Silly Doctors!

Candace - posted on 05/04/2013

I have the same experience with my PED's. Although, my son is allergic to eggs and milk, so I did not get a lot of lectures on those. But when we went vegan a few years ago, I just started a new approach with the doctors. I just tell them what they want to hear. No kidding. When they ask if my kids are getting enough iron, or protein etc... I just tell them yes. It is not worth getting the "protein" lecture or the "calcium" lecture etc. from them. It is sad that more Dr.'s do not get educated about nutrition and are more concerned with treating your symptoms with drugs then curing your disease or ailment with healthy foods. How often do you hear a dr tell you to go home and have a few green smoothies and some oranges, instead of Amoxicillin. I know what to feed my kids and telling me that they are not getting a balance of nutrition without eating the dairy and meat, is just rubbish.
My biggest issue these days with the Dr's is Flouride. Ick! If you have not read up on this toxin, you should. I constantly hear about the fact that we do not use flouride toothpaste, and we do not drink tap water etc. My kids and I both have perfect teeth, but the dr's continue to ask me if my kids are getting enough tap water. UGH!!!

Keep up the good work Veg moms - we always know what is best!!

Amanda DiMichele - posted on 03/26/2013

Hi Twilight Gilles,

My girls just turned 1 and my mother in load has been breathing down my neck about me wanting to raise them vegan :(.....bah!

I just wanted to know if you could offer me any nutritional advice? They're first year doctors appointment is quickly approaching and I'd like to make sure everyone gets shut up once and for all!

Thanks and more power to you for sticking to your guns!

Marielle - posted on 10/19/2010

it seriously annoys me when people ask me "are you going to make your baby vegan too?" like come-on people, if you are religious you raise your child with those beliefs, right? veganism is a lifestyle more than just a diet. i may have gone vegan overnight but i have never had a problem with nutrients.. i've done my research!
anywho, i understand people's concern. expecially when there are so many lazy vegans/vegetarians out there... it's just a pet peeve that i wanted to vent about.
my doctor kinda just gave me a blank stare when i told him we are vegan, and then asked the next question. i think he trusted me =)

Johanne - posted on 09/22/2010

Like I always say, doctors need more nutrition classes in med school!

Lindi - posted on 09/04/2010

I recently took my 3 kids (8,7,3) for their well checks. Our pediatrician is very well respected in our city. She sits on several boards of hosp. etc., and is always getting an award of some type. All that to say, at out appt. I talked to her about our vegetarian diet and she was thrilled and ecstatic. She continued by telling me all the ways that it was great for the kids as long as we are doing what it sounds like you are- serving balanced meals. So.....there's a Dr.'s opinion for you. Way to go mom! You are doing great.

Carrie - posted on 07/22/2010

my Daughter found a vegetarian Dr. She loves that!

Anne - posted on 05/01/2010

I'd make sure to rub it in before switching doctors! Good for you :-)

Sarah - posted on 04/14/2010

I would honestly look into a local Naturopathic doctors (NDs) in your area if (Like I ) you think a lot of doctors have God complexes are are full of it most times. They tend to be A LOT more supporting of veg*nism and any sort of natural parenting.

http://www.naturopathic.org/

Tiffany - posted on 03/18/2010

I'm going to continue the trend and suggest another pediatrician! It amazes me that highly-educated people like doctors can be so totally ignorant of the possibility of a healthy vegetarian/vegan diet.
Keep up the good work!

Cletus (kathleen) - posted on 03/17/2010

Yeah, I'd find another Dr. My sons ped. is awesome, doesn't push things, listens when I have a concern and is fine with us being vegetarians.
I'd totally call to say I told you so, but I am bitter and hold tend to hold grudges.

Ruby - posted on 03/01/2010

I agree, find another doc. There are a lot better ones out there. You don't need to be "scolded" by a doctor. I am lucky though, thier ped is a vegetarian, too :)

Jenny - posted on 02/19/2010

We have a vegetarian Pediatrician. He supports us 100%. I have a 9 yr old, 4 yr old and an 8 month old baby. All healthly!

Laura - posted on 02/18/2010

It is a sad thing how most doctors are ignorant when it comes to nutrition. That just blows my mind.

Amy - posted on 01/23/2010

Wow--I'm sorry you've had such a hard time with your doctor. My husband and I were both raised vegetarian and are raising our two children vegetarian. We're Seventh-day Adventist and many people in our denomination are vegetarian. We were happy to find a Seventh-day Adventist pediatrician because we don't ever have to explain or defend our choice to raise our kids vegetarian. She understands our reasons and supports them. If I were you, I would check into other options for doctors. It's really great to have a doctor who is supportive.

Rachael - posted on 05/14/2009

I would agree... get a new doc. I have a no tolerance policy for doctors giving me that crap (who me stubborn never!) or about any of my parenting choices (no vax, no well baby check ups, no hospital birth etc) and my daughter thrives. She is balanced, healthy smart and almost never sick so personally they can just can it.



If your doctor is like this everytime is he/she really someone you trust in the well being of your child, do you trust to talk to them about anything? If not, it might be time for a change.



Go you for doing it your own way!

Alison - posted on 03/25/2009

yeah sounds like your doing everything fine..find a new doc.

Christine - posted on 02/06/2009

I fully agree with you. My son is a self proclaimed vegetarian...he has never eaten meat. I call his "self proclaimed" since if you were to set a veggie chickun chunk in from of him and a real chicken part, he will spit out the chicken part and eat the chickun...crazy huh? As a result everyone is vegetarian to make it easier on me. We just switched doctors and when he hear that we were vegetarians he said that I should have my son on vitamins (not blood work, just because he doesn't eat meat.) I asked him to examine other kids diets first....most 20 month olds don't like spinach and quinoa with garbanzo beans for dinner....or lima beans and polenta balls as snacks. I wanted to laugh, but contained myself and switched doctors. 

User - posted on 02/06/2009

WOW! I think I'd find another dr. haha--Thankfully, my pediatrician hasn't said much--actually, I don't think I told him. My child is 2 and is incredibly healthy and bright. I take her for her well baby checks and she's been great also on a mostly vegan diet. I say mostly because there are so many others in her life that give her this food, but each day I pack her a lunch and her breakfast and most dinners are vegan. I do great with veggies and fruits and balancing all of that, but wonder sometimes that I don't give her enough grains. What is your opinion? She has brown rice a couple of times per week and oatmeal every day w/ blueberries or raisins. I'm wondering about iron though. She's incredibly healthy and I'm not seeing an thing wrong--but I"m always looking to "perfect" what I'm feeding her. We are definatley rare--I feel like I'm the only one in my community. My natural Dr. has not checked her numbers for about a year--but that's basically because we haven't been in to see her in so long--she's so healthy.

What are your thoughts? I buy organic, and use fresh or frozen produce--and know the importance of whole foods (fruits and vegetables). I really try to stay away from processed foods. Sounds like you are more obsessed than me! :-)