Any Vegetarian/Vegan Ledgies?

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by chriskisn

The one thing that annoys me about those who aren't vegetarians is that when a vegetarian says "I don't eat meat" or "I'm a vegetarian", the first thing most people respond with is "I couldn't do that," or "I like meat too much", or "We are meant to eat meat", etc. I never asked the meat eater to become vegetarian. Those that preach their vegetarianism are no better. Discuss yes, argue, preach and criticise no.

An interesting aspect of this thread, for me, is the number of vegetarians/vegans who post who have no children. Aside from my own food preferences, it is difficult to get the right vitamins, nutrients and fuel into my 1 year old without fish or meat. She only eats fish but I can't abandon that. I saw Jannie C posting so maybe she has discovered a better diet than me. Yes I prefer an organic and mainly vegetarian diet but until kids get into their teens, I don't think it is appropriate that they are entirely vegetarian.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

An interesting aspect of this thread, for me, is the number of vegetarians/vegans who post who have no children. Aside from my own food preferences, it is difficult to get the right vitamins, nutrients and fuel into my 1 year old without fish or meat. She only eats fish but I can't abandon that. I saw Jannie C posting so maybe she has discovered a better diet than me. Yes I prefer an organic and mainly vegetarian diet but until kids get into their teens, I don't think it is appropriate that they are entirely vegetarian.

I eat fish, so Laney does too. My mother in law makes salmon patties that she adores. Our pediatrician fully supports our decision to go this route (even before we told him she would be eating fish) and he is an older doctor that has been around for many years. I trust him completely. He actually thinks it's healthier to raise a child this way.

Her appetite SUCKS lately. At 14 months, I'm lucky if I can't get anything other than fruit into her. Laney is a Frutitarian. I try not to stress over it too much though- I try to stay mellow and just re-introduce food to her from time to time.

[jenniferuk]

We eat fish and dairy and fish cakes are a favourite around here, too. All of my children go through 'picky' phases--last week the 3 yr old said no to nearly everything aside from yogurt and blueberries and today it's no to those and 'yes please mummy' to carrots, dried cereal, and 'things to dip in salsa'. Our ped assures me that this is normal--they are all healthy and don't seem to be lacking nutrionally.

I try to be patient and I'm pleased that when they are picky or fixated on a food it's something healthy (a fruit, veg, etc) because that is pretty much all they know. I have meat eating friends with a toddler who will eat only chicken nuggets and hotdogs...my worst nightmare as I am sure my food world is to them!

[jenniferuk]

Originally Posted by David

But see my blog for a meatless "meatloaf" recipe that's out of this world: http://claverandconverse.blogspot.com

Thanks for that--recipe printed and meatloaf added to next weeks menu.

[David]

Originally Posted by LukeA

She's doing fine. She's just busy.

Glad to hear she's doing well. I want her to e-mail me but she never does because she thinks I'm assholish.

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by jannieC

I eat fish, so Laney does too. My mother in law makes salmon patties that she adores. Our pediatrician fully supports our decision to go this route (even before we told him she would be eating fish) and he is an older doctor that has been around for many years. I trust him completely. He actually thinks it's healthier to raise a child this way.

Her appetite SUCKS lately. At 14 months, I'm lucky if I can't get anything other than fruit into her. Laney is a Frutitarian. I try not to stress over it too much though- I try to stay mellow and just re-introduce food to her from time to time.

Originally Posted by jenniferuk

We eat fish and dairy and fish cakes are a favourite around here, too. All of my children go through 'picky' phases--last week the 3 yr old said no to nearly everything aside from yogurt and blueberries and today it's no to those and 'yes please mummy' to carrots, dried cereal, and 'things to dip in salsa'. Our ped assures me that this is normal--they are all healthy and don't seem to be lacking nutrionally.

I try to be patient and I'm pleased that when they are picky or fixated on a food it's something healthy (a fruit, veg, etc) because that is pretty much all they know. I have meat eating friends with a toddler who will eat only chicken nuggets and hotdogs...my worst nightmare as I am sure my food world is to them!

Thanks for these - my kids eat fish and never have red meat & poultry. I guess I have misunderstood the definition of a vegetarian used here. I thought vegetarians ate plant based foods and dairy/eggs but didn't eat meat and fish. It was the stricter definition (without fish) that I have some reservations with when it comes to children's diets.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Thanks for these - my kids eat fish and never have red meat & poultry. I guess I have misunderstood the definition of a vegetarian used here. I thought vegetarians ate plant based foods and dairy/eggs but didn't eat meat and fish. It was the stricter definition (without fish) that I have some reservations with when it comes to children's diets.

I tend to think fish eaters are pescetarians rather than vegetarians.

So what are your reservations when it comes to children's diets?

[jannieC]

I don't call myself a vegetarian anymore since I starting eating fish. I used to be hardcore but have relaxed quite a bit. I just say I don't eat meat (if anyone asks).

Almost every food contains protein: nuts, seeds, beans, soy products (tofu, soy milk, tempeh), grains (wheat, oats, rice), eggs, and dairy products all being excellent vegetarian sources. My family physician told me once that protein deficiencies are very rare. I don't think there's anything wrong raising a child on a no-meat or fish diet. But of course, to each his own.

[daniellaaarisen]

I haven't eaten meat for 2 days (which isn't rare for me, but I'm going to go for an extended period of time and see how this goes). I told my mom that I was planning on trying a no-meat diet and she flipped out on me, telling me that I will be severely malnourished and die by age 50.

I told her that a) she was wrong and b) I was gonna try it anyway. Ha.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by daniellaaarisen

I haven't eaten meat for 2 days (which isn't rare for me, but I'm going to go for an extended period of time and see how this goes). I told my mom that I was planning on trying a no-meat diet and she flipped out on me, telling me that I will be severely malnourished and die by age 50.

I told her that a) she was wrong and b) I was gonna try it anyway. Ha.

More power to ya, kiddo! Let us know how it's going... To be honest, I totally forgot how I felt at the earliest stages. All I know is that I was eating a lot of junk, lost a bit of weight, but then gained it back once I figured out how to make it work. It may take some trial and error, but you'll get there.

[Meowi]

Originally Posted by daniellaaarisen

I haven't eaten meat for 2 days (which isn't rare for me, but I'm going to go for an extended period of time and see how this goes). I told my mom that I was planning on trying a no-meat diet and she flipped out on me, telling me that I will be severely malnourished and die by age 50.

I told her that a) she was wrong and b) I was gonna try it anyway. Ha.

she was only looking out for you ! Anyway good luck!

[bucklind17]

Originally Posted by vivfox

Is it possible to be Vegan and be overweight?

My roommate for a time was vegan and she was morbidly obese. I'm not sure how tied in the two were, there were definitely some issues with food in general but there's plenty of vegan-friendly foods that are high in fat and calories. There's a vegan bakery in the Village that is to die for. My roommate often ate things like deep fried tofu or vegan nachos (essentially tortilla chips with soy-based cheese and sour cream, refried beans, etc.). I rarely saw her eating vegetables or fruit on their own, or without a sauce. So I would say yes. Just because a person is vegan or vegetarian doesn't necessarily mean they are maintaining a healthy enough diet to assure they wouldn't be overweight.

[desertangel]

I went vegan for two or three years. It was pretty good at first, but then became harder and harder for me to get the protein in without taking a supplement, which I didn't want to do. My lack of creativity and motivation caused me to get stuck in a rut with the protein part of it... eating the same rice, tofu and beans over and over until it started creating digestion problems. Eventually had to visit the doctor. He ran a blood test and said there was so little protein in my blood that he thought I was close to liver failure. I lost hope and became a quitter. At the risk of sounding hypocritical - if you're new at it, make sure you get enough protein and variety. There are charts on the internet that will tell you how many grams you need for your size. Protein is important for proper liver function and the liver is a major organ, which means if you don't take good care of it, it won't take good care of you.


To those who have been doing it successfully for years... ROCK ON!!!

[LiamMcConville]

Originally Posted by FMlex

Well I do think that cows, pigs and chickens are here for our consumption, yes.
Like Shawna said, they should get the respect and care they deserve while they're here.

In the case of household animals, such as dogs or cats, I believe they're here to be our companions for as long as they live (or we live -- by the way, Old Yeller should be required viewing for any young kid who owns a dog). So we don't eat them. (At least in this part of the world.)

Are you seriously posting this? Are you being underhandedly funny?


How can you possibly logically connect that some animals were placed on this earth for companionship and some for food? That's completely similar to thinking some people were placed on this earth to prosper, and others were put on this earth to be slaves.



DUMB.

[FMlex]

Originally Posted by LiamMcConville

Are you seriously posting this? Are you being underhandedly funny?


How can you possibly logically connect that some animals were placed on this earth for companionship and some for food? That's completely similar to thinking some people were placed on this earth to prosper, and others were put on this earth to be slaves.



DUMB.

Looks like I did post that. Hm.

Thanks for the compliment!