Stories from vegetarian children

The following are stories from children 12 and under who have taken the Veggie Challenge.

I think about all the poor animals in the world

During this past week, I experienced being a vegetarian. I was encouraged by my mom and my friends. I decided to take this challenge, because I learned how the animals were slaughtered and whenever I remembered what I read I was disgusted with people for doing it. So every time I remember what I read, I think about my cat or my fish and all the other poor animals in the world. I am 9 years old.

– Stephanie, age 12 or under, Toronto

I used to eat too much meat

I did this because I found I eat too much meat. When I read about it [the challenge] I thought it was cool and would help me to become a vegetarian. Mom thought it would be fun and it was. We were trying diffant things. It was a success and I think I'll eat like that for now on.

– Laura, age 10, Toronto

I am six years old

I am six years old. I live with my parents and a sister. My mother has been a vegetarian for a year and my sister who is almost 21, has been a vegetation for almost 4 years. My dad and I still eat meat. On Friday Sept 12th, my mother told me that she was going to take me to the vegetarian food fair the following day and that is when I announced to her that I wanted to become a vegetarian. When she asked me if I knew what vegetarians ate, I replied: "they eat fruits and vegetables". She told me that their diet is much more varied and gave me some examples. She also asked me why I wanted to become vegetarian and I answered that I wanted to be like her and my sister. So my mother started feeding me a vegetarian diet on Saturday. On Sunday she told me that I could enter a contest, the Veggie Challenge, I agreed, and continued eating only vegetarian food for 8 days in a row. I think that on a couple of occasions during the week I told her that I did not want to be a vegetarian anymore and she told me that after the Veggie Challenge I could eat whatever I wanted. My mother is very proud of me! Oh and by the way, my father, as a result of my participation in the Veggie Challenge, only ate vegetarian meals at home for the whole week and mother even made him some vegetarian sandwiches to take to work!!! But he did not know he was part of any Veggie Challenge!!!

– Liam, age 12 or under, Toronto

Now I am going to stay vegetarian

I became interested, as my mom is vegetarian, and after all those problems with meat (BSE). The two weeks went fine, and I didn't have any problems. There wasn't any problems at all. Now I am going to stay vegetarian.

– Ezra, age 12 or under, Toronto

When I first told my parents they freaked

When I first told my parents they freaked but I showed them pictures of what my plate will look like so they calmed down and since I took the plunge and became a vegan I have been feeling so much more healthy and also feel I'm helping the world by saving animals every single day.

– Izzie, age 12 or under, Toronto

From vegetarian to vegan

I decided to do the vegan challenge because when I went to the vegetarian food fair, a vegetarian speaker told me that if someone put a gun to his head and told him he would die if he didn't eat a beef burger or an egg, he'd eat the beef burger. I'd rather eat an egg. Then he talked about how people were so cruel to the cows and chickens. Then I decided that since I was already a vegetarian I would take the extra step into becoming a vegan. It wasn't that hard since I already drank soymilk and didn't eat ice cream. But the main problem was the little tiny bit of eggs that Starbucks uses, I don't know how vegans survive in the world. With the ocassional mistake of eating a food that contained an unknown dairy ingredient, I managed to survive. Now, my parents have been convinced and have banished butter and ice cream from our house. instead we eat soy ice cream and Earth's Balance (margarine). One day I will become a true vegan!

– Jasmine, age 12 or under, Toronto

Trying new things for the sake of animals

Jordan (8 years old) has always been a vegetarian. He occasionally would eat Chicken Nuggets from McDonalds, but that was mostly about getting the toy. Jordan has been learning with me the impact of fast food corporations on the treatment of animals. Also, he is learning about maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious meals. He has cut back on cows milk over the past week, and although he hasn't fallen in love with soy's milk yet, is learning to appreciate trying new things for the sake of animals, the environment and his health.  For me: over the last week since going vegetarian, I felt better than I have in 10 years!

– Jordan's Mom, North York

It feels special being a vegetarian

I became a vegetarian because I don't like eating the *poor little animals* as my friend Lilly calls it. My friends are really nice about it. They serve vegetarian food at their B-Days and stuff. It feels special being a vegetarian, so if u aren't already one, be one!

– Eva, age 12 or under, Toronto

I gave it a try and loved it!

I have been a vegetarian for 2 years since I was ten and plan to be a vegetarian for a longtime. My family supports me but I am the only vegetarian in my whole family so that is sometimes an obstacle. Another obstacle is school – eating tofu in the cafeteria can get some pretty weird looks. I was first interested in vegetarianism after my mother’s friend told me she'd been a vegetarian for a while but now eats chicken. I thought it was kind of cool so decided to give it a try and loved it! Ever since I have never eaten meat and have even convinced two of my friends to give vegetarianism a try. Both are doing pretty good.

– Kenley, age 12 or under, Picton, ON

My sisters said: "They're going to the... vet"

When I was younger and lived on a farm, every day when I went to school I saw a silver-grey truck go by on Petrolia line. One day, I asked my sisters, "Where are those trucks going from the farm over there?" "They're going to the... vet." they used to reply. I though that was that until one day last summer, I went into a slaughterhouse by following the truck I saw once a week before I moved. I was grossed out! The cute little cows and pigs that I used to love had been skinned, frozen, and were soon to be sold! I almost puked and felt sick when I got home. I never told my family where I was going or else they would have told me not to go, I said I was just going out for a long bike ride, but I am glad I went. My mum says that I am too young to be a full vegetarian so I eat chicken occasionally and another type of meet once a month. I would like to get to be 14 so my mum can finally say "Ok Joyce you don't have to eat meat anymore"

– Joyce, age 12 or under, Sarnia, ON