Raising Vegetarian Child

You'd probably love the book "Disease Proof Your Child" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. He's a family practice doc that's done some research on the link between diet and immune function. He basically doesn't see the need for meat in a child's diet more than a couple times a week. The book also has recipes in it. Good luck!

B.,
I too am a vegeterian. I started out raising my kids veg. too and then there were just too many influences. Your kids are going to eat what they want to eat, whether you want that for them or not. By raising them veg. the first couple of years, it has given them a better selection for making healthier choices. Like my 6yr old son loves real hotdogs(kosher of course), but prefers veggie bacon anyday to the real stuff. If your son wants to try meat, etc. then I say let him and let the only time he eats it be when your at your families house or out to eat. My kids try everything and I've found they don't really even like most meat so I tend not to make it an issue-which I think can become a problem all in itself! Hope this gives you a little insight.
Blessings,
E.

Hi B.,

I have been a vegetarian since I was 9. I am now.. ummm... well 37 : ). I have a 3 1/2 year old that so far has been a Vegetarian. It isn't always easy as my husband is not a Vegetarian nor is anyone else in either of our families except my mom who is in another state. However, my husbnd understands that while Cailan, my daughter can't make an informed choice I feel like I need to make it in alignment with my beliefs. I am getting to the point where I see her wanting to have what other kids eat and I will let her make her own choice.
I also have found that kids can be really picky eaters and she is not at all impressed with any of the meat alternatives. I do wonder if she like meat if and when she tries it out. We order cheeseburger Happy meal with no meat at McDonalds so that she can get the toy. She is very good at eating fruits and some veggies but not many. She does like salad as long as it has yummy dressing. She loves mushrooms (especially portabella), corn rice and now beans too. She loves pasta! I have found that it is a process and not one that I totally have figured out but I do wish you the best of luck on your path.
Simply,
C.

Hi, B.. I, myself, am not a vegetarian, but I thought you might find this website useful. It is the vegetarian society, the home page is found at www.vegsoc.org. The link below is for an infant diet free of meat.

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/infant.html

Good luck!
S. B.

Hi B.,

I have been a vegetarian mainly since I was 14 (I say "mainly" b/c I did go thru a meat-eating time when I was around 20'ish). But anyways, my husband is mostly veg. he does eat some chicken. But I do NOT cook meat or even buy meat. He eats it when he is at work or sometimes when we eat out.

We have a 14 month old daughter who we are raising to be veg. And until she is about 12ish she won't be allowed to eat meat even if she wants to try it before then. Just like I will not let her eat cake, ice-cream, soda at this point just b/c other people are letting their kids eat that type of food. At this age it is really hard to explain things. But we just say something like "We don't eat that kind of food. It is not healthy for us." And then distract her with her own food.

I think it can be difficult but definetely possible to raise vegetarian children. I know an older woman who raised her 3 daughters as vegetarians. And an older couple who raised their son as a vegetarian.

Anyways, email if you want to talk or meetup.

Are your oldest children vegeterians?