “not everything is made up” comments. Sure, not everything is made up but this definitely is.
Hurry up and get your education so you can move out. I’m vegetarian mostly because I don’t like the taste or feel of meat in my mouth, but humans are omnivores by nature.
Not liking the animal cruelty side and trying to force that on your children is daft. You ate food, not drugs, no alcohol, just food 🙄
What I’ve learned over the years is strict parents raise the best liars. You aren’t the assjole for the enjoying food but you will catch hell for it. Get better at hiding it or get used to being punished
NTA. You’re old enough to choose whether to eat meat or not.
NTA. Your parents obviously have very strong feelings about their reasons for vegetarianism. You apparently don’t feel as strongly as they do.
At 15, you are still dependent on your parents financially, but you are old enough to have your own opinions and sense of morality, that may differ from your parents. That puts you in a difficult situation, though. If they are literally sniffing your breath to check for meat smells, they are being a bit extreme about it, but you’ll need to your bide your time.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with eating meat. Humans are omnivorous. We are meant to include meat in our diet. But there are legitimate ethical concerns about the modern industries that supply our meat and their treatment of livestock. And there are religious practices that prohibit meat consumption. So it isn’t like your parents’ reasons for choosing vegetarianism are unfounded or groundless. However that doesn’t obligate you to share in their lifestyle choices. That said, you may need to postpone your “omnivorous awakening” until you are able to afford to live independently and buy and prepare your own food, in your own home.
NTA.
i am a bit concern about that adult offering it to you multiple times. Because too much meat on a person not used to it – can lead to stomach aches. So take your meat discovery journey slow and with breaks.
There is also a tick bite that can lead to intolerance of red meat and therefore, If I were the host, I wouldn’t try to enforce someone to try and eat.
Certainly don’t let others be your own moral compass. Neither parents nor friends.
Forbidden things always taste amazing because they are forbidden.
But for example chicken nuggets the tofu ones with good spices truly almost taste the same.
Not saying you are in the wrong but I think you are a little bit overwhelmed because you know it’s the forbidden fruit. And therefore it tastes all the better.
Your parents are in the wrong, but you will not be able to change their beliefs. You either have to wait until you live on your own to enjoy the diet you wish to have or sneakily continue to eat whenever you get the chance.
NTA and your parents are toxic for trying to push their beliefs on you like this. Same thing happened to me with my mother. She used to push me like hell to fast for religion when I was a minor. This way she made me stop believing.. My advise is be patient for 3 more years or if you have the guts to go through hell for your beliefs stand your ground and eat like a modern human being.. My mom also goes vegan for religious reasons for half a year. Let me tell you that cruelty is everywhere my friend. Cruelty is not killing an animal in order to eat it but killing it for fun, mistreating it etc etc The ecosystem works by everything eating something else.
Im a vegetarian, my daughter isn’t shes 14, and iv always cooked meat for her and my partner…
Its personal opinion – not something I’d push on another, my child tried it for a bit at 11, she didn’t want to carry on… so she just went bk to eating meat lol
Relax it’s not blue peter. Just having a nice
relaxing smoke of crackmouthful of nuggets.You’re not the arsehole for ignoring your parents fake religion. I would just accept their wishes while you live with them, then once you move out you can eat nugs and steaks to your heart content, it’s not 1235ad we live in an age of enlightenment, none of the religions are true. Make your own mind on how you want to live, and enjoy the delicious nuggets.
They didn’t smell anything, they just noticed you looking guilty and you caved. As a vegetarian, I say eat what you want to eat and draw your own (hopefully informed) conclusions. As a person with religious dietary restrictions, I say this is a personal issue for you to work out with yourself and your god and perhaps a religious leader – your parents don’t have to be involved. Either way, NTA.
You’re being abused. this is child abuse. Sure you may be able to get a whole bunch of nutrients from being vegetarian and some kids are naturally vegetarians- I have a young relative that just really doesn’t like meat- but if you’re craving it and it’s available to you and they’re withholding it from you and then they’re getting mad at you for eating it at someone else’s party I honestly would call CPS on them.
Be careful introducing meat into your diet as your body isn’t used to digesting it. You may be in for something much more uncomfortable than a 2 hour lecture.
See if you can find ethically sourced meat. Do your research. Explain to your parents that you’d like to try meat on occasion as long as it is raised in a compassionate setting. Show them your understand and agree with their views but you’d like to explore alternatives.
Might work, might not, but can’t hurt to try
A lot of people end up leaving their parents’ religion as they grow older and develop their own beliefs, but the reaction you got is pretty typical.
NTA but I would move out first and gain independence before challenging their beliefs too much or they could get extremely nasty about it.
NTA – Unfortunately as a kid you should be following your parents rules. However, I personally don’t agree with forcing anyone to eat a specific diet for any reason other than medically necessary. I would say your options are to either avoid meat until you move out or get better at being sneaky, only eating meat when you spend the night somewhere for example so you have an excuse to brush your teeth before going home.
NTA- it is your choice what type of diet you want to have. Your parents have their reasons. But like religion, they can believe. They can teach. But they can’t force you to believe.
How ever, you are a minor living under their roof, they are legally obligated to care for you up to a certain point, be aware of how much you are reliant on them and what your parents might do if you go against their beliefs.
It’s your right to eat what you want when you aren’t at home. And a whole new world of flavours have been opened for you. But if you have to wait a few years, when you are an adult an independent they definitely can’t stop you from making your own choices.
NTA. Veganism is incredibly unhealthy in the long run. Especially in a growing young man.
NTA
If there was ever a way to make a carnivore, your parents are really trying lol. Berating a teenager for trying new foods pretty bad. I get that with religion parents can feel like your soul will be lost if you break the rules, so that’s probably why they were so harsh. It’s not an excuse, though. They shouldn’t do that, and you should be able to eat what you want, so long as it’s reasonably healthy.
I guess if you want to continue to eat meat, try and do it at friends houses or whatever. But early, so you have plenty of time to eat something else and drink some juice or something.
You’re totally NTA. I can understand your patents’ viewpoint and they have every right to insist that what you eat at home adheres to their dietary restrictions but it’s kind of ridiculous for them to try to enforce that diet when you are not home or not with them. You did nothing wrong.
Unfortunately as a minor, they do have the power to make your life difficult on the subject so this is something that you’re going to need to figure out how to navigate until you are an adult and can move out to live your own life.
NTA.
Ps your mum cannot smell anything. She does not have superpowers. You at most smelled of being near a fire and meat if it was a bbq, not eating it if you washed your face and had a mint.
You just, like many kids, believe that your strict parents know the things you don’t want to tell them. So you act weird and then you tell them and your belief is reinforced.
You will discover they do not know. That it is very easy to lie and get away with things as long as you keep it simple and consistent and don’t act weird, no one knows.
This is the age when you should be deciding your own values and exploring them. Do your parents want you to do bc as you’re told or to learn to have your own independent judgement of right and wrong?
I’m an adult and a vegetarian – as is my mother. But I cane to that choice for myself, but because it was enforced on me.
JFC. This is so fake. No one is smelling chicken nuggets on your breath. That’s not a thing. This account is also literally 45 minutes old.
Oh, and in the off-chance this is real? You’re gonna have a real good time shitting your brains out for the next few days.
NTA – and start counting down because soon enough you’ll be a grown adult who can take control of their own life.
At this point it’s about choosing your battles, do you want to keep having this fight or can it just wait until you’ve moved out?
It’s early enough that you can start planning your escape to a university far out of town.
Tell your parents yiu are not vegan and that by law they should provide you with proper food.
NTA but you’re going to put up with crap from your family until you move out.
Your story reminds me of when I was in basic training. There was a Jewish guy in my platoon, and he loved bacon. A bunch of us asked him about it once and he just said “Hey, my mother’s not here, and bacon is great.” That was the end of it from our perspective.
And it seems like your perspective 🙂
NTA. You’re old enough to make your own decisions about what to eat. They’re entitled to keep a vegetarian home, but if you want to eat meat outside the home that should be your call. The fact that they’re going to the point of smelling you to detect meat is creepy and disturbing. Your friends also suck for pressuring you. But now you know what you’re missing, so it’s time for you to consider your own values and desires and decide whether you want to continue being vegetarian as you become an adult.
Absolutely NTA.
I was a vegetarian when my kids were born (vegan now) but 15 is WAY old enough to make your own decisions on what you eat outside of the household.
NTA
Vegan parent of a vegan child here… Did we try to explain our reasons? Yes. Is it her choice? Yes. Would I put veganism above our relationship? No. I’d certainly have feelings if my daughter decided to go non-vegan, but those would be mine to deal with and not to put on her. As will be the case with many things in life. She has to make her own decisions and I am going to have to accept them.
I’m a vegetarian, of about 35 years now. Vegetarianism is not unhealthy! However, at your age you are able to make your own decisions. In order to make decisions it makes sense that you try different things. You are NTA. But understand that probably some of your extreme enjoyment right now is because it’s forbidden. But it’s your life and you should try different things to determine how you want to live your life also, when it comes to things like diet, you may decide one thing today and 10 years from now you may decide something different and 10 years from then you might change your mind again and that’s totally fine.
For the well-being of the animals, I certainly hope that you do choose to be a vegetarian but it’s your choice!
You’re not the asshole for being curious and trying non-veg food, but since you live with your parents, it’s tricky because their rules still affect you.
NTA. Similar to parents forcing a meat eating lifestyle on their kids, it’s no different to your parents.
But you should talk with your parents instead of trying to hide it. Have a discussion on why you want to try meat. Be aware that you are essentially saying that they raised you wrong and are horrible people (in their opinion and how they will take it). But look up crucial conversations for some guidance.
Don’t bring it in the house and don’t eat it in front of them.
NTA – you can eat what you like as long as you respect your family’s choices too (ie don’t bring meat home if they don’t like it).
NTA. its their choice not to eat meat, but they cannot force you to do what they want with your body. you have autonomy and free will and its your choice to make. they dont have to like it
NTA, they are being unreasonable, there are good reasons to be vegetarian or vegan, but there are some pretty good reasons not to be as well, so it should be a personal choice, but you are 15 and there is absolutely nothing you can realistically do about it. For your sake, maybe dont push the issue. Just stick it out until you move out.
If you think they might be reasonable you could suggest adding meat to your diet as long as you research the source and ensure that it is from ethical farms that treat their animals well, but if they are the type to fully forbid you from eating meat i doubt that would fly.
Your friends also suck for pressuring you into something they knew would get you in trouble btw.
NTA.
Your parents have every right to say what food is available in their own home (so long as it is nutritious and keeps you healthy). Outside their home, though, it’s a totally different story. They do have the responsibility to educate you on religious beliefs and social concerns, and it sounds like they are doing that – but not to make you feel like you, personally, have committed a crime when you eat food presented to you at an event or party.
It sounds like it has gotten to the point where you believed you were being coerced into eating non-veg food, when what appears to have happened is that the caterer wasn’t told about your vegetarianism and was just offering you the same food they offered to everyone else at the party.
When I was younger, my family was friends with a Jewish family who kept kosher. The father, who was a strongly religious man, disapproved of any instance of not eating kosher at home or at family gatherings. However, when the family was visiting other families, he told his children, “It is a greater sin to deny hospitality freely and warmly given.” His kids would try to stick to dishes that didn’t go against the rules (because he taught them about why keeping kosher was important to the family), but no one got mad if they didn’t. This was especially true if the host didn’t know the rules of kosher eating and was just offering them the same food as they served everyone else.
You can feel guilt over the incident if you follow that religion and/or believe in the avoidance of cruelty to create food – but your parents have gone way overboard here.
NTA. Your parents weren’t born vegetarian. At some point, they were of an age to decide how they wanted to eat…and they chose. You too are now at the age (or very close, depending on your parents), to be able to choose how you eat. Yes, your parents pay for everything – that is their obligation as parents, to take care of you and provide for you. It should not behaviorally based, it would be abusive if it were.
NTA. Vegan and vegetarian lifestyles are choices for individuals and nobody else. Your family has taken it to the level of zealotry which is unhealthy on a mental level.
Regardless of your age it’s your decision and nobody else