Help my 8 year old doesnt want to eat meat or chicken!!

Kiera - posted on 05/02/2013

It is great that you have raised such an emotionally intelligent child, who has developed such strong morals at a young age. If your child is against eating meat, the worst thing you can do is force your views upon them. Having a vegetarian diet does not hurt anyone, least of all your daughter (quite the opposite!)... so support her, don't lie to her, she will resent you for it.

Tiffany - posted on 09/24/2009

I'm vegan, my husband and step daughter are not. I often make dishes that the meat or "meat" can be added to after the fact. I like tempeh and tofu, seitan (wheat meat) often makes a good substitute for chicken. for casseroles I often put a small one together for me without the meat. My Step daughter is allowed to choose, she will often choose the meat dish, but every now and again she likes the veg dish. One of her favs is a vegetarian pot pie baked in a bread bowl. definitely do a little research to be sure her diet is balanced, but you may find you will enjoy some of the dishes you make for her! vegweb.com has great recipes!! Good luck

Talea - posted on 09/20/2009

I wouldn't sweat it. Just give her protein via beans and other vegetarian dishes. (I am not one.) We have done this more and more and my kids don't miss the meat like they used to. I was a vegetarian for a few years as a teenager, and my oldest went through a phase where he didn't eat meat either when he was about 6. (He made the connection between the chickens in the yard and the chicken on his plate too.) He as a result is one of the only teen boys I know that will happily snarf down salads, fruits and all sorts of vegetables, believe me as it's cheaper than meat this is a good thing by the time that get to that age! lol Have it there for her should she want it when you eat it but don't pressure her. This way it doesn't become a battle. :)

Michele - posted on 09/20/2009

I am just reading this blog to see what people are saying and I want to say thank-you for all of the great vegetarian meal ideas! I also have the challenge of fixing food we all like. My son (6yrs) and I prefer mostly vegetarian but my husband is a big meat eater. I always make sure Nick gets protein, but never make him eat meat. I like to cook and usually will have leftovers in the fridge or freezer, I tend to cook meat and meatless food not to cater to my child, but to my husband and myself. Nick gets the benefit of choosing either.

Julie - posted on 09/20/2009

I would explain that she may choose not to eat meat, but she has to be very careful about her diet lacking protein and iron. It could be a phase, she's still young and figuring things out. I hope she realizes how many of her favorite foods she will have to give up if she is deciding to be a vegetarian. When I was 13 I decided to stop eating meat, but for me it was a phase. I wouldn't think you should cook seperate meals for her though, my mom never did for me. If dinner was fried chicken and potato salad, all i got was potato salad. If she cooked spaghetti, she would leave a small portion out for me before adding meat to it. It shouldn't interfere too much with meal routine, but a multivitamin is a good idea.

Victoria - posted on 09/19/2009

Hey does it really matter if your child eats meat or not? There are other ways for us to get protein. Beans,( Legumes ) heck my favorite protein is peanut butter. There are veggie burgers and tofu burgers. All kinds of things we could feed our kids to make up for not wanting to eat meat. So, at dinner when mine won't eat a lot (or enough) meat for me they eat more veggies and starches.

Tina-Marie - posted on 09/18/2009

This is either the start of a vegetarian lifestyle or just another one of those "phases" everybody talks about. Explain to her that they were put here for us to eat. My children and grew up on a dairy/cattle farm, my 5 year old still thinks hamburger says moo. I really wouldn't fret about it there are other sources she can get protein from that is the main concern. Meat is our source of soluble proteins, without these she will not grow properly and be a sickly child. Peanut butter, nuts, and tofu are good sources. A wise person once said just wait and this too shall pass. good luck and God bless

Christine - posted on 09/17/2009

I think it's fine if she doesn't want to eat meat or chicken. Try making her some vegetarian dishes and if that's the way she goes... you won't have to worry about all the hormones etc. that are fed to animals. She may grow out of it but if not---embrace it. Everyone is different and she should not feel bad if thats what she wants to do. Good luck!

Maria - posted on 09/17/2009

Make things like chicken fried rice, so that the meat doesnt really stand out, or cassorole with a little beef in it, even meaty lasagna, if the meat is hidden she wont think about an animal when shes about to eat.. and when you notice shes enjoying the dinners more, slowly start working larger portions into the meals.

Good luck and best wishes.

Tao - posted on 09/17/2009

I have been a vegetarian my entire life. I gave my son the choice, as those around us always offered him meat. He is now almost 14, and has made his own decision not to eat meat, though he does eat a little bit of fish and seafood occasionally. His final decision on meat was several years ago when I let him order a big hamburger at a restaurant in the city. He took 1 bite and couldn't eat the rest. He hasn't touched red meat since. Now, if I could just get him to finish his vegetables!

Nicole - posted on 09/16/2009

I agree with not pushing the meat. It sounds like it's not because she is being picky but because she is starting to get to an age where she is showing her own thoughts and values. I would be proud of her for being so thoughtful (even if it makes meal times more of an inconvenience) Many people seem to think that you don't have a "complete meal" unless you have meat, which I think is just part of our culture. By showing her that you respect her values you are building her self esteem and autonomy. I would look at it as a great opportunity in supporting her in growth as an individual and helping her define what's important to her. Pick your battles right? She doesn't want piercings or anything :) lol

Alison - posted on 09/16/2009

Tofu is not gross! I think it is important that you respect your daughter's decision and being a vegetarian can be VERY healthy. Maybe the two of you could see a nutritionist and learn about it together. There are a lot of protein options including eggs, cheese, beans & tofu.

Teressa - posted on 09/16/2009

don't force her to eat meat.....it's not bad, just make sure you giver protein substitutes.... tofu is really gross, I'm a vegetarian and I enjoy tempeh. it has actual texture and flavor it can be crumbled like ground beef or sliced marinated and pan seared.....really good.

Paula - posted on 09/16/2009

You can always try to eat more fish, then maybe gradually re-introduce chicken and then red meat. With the fish however, I would stay away from the canned salmon as the 'crunchiness' could freak her out lol. Tuna could be a good substitute and maybe some grilled salmon. Maybe you could get her to eat hamburger if you put it in lasanga or goulash caserols so that its 'hidden' among the sauce and noodles. Hope this helps

Sandra - posted on 09/15/2009

You can put any beans( Garbanzo, kidney etc..) In blender then add to other foods. Full of protein!!

Jenifer - posted on 09/14/2009

beans, and chickpeas are great sorces of iron and protien for non meat eater.

Lisa - posted on 09/14/2009

I stopped eating meat at age 10 and haven't touched it since. You may have to read up on the lifestyle of being a veggie. Some of my worst memories included being forced to eat meat at the table. Terrible feeling, I would be careful about making your child eat it if she feels very strongly about not eating an animal. Vegetarianism is a very healthy lifestyle but it does take some balancing to get your dietary needs met.

Amanda - posted on 09/14/2009

My Son is exactly the same - Wouldnt eat any meat for weeks.. Then we decided to cut his meat up and put onto skewars.. Now He loves to eat '"meat on a stick""

Dawn - posted on 09/13/2009

When my son was that age, he would refuse chicken, turkey and beef. I just keep putting the food in front of him and would not let him leave until he ate just one bite. slowly he began to eat the meat. I also told him that meat is put here for a reason to help us grow strong bones, I also told him god put food on this earth so we can live a long life. Well you get the hint, now all he does is eat meat and he enjoys it. It took me 7 yrs until my son finally came around and he started this whole thing at 6 yrs old. My son is now 17.

This whole thing of not wanting to eat something is a stage a child goes through, they follow what they hear from friends and family who don't like something and they think they shouldn't eat it either. So just be patient and eventually the child will come around when they are ready.

Tao - posted on 09/13/2009

Don't force her to eat meat...get creative about alternatives...Her innate wisdom may lead you to a healthier and more conscientious lifestyle.

Sue - posted on 09/13/2009

My daughter decided at about 8 years old that she was a vegetarian. She was and still is to a large extent very much against the killing of animals for food and thinks about the animal being slaughtered, etc... She is 12 now and is still very finicky over meat...will not touch lamb or pork and it depends on the day whether beef is ok or not. If your daughter will not eat meat by subterfuge, try tofu, tofurky and other meatless "meats", although the consistency of some of these is not too appealing. Also, when making soups or anything with a sauce, use chicken stock, preferably homemade, but there are also some good stocks you can buy in a box at the grocery store. My daughter still will not touch turkey, so during Thanksgiving and Christmas I give her the mashed potatoes with gravy (made from stock and all the vegetables she is willing to eat. BTW - my daughter is very healthy and as time passes, I am finding that she is more willing to try a larger variety of foods. She is still sometimes a vegetarian, but that's not all bad either.

Michele - posted on 09/12/2009

My daughter is the same way. She is so picky. So what I do is I cut them so they seem appitizing. Like for instance try cutting then into star shapes. Show her you like them too. lol. Usually if my daughter wont eat chicken I'll take a bite and I'll say mmmmm yummy do you wanna try it. And sometimes she will. I just keep working with her. hope this helps.