LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
A Young Veggie LOOKS FOR Help in VRG Website
Hello. My name is Valarie. About two years ago, I decided to finally give up all meat. I had been slowly dropping different types of meat since I was four, starting with pork. I'm 15 now. I've done a lot of reading and research on vegetarianism, and I would very much so like to take the next step and become vegan. But I have a slight problem, my father strongly disapproves of me being a vegetarian. He says it is unhealthy, and he has forbidden me to become a vegan. He has always let me do what I wish, but now that he realizes I'm serious about what I'm doing, he doesn't like it. So the reason I'm writing this to you is because VRG is one of the best sites I've visted and I think you might be of some help. You see, the only way I can remain veggie as I am, is that I have to prove to my dad that it is a healthy diet choice. And I would do this myself, but I don't know where to begin, or even how to put together a journal of my day-to-day diet, as he has requested of me. If you can help me in any way, even if it's only a point in the right direction, please respond to this. Thank you.
Valarie, via e-mail
VRG responded by providing pamphlets including The American Dietetic Association Position Paper on Vegetarian Diets (1997), available at <www.vrg.org/nutrition/adapaper.htm>, and all the brochures and information available on our site at <www.vrg.org/nutshell>.
Because Valarie is a teenager, we also directed her to our brochure, Vegetarian Nutrition for Teenagers, available at <www.vrg.org/nutrition/teennutrition.htm>, and the special young adults' section of the website, <www.vrg.org/family/kidsindex.htm>.
Valarie's Response
Thank you so much for your help. Everything is working out great for me. My dad was so impressed that I may just get to become a vegan after all. This site has done so much for me, and I'd like to congratulate everyone that put it together for inspiring many young adults. I took the liberty of sending a link of your page to all of my friends, some of whom are already vegetarians. Many of the ones that received the link e-mailed me back today, telling me they just might try vegetarianism or veganism. Even my boyfriend is going to try to be vegan as soon as I start. I'm so happy and so very excited, and I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without the help of VRG or you, so once again, thank you.
Valarie, via e-mail
