I'm a quarter Italian but that's the only side of my family I really see and they are pretty traditional. I haven't seen them since I've gone vegan and to be honest I'm kind of dreading it (it's one of the reasons I didn't go to my cousin's graduation party even though everyone was pushing me to go). Well, I've seen my grandparents and aunt and uncle but not my extended family. My grandfather went vegan for awhile last year for his diabetes...my mom's cousins (not sure what they are..my second cousins? I call them all aunt and uncle though lol) were convinced he was going to die or something and one of them who's a colorectal surgeon convinced my grandpa to give up veganism (total BS since he doesn't know a thing about nutrition). They all thought it was just the worst idea ever. So I'm dreading telling them I'm vegan now. I probably won't see them for a year though as I'm studying abroad all of next year in London, so I'm hoping by the time I get back I'll have figured out a way to tell them without them freaking out too much.
My grandparents and aunt and uncle know now, though. My grandparents didn't take it all that well--now my grandfather keeps trying to convince me egg white is vegan (even though when he was vegan he didn't eat it!) and my grandmother just keeps asking me if I'm sure I don't want ice cream. My parents are vegetarian and I've been vegetarian my whole life and as far as I can remember my family's always been really good about it, but my mom says at first they weren't very happy. Now they're really accomodating and try to make most of the side dishes vegetarian and my mom always makes lasagna, which everyone loves. Sadly most of the vegetarian food they make has cheese in it so I probably won't be able to eat much of the stuff at family gatherings--however, I plan to make lots of good vegan food for the first family gathering I go to!
Anyway, sorry this is so long! My point is that while I don't expect my family to take the news very well, I think they will come around to the idea eventually, considering how well they've warmed up to the vegetarianism thing. I really hope your family takes it well--please let me know how you tell them and what their reactions are and if you have any pointers for handling Italian families.
And remember to bring some yummy vegan food for them to try! I suggest dessert.
Btw which part of Italy is your family from? Mine's from Tuscany--so they're all beaneaters already anyhow.
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