Seeking all Vegetarian Moms: I know vegetarians who don't let their children eat certain candy, such as starbursts and such, because they are made using Horse parts.
Well, my daughter is in 3rd grade, loves horses and has been an avid horserider since the age of 2. She wants grow up to be a veterinarian as a profession.
She recently told me she wanted to be a vegetarian. She told me she doesn't want to eat her patients, or the horses that she rides. I am not a veggie. I would love to be one myself, but I have never found the disicipline to follow up on it in a very thorough way in the past.
However, I am very supportive of helping her to be a vegetarian and I am doing it with her, which makes her ecstatic that her mother will do this with her. Then I remembered about my friend who won't eat the very candy my daughter absolutely loves. My daughter hates chocolate - just loves the jelly beans etc.
I don't have alot of time or money currently to go out searching and buying certain types of 'her' candy. If there are veggie type jelly beans, it seems to be a bit out of my range for my financial circumstances. Stop & Shop has all the other veggie food to supply us at a reasonable price.
Any veggie Moms out there have any suggestions? Or are willing to tell me if this 'candy' issue is a big part of being a veggie. It seems like it would be.
I am helping her do this slowly, not cold turkey, so I have some time to figure this out. I am interested in anyones ideas/advice/sharings what they do?
Thanks in advance! I have to admit that you all have been great with your advice on my previous requests. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Well it sounds to me like your little girl is very mature in her thinking!! How many third graders think about what they're eating in relation to what they want to be when they grow up?
I have been a vegetarian for 11 years so I should be able to shed a little light on this subject. The ingredient that you're looking to avoid is gelatin. Lot's of gummy/chewie candies have it, but there are some that might surprise you, like altoids. Surprisingly, starburst jelly beans do not have gelatin (at least last time I checked) and neither do jelly belly. You should also watch out for things that contain beef fat or "animal shortening". A lot of hostess products have those ingredients. Once you read a few labels and start to remember what you should buy for her, it gets very easy. My eyes are trained to find those things now every time i pick up something new.
I applaud you for helping your daughter on her journey to becoming a vegetarian and not discouraging her.
If you ever want any other advice on being a vegetarian or need some meal ideas, I'm here for you. My husband is a chef and comes up with some really great things for me and my daughter (who we're also raising vegetarian even though my husband is a meat-eater).
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B.R.
answers from
Springfield
on
Whole Foods and Trader Joes sells vegan candy. We've tried some and the kids don't notice the difference.
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J.F.
answers from
New London
on
I'm not sure if you are near a health food store. But there is a whole foods store in Glastonbury and a small one in Norwich. They have alternative foods of all kinds. My family is vegetarian and I try to be vegan although I love cheese. So I try. It does take a little extra effort at first but once you get into it then it will become second nature. I am able to make all kinds of snacks for my kids. I found vegan fluff so I can make rice crispies. I have other people try them and they can't tell the difference. And brownies I use soy yogurt instead of eggs. They are awesome. People ask me to make them all the time. You can find vegan or vegetarian mixes at Stop and Shop. They are really getting quite the variety of foods. It's great. Hope that helped.
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C.R.
answers from
Boston
on
How awesome that you are such a supportive mom, willing to jump right in and participate with your daughter! I know people define being a vegetarian in different ways- could you still encourage her to eat things like yogurt, cheese and eggs, since they are only "gifts" from her future patients?
Here's a great link to a "make your own Gummi's" kit:
