I mean, it's fine for me to make certain dietary choices for myself and even for the Bear, but do I have the right to make these choices for my kids? Is it healthy? Is it safe? Is it even legal??
There's certainly no shortage of cookbook authors and bloggers offering up family-friendly recipes (I've made several from this book that have gotten my nephews up for seconds), all of whom swear adamantly that their kids love being vegan...but I've always been curious about what the kids actually have to say about it themselves.
For anyone else who's been curious about raising a vegan family, here's a little inspiration...
Belated kudos to my dear friend Marla Rose and her awesomely cool kid Justice, the 9-year old vegan, whose simple school video project has recently inspired an international dialogue and continues to feed a healthy global debate:
Can't say for sure that this video sparked this special interest piece, but ABC just aired the Special Segment: Growing Up Vegan:
I suppose I need not make these kinds of decisions until I actually have kids, but I'm rabidly curious about the concept nonetheless. Anyone else out there having a good experience raising vegan kids? If so, please share!!
Watching the news segment, I'm struck again by false assumptions: 1. parents raising their kids vegan have to be really careful that they get all their nutrients. Don't parents raising omnivores have to take the same precautions? Of course they do! In fact the lack of fruits and vegetables consumed by most kids makes them far more likely to be lacking in nutrients. 2. If you are vegan or a vegan child you MUST take supplements. There are food sources for things like Vitamins D and B12 now. It fascinates me that even from the experts, there is still wildly inaccurate information. On the other hand, this segment showed a more positive view of the issue - and Justice's video as fantastic! Great job, Justice!
ReplyDeleteGood point Colette! Personally, I've always thought that fruits and veggies collectively cover MORE of the must-have nutrient list - would love to know if that assumption is accurate. Any insights?
DeleteIt's like you read my mind, Colette. Thanks for posting!
DeleteI agree with everything Colette said. While my kids are not being raised vegan it wasn't for lack of trying. If I had raised them that way from birth I dont' think it would have been an issue. My kids do love veggies far more then the average kid and they no longer like many of the animal based foods they once loved. I'm slowly winning the battle. Fortunatly my pediactrican is not only suportive of a plant based diet, he easts plant based!Thank goodness I don't have to worry about him reporting me to anyone. I do wish I lived in a community that was more open minded.
ReplyDeleteWow, how awesome that you found a "plant-based pediatrician" in your community :)
DeleteGood 'food for thought' blog! I have had the same quandaries - also w/out having kids yet. I know my mom made fresh veggies for me as a baby and small child vs. Gerber and to this day I LOVE veggies! I am certain that is directly correlated with her choice.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it, what I serve for dinner is what is available for dinner! Of course I'll be open to likes and dislikes of my family, but if I am at least feeding them healthy at home, then they can explore more options outside of the home. I want them to have as many experiences as possible so they can make more informed choices. Hopefully, finding ways to make healthy food taste great will help when they try McDonald's! Maybe their very truthful and clean systems will say, 'THIS IS GROSS!'
I am actually going to be experimenting with our food choices and prep while on the road! My fiance and I are moving into an RV and are looking forward to eating locally as we travel through the US! It should be a pretty interesting transition! Follow us on http://rvlivingusofa.blogspot.com/
Oooh how fun!!! Enjoy your adventure and buon appetito!!!
DeleteGreat blog! I have raised all 7 of my children vegetarian, and they are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you so much Melanie. And WOW, 7 vegetarian kids - you're my new hero!! Bravissima =)
DeleteThanks for sharing this; I often feel quite alone as a mom feeding my family a vegan diet. I was somewhat forced into raising my kids vegan since birth, as they are both allergic to dairy and eggs. I had been a vegetarian for years before making the switch due to their allergies, and it has really been such a blessing. Because I couldn't fall back on the standard mac and cheese for lunch everyday, I have had to take such care with what I feed to my children, making most things myself to make sure they are allergy-safe. I think my children are thin because you just don't get as big without cow's milk to fatten you up, but they do not get sick very often, have tons of energy, and seem to be growing just fine. We have been taught in our culture that we need to eat certain foods to grow and be healthy, but God has given us way more options for nourishment on this wonderful earth than we take advantage of.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience Allison - I think it's awesome that so many moms are going back to making food at home. Very inspiring!
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