Anyone Have a Vegan Child?

I was a vegan until recently, I now eat cheese and eggs occasionally. My 14 month old eats what I eat, simply because that's what's in the house. If someone offers her meat, she usually doesn't eat it because she's not used to it. She is healthy and happy and well-adjusted when it comes to food. Yes, we talk about how I don't like to eat animals and I hope she chooses the same compassionate route. I'm not militant about her eating, but really, she wants what I'm having, so it's not like I'm "controlling" her eating habits. I say more power to you for following your son's leanings toward a animal-free lifestyle.

I'm a vegetarian, still nursing, and my almost one-year old is too, pretty much by default. Whats great is that she has a really wide pallate - eats just about anything I give her, loves broccoli and tofu and even spicy food.

My husband is not vegetarian, but basically eats that way most of the time because he admits to being too lazy to cook meat for himself. I figure if my daughter really wants to eat met as she gets older, its her decision. I'm determined to not push my beliefs on her, plus doing that could backfire anyway.

I would not worry about eating disorders! A varied and healthy diet is probably better at preventing such a thing anyway. I was not raised vegetarian but several friends were and I can tell you none of them are starving themselves to death, although a few started eating meat with a vengeance as they got older!

One thing I avoid is completely restricting treats. I don't give her sweets with refined sugar at this age but I can tell she already has a sweet tooth (like her mom). My sibs and I were rarely allowed junk food, and although I have a pretty health diet now, I grew up obsessing about the Cheetoes and Hostess products that my friends were allowed to have.

So it's an old cliche' but true I think, everything in moderation, and lots of variety.

On a related note, I am looking for any good online resources or books that have tips about raising your kid vegetarian so if you have any feel free to pass them along.

Hey R.,
I just started our fam. on the Body Ecology Diet and we've been eating alot of veggies. The book says that people tend to eat in accordance to their blood type. Type A's thriving particularly on a vegetarian diet.
Ben likes pancakes so I do a lot of veggies steamed and pureed into pancake batter. He loves them. We also use alot of alternative grains; millet, amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa as they are better for the digestive system.
We've just been doing this for a few weeks now- the Body Ecology Diet, but already I've seen a change in Ben. He's been on asthma medication since he was 8 months and we've changed his diet before, but then we sort of got back in a food rut- cooking the same foods just out of convience. Luckily though his system is very sensitive and so his need for better foods is forcing us to be more mindful of eating better.
I'd say just watch the sugar/fruit intake. Too much fruit and/or processed foods can lead to an overgrowth of yeast in your system which can totally mess up digestion and cause all kinds of problems. Check out the site. www.bodyecology.com
Blessings,
J.

While I have no problem with people who choose the vegan lifestyle and I will acknowledge that if done properly it is an exceptionally healthy and balanced lifestyle (most likely superior to a diet that includes animal products), I would advise you to let your child take the lead. If he's satisfied with what he's eating and how he's living, then great! However, if at a later time he decides he wants to try different foods or do things differently then I'd allow him to express himself in that way and 'try it out' before forcing him to live a certain way (not saying you're doing that now). Continue to model your great behaviors but be supportive of the choices he might make as well.

I had a close friend from high school up until recently (having a kid and her stuff, we've lost touch) who was raised vegan.
All I can say is that her health suffered and she developed an eating disorder. Her siblings were not raised vegan, I never understood why out of 4 her mom chose her but she did.
After knowing her and her problems, and the difficulty in getting proper nutrition into a child anyway, I would suggest that you let him make his own decision later in life. Even though he will mimic you, a growing boy will need a lot of the essential vitamins and minerals best delivered via animal products!
This is your decision, and he is your son. However, I would consult with a nutritionist who understands children and vegan/vegetarianism.