Anyone raising their children vegetarian...

ME - posted on 07/31/2009

This is all super...thanks for the advice and support. I have no prob with my son being a veg (his 'choice'), not mine...I just was concerned about his health, but from what you all are saying, there doesn't seem to be any reason to worry!

Tamacinn - posted on 07/29/2009

We are vegetarian, and I am close to vegan and my son is growing wonderfully. I have tried him on meat more like white meat chicken and turkey, and fish. Sometimes he will eat it but not usually. I was concerned about him getting enough and my doctor said it is fine. Many children don't like meat. We don't do much soya products, he doesn't like soy milk, or cows milk, really not any milk at all, we drink a lot of water and teas. He is very big for his age but so is daddy. One of his fav's is my veg chili, so funny. Ya, and he can't eat eggs, he gets hives.

Jess And Mona - posted on 07/24/2009

Not to offend anyone at all.. But it is my personal beliefs that have led me to raising my daughter vegetarian - AT LEAST until she is fully aware of what meat is, and makes the decision to eat it on her own. I just feel that she is so small and precious and it seems wrong to give her flesh of another creature to chew on when she isnt even aware that what she is eating is an animal! I would not be upset with her if she did choose to be a carnivore... but that is the thing.. I want her to CHOOSE it, not be "forcefed" it. I know I wish I had the option to not eat meat when I was little.. and I was forced to eat meat.

Her pediatrician said that the things we were feeding her in place of meat are perfectly acceptable and healthy... they just told us JUST IN CASE she was missing out on some of that b12 to go ahead and let her have a childrens flintstone vitamin everyday- which she loves and does well with!

My daughter LOVES veggie patties (we cook them on the george forman, no microwave!) I think with anything in life though the kids need a variety of food, veggie or not.

Jess - posted on 07/20/2009

My daughter is not a vegetarian, but I do not feed her red meat yet, when I do feed her that it will be organic because of all of the fillers dyes and hormones added to most red meat. She eats chicken, ground turkey, canned chunk light tuna & canned + fresh salmon. She eats a TON of fruits and veggies, cheese, breads etc.

She does not eat meat everyday, but she takes vitamins that cover the iron. Also, dark green veggies are another good source of iron. To help with protein, I feed her beans.; they can be served as a soup or finger food.I am not introducing her to nuts until age 3, but they can be a fantastic source of protein, also nut butters are great. My daughter also loves cream cheese and jelly sandwiches.

Like any person make sure she gets a variety of food and anything that she may be lacking without meat. Being a vegetarian yourself, you are probably aware of this.

If you plan to serve fish here is a good website as mercury can be problematic:

gotmercury.com


Here are some other websites that you may find helpful:

http://www.mypyramid.gov/tips_resources/...
http://www.superkidsnutrition.com/nutrit...
http://www.whfoods.com/
http://www.ifood.tv/network/vegetarian_c...

I hope this helps.

Best luck!

Erin - posted on 07/16/2009

My daughter drinks soy milk and eat soy yogurt and we do not give her much red meat bc I don't eat it. Her pedi has no concerns with her drinking soy all the time - I too was concerned about too much soy but I'm not any longer. The doc said if she eat cheese she will get what she is lacking from drinking cows milk but she will not eat that or eggs anymore. She loves spinach and fish so I feel she is getting what she needs.

Geneva - posted on 07/15/2009

as long as you are making choices to supplement what you would normally get from animal proteins then you know what to offer your child so that he has a balanced diet. If you want to offer meat - I know my son loves fish grilled or lightly crusted - tilapia, sole, & salmon are some of the things he's had. He's probably too young to know enough to choose for himself anyway & I know a lot of kids like to eat what they see their parents eating. Also worth mentioning - my son was breastfed & when we switched to cow's milk he wasn't thrilled either - downright refused it, but I kept offering & it didn't take too long for him to take to it. As for the weight - don't forget that their caloric requirement plummets after their first birthday, & so does their growth.

ME - posted on 07/15/2009

Quoting Katrina:

My child is a vegetarian by her choice not mine. I can not get her to eat meat or eggs. She will eat yogurt and cheese and for other reasons we give her goat's milk to drink. I spoke with my doctor about it because I was afraid she was missing something but she said not to worry about it. As she grows if she still won't eat many foods my doctor said she will work with us on what to feed her to make sure she is getting everything she needs. Try talking to your doctor about it he/she will at least put your mind at easy that your child is getting everything he needs.

WOW...thank you so much! I though maybe it was my fault because I"m a veg. and you know how they say that what you eat while you are pregnant and breastfeeding affects the choices that your child makes about food...anyway, I will talk to my ped at Miles' 18 month appt. I will try not to worry about it any more until then!

Katrina - posted on 07/13/2009

My child is a vegetarian by her choice not mine. I can not get her to eat meat or eggs. She will eat yogurt and cheese and for other reasons we give her goat's milk to drink. I spoke with my doctor about it because I was afraid she was missing something but she said not to worry about it. As she grows if she still won't eat many foods my doctor said she will work with us on what to feed her to make sure she is getting everything she needs. Try talking to your doctor about it he/she will at least put your mind at easy that your child is getting everything he needs.

Beth - posted on 07/13/2009

Well my only concern would be your childs iron levels which the doctor will check, but the have a mind of their own!!! Wish ya good luck!