Forcing my kids to become vegetarians
My kids are happy omnivores. I do all the cooking and food shopping in the family, so I buy chicken and fish for the meat portion of their diets. They like pasta with chicken and veggies, chicken salad and tuna salad. They don't care for beef, except for the once a week Mc Donald's my mom gets them, so this isn't a problem. When they want hot dogs...it's gotta be the hot dogs from Whole Foods that are nitrate free, antibiotic free, growth hormone free, 100% beef.
They drink organic milk (they don't like soy or any other milks), and they like yogurt. The kids enjoy the little Bluebell vanilla cups and they eat part skim, mozarella cheese. I always make steamed broccoli, peas, carrots or green beans (at this point they don't want to eat other veggies and keep calling Okra "Oprah"! They do eat pinto beans but only my daughter likes peanut butter. They love whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread. Mac & Cheese is a treat about 1-2 a week. For breakfast they like whole wheat blueberry or regular waffles or pancakes.
Everyday for snacks and dessert, they choose from these: Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, grannysmith apples, blackberries, oranges or grapes. Watermelon is a hit, when I buy some.
Here's the problem...my husband. He says that I'm trying to turn them into vegetarians. Why? I think it's because I refuse to cook meat for him. He's at work when I cook dinner for the kids. I'm getting ready to go to my night shift job when he gets home. He's still got that macho mentality that there should be a plate of dinner, with meat, sitting on the table for him when he gets home.
We've been married a long time. This is nothing new. He knows he needs to cook for himself if the kids ate all the dinner. When I get home from work, I don't walk in and say, "Where's my breakfast?". I mean, come on! I work all night, having a meal ready for me, when I get home would be great, but do I expect that...absolutely not.
I do want the kids to have a vegetarian day once a week, after school lets out (only 2 days left). I think it will challenge them to think outside the box of a meat eating diet.
Why aren't my kids veggies now? Because there's no way my husband would ever let this happen. He told me that if I tried, he would tell their grandmother (my mom). This woman (who I love, dearly) scares the h*ll out of me and I would never, ever want her to think my kids were vegetarians. She would crucify me. If the kids ever want to become vegetarian, we're going to have to do it behind everyone's back.
Any advice on vegetarian for a day foods to keep a 9 and 12yo interested?
Original Post by sianoah:
I don't know if anyone posted this yet, but there are new guidelines that have been introduced.
About these guidelines, they are basically common sense and also should be adjusted to one's own diet.
As for your kids and hubby's meat eating. You can continue to give them meats but in smaller portions. Basically, change the visual aspect of the plate. Continue to do this until there is no meat on the plate or just a 3oz portion, whatever you feel comfortable with
You can continue to give the hubby his portion of meat even if you have a meat free meal prepared. For example make baked chicken for a few meals, portion it out for different nights and when your family has a meat free meal, he will still have his meat.
As for your mother and husband, PLEASE. These are your children. If they are going to spend the time, money, and effort that it takes to care for them and feed them, then they get a choice as to what is served in the home. If not, then its your decision. That said, your husband brings in some of the money, but you make all the meals. When he cooks then they can have meat. So I"m guessing that won't be too often.
My family has had problems with my children being vegetarian, but now that my daughter is 4 the questions have died down. My children are healthy and eat more fruits and veggies than any other children in the family. That is proof that I am making good decisions for them. If they still argue with me, I state to them what I just stated to you. I'm tired of people trying to tell me what to do with my children.
Once you take a true stand then you will find yourself in more control of your families dietary needs.
Oh, and as for the milk. My kids are being weaned on to Almond milk. The trick is to mix it with regular milk until they develop a taste for the other milk. Basically, 1oz almond, 7oz milk, until it becomes 7oz almond, 1 oz milk. It might take you a couple of months to fully switch them over, but its worth it. You can try it with any other type of milk.
You can also do veggie hotdogs with all the fixin's and veggie burgers. I used to top them with mushrooms and swiss on a sesame bun, yum.
Thank you for the suggestions about reducing the amt of meat in their meals and the almond milk. Sometimes it's like a food war around here.
It must be worse when visiting relatives.
Personally, I have to watch those people like hawks!
Choosing to be a vegetarian should be just that: a choice.
No offense, but I don't agree with forcing your kids to be vegetarian. I really hope you know what you're doing. Deficiencies in any vitamins or minerals can retard the growth of children and cause permanent damage.
Children have a high need for iron. Iron is necessary for brain development because it helps carry oxygen to the brain. A diet high in fiber can impair the absorption of iron. By the way, spinach and other leafy greens are not good sources of iron because they contain oxalates that prevents a lot of the iron from being absorbed.
What protein sources do you plan to feed your kid that isn't loaded with fiber? Faux milks would do the trick, but feeding your kid too much calcium will also impair the absorption of iron.
Maybe if you give me a sample menu of your kid's vegetarian diet, I could get a better picture. I still highly doubt that a vegetarian diet can give a growing child all of the nutrients they need without causing poor absorption of certain vitamins.
Your kid doesn't deserve to be mentally impaired or slowed in growth because you, as a parent, decided to force your moral dietary beliefs on them.
Original Post by muttlover:
Choosing to be a vegetarian should be just that: a choice.
No offense, but I don't agree with forcing your kids to be vegetarian. I really hope you know what you're doing. Deficiencies in any vitamins or minerals can retard the growth of children and cause permanent damage.
Children have a high need for iron. Iron is necessary for brain development because it helps carry oxygen to the brain. A diet high in fiber can impair the absorption of iron. By the way, spinach and other leafy greens are not good sources of iron because they contain oxalates that prevents a lot of the iron from being absorbed.
What protein sources do you plan to feed your kid that isn't loaded with fiber? Faux milks would do the trick, but feeding your kid too much calcium will also impair the absorption of iron.
Maybe if you give me a sample menu of your kid's vegetarian diet, I could get a better picture. I still highly doubt that a vegetarian diet can give a growing child all of the nutrients they need without causing poor absorption of certain vitamins.
Your kid doesn't deserve to be mentally impaired or slowed in growth because you, as a parent, decided to force your moral dietary beliefs on them.
I bet they eat better than most american kids.
Remember the standard portions for children are much less than for adults. Ex. 1/2 an apple is a child portion for a toddler. If you give your children a varied diet they will get the vitamins and minerals they need. Failure to thrive is not much of an issue here in the states.
Children who are vegetarian are not lacking much at all. Tell that to the 37 -40% of the population who are vegetarian. These people around the world who have been vegetarian for generations upon generations.
Also, Children who are vegetarian are a little smaller when growing up compared to there meat eating counterparts, but as adults they are exactly the same. Meat eating children tend to be taller and heavier but that should be attributed to how meat stays in your system (years), and what is put into those meats (hormones, antibiotics, etc).
All around the more fruits and vegetables your child eats the better, regardless of the meat issue.
Original Post by sianoah:
Remember the standard portions for children are much less than for adults. Ex. 1/2 an apple is a child portion for a toddler. If you give your children a varied diet they will get the vitamins and minerals they need. Failure to thrive is not much of an issue here in the states.
Children who are vegetarian are not lacking much at all. Tell that to the 37 -40% of the population who are vegetarian. These people around the world who have been vegetarian for generations upon generations.
Also, Children who are vegetarian are a little smaller when growing up compared to there meat eating counterparts, but as adults they are exactly the same. Meat eating children tend to be taller and heavier but that should be attributed to how meat stays in your system (years), and what is put into those meats (hormones, antibiotics, etc).
All around the more fruits and vegetables your child eats the better, regardless of the meat issue.
No.
Children actually need almost as many calories as adults do because they are growing, and at rapid rates. They are also usually much more active. They do need smaller portions because their stomachs are smaller, but that is why they need calorie-dense snacks and foods such as peanut butter, nuts, etc.
And yes, a child will fail to thrive if their parents, who have control over their diets, do not feed them the right foods, or enough.
Where are you getting the idea that 40% of the world population is vegetarian? A lot of vegetarians in countries such as India or Asian countries are so because they cannot afford meat or because of religious reasons.
Where did you hear that meat stays in your system for years?
I'm all for children eating healthy. But given their small stomachs and high calorie needs, a diet too high in fruits or vegetables may not allow them to eat enough calories.
This wasn't meant as a personal attack. I get upset when people are not informed of proper child nutrition, because it is the most important growth stage in your life.
I don't have kids or anything, but I just wanted to add that YES, being vegetarian is a choice, but so is being an omnivore. Either way, a parent makes decisions for their children until they are mature enough to make decisions for themselves. My parents made the choice to feed me animal products, and I wish they hadn't. Maybe her children will wish she hadn't made the choice to raise them vegetarian. Regardless, both are choices.
Original Post by muttlover:
Choosing to be a vegetarian should be just that: a choice.
No offense, but I don't agree with forcing your kids to be vegetarian. I really hope you know what you're doing. Deficiencies in any vitamins or minerals can retard the growth of children and cause permanent damage.
Children have a high need for iron. Iron is necessary for brain development because it helps carry oxygen to the brain. A diet high in fiber can impair the absorption of iron. By the way, spinach and other leafy greens are not good sources of iron because they contain oxalates that prevents a lot of the iron from being absorbed.
What protein sources do you plan to feed your kid that isn't loaded with fiber? Faux milks would do the trick, but feeding your kid too much calcium will also impair the absorption of iron.
Maybe if you give me a sample menu of your kid's vegetarian diet, I could get a better picture. I still highly doubt that a vegetarian diet can give a growing child all of the nutrients they need without causing poor absorption of certain vitamins.
Your kid doesn't deserve to be mentally impaired or slowed in growth because you, as a parent, decided to force your moral dietary beliefs on them.
Being an omnivore is also a choice. Everything we do is a choice. Perhaps we should be cooking meat free meals for kids considering the obesity rate is skyrocketing....
i get so fed up reading posts implying that if you raise your child as vegetarian that they will be deficient in some way. My children were all raised vegetarian (all four of them) and now at ages 25, 23, 20 and 16 are strong, fit healthy people. None of them had any major illnesses. Sigh.
Original Post by denne11:
Original Post by muttlover:
Choosing to be a vegetarian should be just that: a choice.
No offense, but I don't agree with forcing your kids to be vegetarian. I really hope you know what you're doing. Deficiencies in any vitamins or minerals can retard the growth of children and cause permanent damage.
Children have a high need for iron. Iron is necessary for brain development because it helps carry oxygen to the brain. A diet high in fiber can impair the absorption of iron. By the way, spinach and other leafy greens are not good sources of iron because they contain oxalates that prevents a lot of the iron from being absorbed.
What protein sources do you plan to feed your kid that isn't loaded with fiber? Faux milks would do the trick, but feeding your kid too much calcium will also impair the absorption of iron.
Maybe if you give me a sample menu of your kid's vegetarian diet, I could get a better picture. I still highly doubt that a vegetarian diet can give a growing child all of the nutrients they need without causing poor absorption of certain vitamins.
Your kid doesn't deserve to be mentally impaired or slowed in growth because you, as a parent, decided to force your moral dietary beliefs on them.
Being an omnivore is also a choice. Everything we do is a choice. Perhaps we should be cooking meat free meals for kids considering the obesity rate is skyrocketing....
You probably didn't mean to imply this, but I'd like to clear it up....eating meat does not cause obesity. Obesity is caused by overeating and not being active enough. To OP: raise your kids how you want, but make sure you leave them with choices. Do not lock them into vegetarianism b/c you think it's better. If they want to they'll go full veg on their own.
Original Post by prinzessin_naseimbuch:To OP: raise your kids how you want, but make sure you leave them with choices. Do not lock them into vegetarianism b/c you think it's better. If they want to they'll go full veg on their own.
But if you feed them meat, aren't you "locking them into" omnivorism?
That's just crazy. Parents feed their children what they think best. The kids can decide when they get older what they want to eat. My parents thought pizza, hamburgers and canned corn were best for me. I chose differently when I became an adult. Nothing is "locked in" whatever that means...
Original Post by adolphs:
Original Post by prinzessin_naseimbuch:To OP: raise your kids how you want, but make sure you leave them with choices. Do not lock them into vegetarianism b/c you think it's better. If they want to they'll go full veg on their own.But if you feed them meat, aren't you "locking them into" omnivorism?
That's just crazy. Parents feed their children what they think best. The kids can decide when they get older what they want to eat. My parents thought pizza, hamburgers and canned corn were best for me. I chose differently when I became an adult. Nothing is "locked in" whatever that means...
What I meant was: don't remove meat as a meal option if the kids are still okay with eating it.
Original Post by prinzessin_naseimbuch:
Original Post by adolphs:
Original Post by prinzessin_naseimbuch:To OP: raise your kids how you want, but make sure you leave them with choices. Do not lock them into vegetarianism b/c you think it's better. If they want to they'll go full veg on their own.But if you feed them meat, aren't you "locking them into" omnivorism?
That's just crazy. Parents feed their children what they think best. The kids can decide when they get older what they want to eat. My parents thought pizza, hamburgers and canned corn were best for me. I chose differently when I became an adult. Nothing is "locked in" whatever that means...
What I meant was: don't remove meat as a meal option if the kids are still okay with eating it.
And what if the parent doesn't want to handle meat products? They should be forced to touch it and cook it even if it makes them sick or they are morally opposed to it?
i don't agree with "forcing" your kids to be vegetarians when you've already discovered they are HAPPY omnivores. You said it, they are "happy" with eating it so I think it's best to allow them to remain happy by providing them with sustainable meats, organic, free-range, and grass fed...and let them eat it.
For easy veggie meals that kids love...
1. try making vegetarian chili and put it in bread bowls and top with cheese
2. broccoli, potato, and cheese soup with bread
3. alfredo pasta with broccoli
4. pancakes with fresh berries and whipped cream...omelets too
5. stir fry with rice, mixed veggies, and scrambled eggs with spring rolls
6. french toast (any time is good, brunch for dinner works)
7. baked potatoes with chili on top or broccoli and cheese
8. vegetarian lasagna
**hope this helps some!
oh dear - "locking" them in?? the idea that i could even try to do that with my kids is a joke!!
i could say so much but i won't lower the tone of the thread :)))) lol
It is so funny how people get all upset about not feeding children meat, but these people don't say anything about how most children in this country survive on a steady diet of junk food, McDonald's and KFC. Children as young as 2 years old already have artherosclerosis, over 30% of the children in this country are OBESE, and diabetes in children is skyrocketing. If a parent actually wants to put some thought and care into what they feed their children, whether it's vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore - more power to them! That is more than most people can say - all the lazy people who just go through the drive thru every night and hand over the greasy bag to their kid so they can grow up (hopefully) to be fat and unhealthy just like their parents. It makes me sick... :(
Original Post by prinzessin_naseimbuch:
Original Post by denne11:
Original Post by muttlover:
Choosing to be a vegetarian should be just that: a choice.
No offense, but I don't agree with forcing your kids to be vegetarian. I really hope you know what you're doing. Deficiencies in any vitamins or minerals can retard the growth of children and cause permanent damage.
Children have a high need for iron. Iron is necessary for brain development because it helps carry oxygen to the brain. A diet high in fiber can impair the absorption of iron. By the way, spinach and other leafy greens are not good sources of iron because they contain oxalates that prevents a lot of the iron from being absorbed.
What protein sources do you plan to feed your kid that isn't loaded with fiber? Faux milks would do the trick, but feeding your kid too much calcium will also impair the absorption of iron.
Maybe if you give me a sample menu of your kid's vegetarian diet, I could get a better picture. I still highly doubt that a vegetarian diet can give a growing child all of the nutrients they need without causing poor absorption of certain vitamins.
Your kid doesn't deserve to be mentally impaired or slowed in growth because you, as a parent, decided to force your moral dietary beliefs on them.
Being an omnivore is also a choice. Everything we do is a choice. Perhaps we should be cooking meat free meals for kids considering the obesity rate is skyrocketing....
You probably didn't mean to imply this, but I'd like to clear it up....eating meat does not cause obesity. Obesity is caused by overeating and not being active enough. To OP: raise your kids how you want, but make sure you leave them with choices. Do not lock them into vegetarianism b/c you think it's better. If they want to they'll go full veg on their own.
No, eating meat does not cause obesity. But there aren't alot of veggo options at BK or KFC. I was just comparing that the "norm" right now is to eat meat, but the "norm" right now is also starting to be obese kids. Yes, these kids are also inactive and eat junk. Typical when parent's give more thought into producing healthy meals, they also turn off the video games and the kids go play.
Original Post by chrissy1988:
i don't agree with "forcing" your kids to be vegetarians when you've already discovered they are HAPPY omnivores. You said it, they are "happy" with eating it so I think it's best to allow them to remain happy by providing them with sustainable meats, organic, free-range, and grass fed...and let them eat it.
For easy veggie meals that kids love...
1. try making vegetarian chili and put it in bread bowls and top with cheese
2. broccoli, potato, and cheese soup with bread
3. alfredo pasta with broccoli
4. pancakes with fresh berries and whipped cream...omelets too
5. stir fry with rice, mixed veggies, and scrambled eggs with spring rolls
6. french toast (any time is good, brunch for dinner works)
7. baked potatoes with chili on top or broccoli and cheese
8. vegetarian lasagna
**hope this helps some!
While making/keeping your kids happy is important, I really don't think this is a reason not to implement change. Lots of kids are happy sitting all day and eating McDonald's. Does that not mean you should not try to get them to eat carrots? No. Making the transition too quickly or never allowing them dessert would be extreme, but you are their parent first, then their friend.
Making a choice that allows your children to lead healthier and more sustainable (and more ethical, in my opinion) lives should not be dismissed just because it makes them temporarily unhappy.
Statistics can be found in many books and references. You can find them online too. As for the vegetarian 40% reference and meat in your system reference. I have a background in research so I try to post things with the best of intentions/information.
From what we have been writing about though it seems as if everyone is in agreement about some things:
Chilldren need the best diet possible (whatever it is)
A variety of healthy, unprocessed, simple foods is what a child needs
The effects of childhood obesity in America associated with our diets is a real and visual problem.
So why then not give them a diet that is more vegetarian or completely vegetarian? Obviously a diet laden with too much meat, fat, fried, or processed foods is not the way to go.
Okay in advance, sorry I've not read this whole thing but I'd like to offer my experience and advice.
I'm not a mother but I have been a vegetarian since I was nine years old. This was a personal choice. I was (and still am) freaked out by meat. I used to skirt around eating my chicken even though I liked the taste cos they had little red bits on them. Then I just got to a point where MacDonald's, which was meant to be a rare treat, wasn't enjoyable cos the burger was dry and all I could think about was that I was eating a dead cow. I got grissle in my sausages and it made me go off them too. Essentially I just went off all the meats I ate because they disgusted me. And one day I just told my mum I didn't want to eat meat anymore (and haven't since). She never pushed me into this, nor did she protest. She just accepted it. When family meals were made with meat, I just got extra veggies instead (which I was very pleased with as I always loved my veggies!)
It wasn't too difficult for my mum (who did all the cooking in those days - now I cook for my parents cos they're both too lazy!) But she always made a point of making sure I got enough protein to compensate. Now as a veggie yourself you will know how to ensure this, so that's not an issue but my mum always gave me chocolate milkshake (Nesquick has added vitamins now and the chocolate takes the taste of milk away - The taste of milk alone makes me vomit but I'm not allergic as I can have in in things) I also used to drink Yazoo but I don't think they have vitamins. Another thing my mum used to do was make sure I had plenty peanut butter, which is full of protein. She would also give me mixed nuts and raisins with the added incentive of chocolate chips to convince me to eat them lol. My sister was and still is an omnivore and so are my parents.
You sound like you're feeding your kids a balanced diet and lots of good veg and not too many sweets. But I don't think you should enforce a vegetarian day. Explain to them what being a vegetarian means by all means but they eat veggies with their meat, they know what things they like and they'll know if they'll miss meat. Its a personal choice not one which should be forced upon them. As I said I was the age of your youngest when I made the decision to become vegetarian all on my own, if your kids want that, they will tell you, just make it clear that they have the right to choose and they have options.
I don't plan to keep my own children vegetarian. My fiance is a meat-eater and its never been a problem. We both cook and he's happy to eat my veggie meals when I cook. I'd prefer him to handle the meat, as he'd be eating it himself as well but I'd rather give my kids it than not until they can make their own choice because they should not be lacking in any food groups until they can understand that it must be balanced out as well.
I have a friend whose mother is vegan and raised her vegan. They've both been vegetarian at points but she's never eaten meat in her life. She spends all her time shoving it down everyone's throats as if she's better than everyone else - you don't want your kids to turn out like that!
