To raise a child vegetarian?

Melissa - posted on 07/12/2010

Thank you so much to all of you who responded. It's really helpful to get this advice. I'm personally a vegetarian because I don't want to harm any living creature, and I've convinced my husband that's a good way for our daughter to start life. :) If she wants to eat meat in the future, that can be her choice. Thanks again everyone!

Crystal - posted on 07/12/2010

I have heard of the enzyme issue, but it's not as dramatic as we think. It would be difficult on an incredible small scale for the body to adjust to eating meat if it's never had any, but, as sorry as I am to say it, our bodies are designed to eat meat, and a few years of not eating it is not going to cause an evolution to our bodies.
With that being said, of course I encourage you to raise your daughter veg. The health benefits alone should convince anyone. But if you're a vegetarian for religious or spiritual reasons, or just out of compassion then making that choice for your daughter is acceptable. Making big choices for our children it's part of being a parent.

Sarah - posted on 06/01/2010

You could argue that by making her eat meat it makes it much harder for her to choose vegetarianism later in life. While, being raised by a healthy mom that eats vegetarian food herself and can explain to her why can help her to make good choices with her life and feel like she is part of a larger, more important cause than the mere feed we eat.

I have never heard of that enzyme and know of people that have been vegan for years that have 'fell off the wagon' and never had an issue digesting it...

I would really encourage you to raise her veg. it is a wonderful gift of health and compassion you can give to her!

Joelle - posted on 05/31/2010

Hi Melissa.

I raised my stepdaughter vegan from age 5, and when she was 17 yold, she decided to eat meat. After consuming loads of steak and bacon, she was quick to admit her vegan diet was superb and she felt much better eating healthy. She wanted to do some juice fasting too!



My 3 kids are vegan from tummyhood. They are very happy to not be eating little animals and their mommies. Children are more sympathetic to being vegetarians. If you raise your child vegetarian, they may want to stay that way. Never has a doctor opened up a heart disease patient and said "wow, wayyyy too much broccoli in these arteries!" but you can be sure that animal protein is one of the causes of clogged arteries and heart disease.



My advice, once your child is old enough to start making food choices....educate them on food, nutrition and their body.