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The decision to raise my own children on a vegetarian diet was not necessarily an easy one. From a vegetarian's standpoint, I was hard pressed to find a reason against it. Our pediatrician suggested giving our children an iron supplement, then confessed he wished he'd raised his own four children on a vegetarian diet as well.
Starting children out in life on a diet consisting of nothing but what the earth produces sets them up for a life-long love of healthy eating. Knowing that I can do that for my children is enough to make me really proud of my decision, however there was a time when I really thought about giving them a little meat in their diet due to peer-pressure from fellow parents.
Some opinionated mothers and fathers have told me that I am depriving my children of proper nutrients. As I said in my article "Why become a vegetarian", we really have no nutritional need to eat meat these days. We can get everything we need nutritionally from the earth. The days of hunting to survive don't exist within the city limits of Cincinnati, and like most vegetarian parents I would never deprive my children of anything they needed to be healthy, active and happy.
During my first pregnancy, many people asked what I planned to do when my child was old enough to ask why he didn't eat meat. I gave them all the same canned answer--if he really wants a hamburger that badly, I'd be the first one to buy it for him. However, before I buy that burger, I want my child to be informed of exactly where it came from and what alternatives there are to eating meat. I want them to see a cow up close, pet him on his fuzzy nose and look in to his big defenseless eyes. I want my children to know that that is what people eat when they consume beef. When they are old enough to make an informed, educated decision, then it will be their choice. Children are naturally curious, so I won't be disappointed if they do decide to eat meat down the road. I know I am equipping them with the ability to make the best decision for themselves on their own, and knowing that is enough for me. But for now, the decision rests on my shoulders and I decide to keep them meat-free.
Some parents struggle with this same decision, others want their children to be on a meat-free diet but have a difficult time getting their children to eat vegetables. My solution for that? It's all in the presentation. If you give your children visually-pleasing plates of good foods, they are much more likely to want to eat them than if you just sit a plate of steaming broccoli down and say "dig in". MorningStar Farms, Boca, Quorn and LightLife are some of the many name brands that produce meat-free alternatives to kids favorite foods like corn dogs, chicken nuggets, lunch meats and more. This makes it easier to get them on a vegetarian diet without stirring the pot too much visually. It can be a difficult decision to make, but living a vegetarian lifestyle is healthy for anyone who choses to do it, even those too young to decide for themselves.
Comments
I'm really enjoying your articles! I know several middle-aged adults who have been vegetarians their entire lives. They are vigorous, healthy folks with sharp minds, and seem to be avoiding the chronic illnesses we so often encounter during this stage of life.
I loved your latest article on raising your children vegetarian, but I especially loved the picture. So neat how you spelled out LOVE with the vegetables. :-)
This is a great article and resource for ALL young parents. Thanks so much for the information!
Again not a vegetarian here but I do see that some people that follow this lifestyle fall into the trap of eating high sugar foods and lots of processed breads and things like that. I love that in the article you focus on the Earth for the food.
My parents raised 7 children as vegetarian. They starten in 1930. I have also raised two children as vegetarian. No problem at all.
@rno: Have your children remained vegetarians? My boys are young, but are healthy as can be and really seem to get sick much less than other children their age. I credit this largely to their vegetarian diet. Did you notice this while raising your children?
My son (born in 1984) and daughter (born in 1982) are still vegetarian. Sometimes I think my son is more vegetarian than me.
I grew up with 5 brothers and a sister. Only one brother started to eat meat.
That is awesome to hear! I hope my children remain vegetarian, but time will tell. Being around a family full of vegetarians has to make it easier for young ones to continue living that way. Have you noticed any health benefits with your family? Fewer illnesses, less colds, things like that?
I don't remember when it was the last time that I had a little flu.
The last time I stayed at home (working) was a problem with my knee.
Omnivores are also healthy, most of the time. But health is not my priority. I don't like to eat fear.
@rno,
Couldn't agree more. I didn't become a vegetarian for health reasons by any means. Thanks for the comments! I appreciate your insight, and it's really inspiring to hear about your family of vegetarians.
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