Vegetarianism and kids

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) Dec 24th 2007 5:00PM

I was a vegetarian for several years in my early twenties, but I didn't do it right. I ate pasta and tomato sauce and a whole lot of corn -- a few greens dabbled in here and there to help me reassure myself, but that was about it. Oh, and cookies, I am quite sure I ate a while lot of those. Needless to say, I wasn't overly healthy. My hair began to fall out and my lips developed a persistent cut in the corner. I can't remember how I went back to eating meat, but I did.

For the past year, I've been contemplating going back to being a vegetarian, perhaps going the full route and giving up dairy, too. I was inspired by one of my bosses last week, who happens to be vegan, and then I went kicking around the web, landing on the PETA website. I watched one video and now my mind is made up: no more meat for me.

But, as with everything else in my life as a Mom, my decision no longer impacts only myself. I don't necessarily think that I can make a choice for Nolan to be a vegetarian too -- he should probably make that decision on his own - but my eating choices will obviously impact him. I know that the vegetarian lifestyle can be very healthy (when done properly), and Nolan already loves his vegetables, rice, and whole grains. He won't miss milk as he's allergic to dairy. I think what I will do is cook meatless dishes in the home -- but provide him with unfettered access to all foods when he is anywhere outside his home. And since eggs are his favourite -- I'll keep those available -- but will try to look for local, cruelty free farms (is that even possible, I'm not sure.)

Vegetarian and vegan parents, I'd love to hear from you -- does your child eat meat?

Comments (17)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

SKL 12-24-2007 @ 5:40PM

I am not a vegetarian, but I eat little meat. I don't buy it for preparing food at home.

I am not per se restricting my kids from eating meat, but I do all I can to give them a complete diet without it, so it is kind of like an occasional cookie - something they get to taste sometimes at restaurants - or happens to be part of a pre-made food or something served at other people's homes.

My goal is to develop habits such that they don't feel like they "need" meat, or feel a meal isn't complete without it. I really don't think it's particularly healthy for kids to eat, especially not the way most North Americans incorporate it into their diets. It's not a very convenient food to prepare, store, or clean after. And personally it bothers me to kill something just for pleasure (including pleasure eating).

It's not always easy to stick to my guns, though. Friends and relatives chide me for "forcing disgusting vegetables" on my kids and "depriving" them of meat. But I just tell them my logic and do my own thing. They can do their own thing with their own kids. But there is no way either I or my kids are going pure vegetarian, because I'm not about to tell my family to hold the turkey on Thanksgiving or my refuse sister's famous kapustas on New Year's Eve. It would make for too much unpleasantness. They already think I'm a freak for eating organic.

pbhj 12-24-2007 @ 7:35PM

>>> "And personally it bothers me to kill something just for pleasure (including pleasure eating)."

It would bother me too, but you know, staying healthy ... meat is an unsurpassed source of amino acids, iron, zinc, calcium and other minerals needed.

For example the iron in beef is absorbed far more readily (like 12-15 times) than iron in vegetable matter. Vitamin B12 isn't readily available in a (uncontaminated!) vegetable diet.

http://www.bhj.org/books/diets/chap20.htm is quite a good balanced view mentioning vegan sources for nutrients were possible. Just make sure to leave some manure on your veg so you get enough B12!

Without eating meat I don't think I could ensure I was getting sufficient nutrients unless I took chemical supplements.

It's not clear why you want to be a vegan? You met a nice vegan (there are nice, healthy, lean, strong - whatever facet it was - meat-eaters too)? Cruelty to animals (there are less cruel ways than factory farming)?

>>> "I know that the vegetarian lifestyle can be very healthy"

No more or less healthy (provided extreme care is taken in ensuring common deficiencies are tackled) than an omnivorous lifestyle according to research reviews I've read.

jake 12-24-2007 @ 6:26PM

I'm not a parent just yet. My partner and I are both vegan, and she will be giving birth in about 6 weeks, give or take. Our nephew is 3 and vegan, though his occasionally dabbles in seafood. I would argue that cruelty free eggs don't exist, unless you know exactly where they're coming from. I would suggest trying to find a community supported agriculture system in your area for eggs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported_agriculture

To find one in your area: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Our housemates get eggs and vegetables from a local farmer who essentially keeps an open door policy. His chickens are actually able to open their wings and wander in green space, not simply "have access" to green space as is required to get the "cage free" label.

We will raise our child vegan until such a time as s/he decides not to do so, if at all. I think this is similar to my parents raising me as an omnivore until I chose otherwise. It sounds as though he eats a variety of foods as it is, and I think you've got a great plan in doing a meat-free home and allowing him to make choices outside of the home.

I would also recommend joining an online vegetarian or vegan community for menu and cooking tips.

Uly 12-24-2007 @ 7:20PM

If you're choosing vegetarianism as a moral issue, I don't see why you can't present that to your kid, the same way you present 'we don't steal' and 'we don't hit the other children' as moral issues, or 'no, we don't eat cockroaches' and 'no, we don't eat cats' as dietary ones.

You know there are people in this world who eat foods you find disgusting, but you don't feel compelled to allow your kid to try those foods out, do you?

Robin Elise Weiss 12-24-2007 @ 7:20PM

I am a vegetarian and my husband is a vegan. We only serve veggie or vegan at home. Once the kids are school age and leave the house they can choose what they want, very rarely do they choose meat... Our oldest (16) occasionally has turkey or salmon, 14, 10 and 7 yo claim to be veggies by choice. Our 5 yos and 2 yo are vegetarian but not vegan. It works well for us and our kids love a variety of foods. You might like Vegan Lunchbox (blog and book) as well as Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone (book). Good luck!

Spring 12-25-2007 @ 1:42PM

Some inspiration, Kristin.. have fun!

http://veganyumyum.com/
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/

Oh yes, I would think on the west coast you have a pretty good chance of finding some free range chickens or other local and more humane sources of food.

Anji 12-24-2007 @ 8:27PM

I am vegetarian and raising my son veggie. Raising him as a meat eater would be 'making a decision for him' just as much as raising him veggie. We make decisions for our kids based on what we think is best for them all the time, their diet is no different. :o)

ame s 12-24-2007 @ 11:15PM

My 9 year old enjoys a wide variety of foods, but my 7 year old has not touched a fruit or vegetable (unless you count pinto beans) for 3 years. She doesn't even like fruit juice. Meat, seafood, pasta, milk, yogurt, and chicken noodle soup she will eat. I sneak babyfood carrots into her spaghetti sauce.

CLM 12-24-2007 @ 11:04PM

I would recommend that you talk to your pediatrician. It is possible to raise a healthy child on a vegetarian diet, but care must be taken to provide adequate protein.

David Robinson 12-25-2007 @ 4:22AM

A milk-free and meat-free diet for a toddler. You are risking vitamin B12 deficiency, calcium defiency and iron deficiency. Please don't!

Anji 1-06-2008 @ 6:13AM

Not according to my son's doctor - and I'm far more likely to take a qualified practitioner seriously than some dude on the internet. If you are honestly that uninformed, I would suggest you stay quiet.

Denzylle 12-25-2007 @ 10:26AM

I recommend the FatFree Vegan blog. Susan has a healthy daughter who, I believe, has been vegan all her life.

I love her recipes, altho' not being enitrely veggie, I often use real cheese or bacon where she uses vegan substitues.

Joanie 12-25-2007 @ 9:49PM

Re: the possible B-12 deficiency.

That's what B-12 vitamin supplements are for.

And the supplements needn't even be necessary. Just go to your nearest Whole Foods Market (or web site) and look at their calendar of upcoming classes. There are all sorts of classes and workshops out there for newbie vegetarians. In fact Whole Foods' web site has a great section that got me started on the path to vegetarianism.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/specialdiets/vegetarian/index.html

You and Nolan will be healthier for it and the statistics do bear that out. For example, the nation with the greatest average longevity is Japan I believe, where little red meat is ever eaten and tofu is a diet staple.

Also too, consider that if you find you are craving your old meat-eating ways, you can find great substitutes in the frozen food aisle. There are tofu hamburger crumbles that can be used in everything from tacos to pizza and lasagna; and the Quorn brand of fake "chick'n" patties are absolutely delicious. Try the ones with Gruyere cheese...I would rather have them than actual chicken anyday.

http://www.quorn.us//cmpage.aspx?pageid=471

Sabrina 12-26-2007 @ 2:26AM

My DS is allergic to dairy, wheat, and bananas, and even though I serve him (17 month old) meat and eggs regularly, he refuses to eat them. He will spit them out or throw them on the floor in favor of rice, veggies, and fruits. Even on this restricted diet (mostly apples, pears, rice, and soy milk as well as a variety of veggies) he is healthy from a vitamins-and-minerals standpoint. They do regular checks on his blood because of his diet. He is fairly thin for his age, but overall a pretty healthy kid. My DD, age 3, on the other hand cannot get enough milk, cheese, chicken, turkey, sausage...you name it. She's also really healthy, although she's at a normal weight, not overly thin, but not overweight either. I think that as long as the child eats as much of a variety as he/she is able to meat and other animal products aren't necessary. I do agree that you should talk to a healthcare professional to find out how many calories and which vitamins/minerals you child needs, and alternatives to the ones found in meat and animal products.

emily 12-26-2007 @ 11:02PM

I've been reading your blog(s) since early 2005 and have anticipated reading this topic as you have been making green lifestyle changes. I have been a vegetarian for 18 of my 31 years, with an 18month vegan stint in there as well. Although I have studied nutrition as a hobby and student for many years and believe that a child can be raised in optimal health as a vegetarian/vegan, my husband wishes to allow our daughter to eat meat and I resepct that. I do my best to buy local, organic and cruelty-free meat, dairy and poultry for both of them. My daughter however, doesn't like meat for now and I believe its because she was in MY womb and breastfed for 18 months. She'll be raised with the freedom to make her own food choices, but she'll be aware of the ethical implications - my (big) job is to make sure I educate her without judgement and projecting myself onto her. Hopefully I succeed in raising a responsible human who does her part to make this world a better place, in whatever way she can. Sorry to go on about myself, I think your plan is flawless and you are teaching your son how to respect this planet and the universe. Good job, I admire you.

Nicola 12-30-2007 @ 12:01PM

I was raised vegetarian by "hippie" parents who converted in the 60s. My sister was also raised vegetarian, but started eating meat as a young adult when she joined the Air Force. She is now a full fledged meat eater, and I, at 32, have never touched it. My son is nearly 4 and is also being raised vegetarian in our vegetarian household.

I have NEVER had a single health issue related to being raised a vegetarian. I have always been incredibly healthy, fit, and active. Getting enough fats and proteins is a piece of cake, especially if you're not thinking of taking the vegan route. Cheese, milk, eggs, tofu. All good "meat equivalents". Think about a multi-vitamin if it makes you more comfortable. We give one to our son daily because, I have to admit, he is a horribly fussy eater. Meat wouldn't solve our problems. His pediatrician has always been happy with his meat-free diet. And, at nearly four, it has never been a health issue.

Not a lot of help in making your decision, perhaps, but hopefully another voice to say, "Its normal. Its easy. It isn't really a big deal. Go for it!".

David Robinson 1-07-2008 @ 10:49PM

Dear Anji,
Firstly I am a qualified paediatrician. Unless you give supplements to prevent these complcations of being vegetarian and on a milk free diet the RISKS are high for iron, calcium and B12 deficiency. Some vegans consider taking such supplements a "contamination" of the diet.