My son, the Vegan?

Question

My son is 16yrs old. For the past yr he has cut out meat completely in his diet. My question is, even though occasionally he eats nuts, he needs something that will keep his teeth strong. They're loosening. I've heard of men and women in the military that are out in the field for weeks, even months, and their teeth start to become loose. Calcium isn't enough, the teeth have to be worked. Does anyone have any suggestions on what he can chew on that will strengthen and be good for him also?

He would also like to workout and build his muscles up, he's a very skinny kid. He takes vitamins, but doesn't like milk, not even organic milk. So the calcium he gets is mostly from the vitamins.

I want him to grow strong with healthy teeth. But I'm at a loss. I'm tired of seeing him eat just pasta or salads. Theres got to be more out there..right? Does anyone have or know a good website for vegans to get recipes from?

Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

www.vegweb.com
www.veganhealth.org

That's all you need.

Answer 2

Tofu has calcium. Soyboy makes a baked tofu that is flavored and can be eaten straight from the package. Cubed up on salad is great. Also, fortified soymilk, ricemilk or other fake milks, heck, buy soy icecream, he can use the calories. Raw carrots should be enough to work the teeth for crunching workouts. He may need more fat in his diet if he is really thin. I'm thinking natural fats like avocado. Buy bags of mixed nuts or almonds for snacks (so what if they are $7/lb). Maybe you can get him to make smoothies with a scoop of soy protein powder? Check his vitamin tabs for minerals. Vegans (and most americans) are low on zinc, selenium, and possibly iodine.
www.veganoutreach.org for accurate nutrition concerns for vegans
www.vegweb.com for recipes

Answer 3

Sorry to hear that your son is having problems. The health problems you talk about would suggest that he is definitely deficient in something or other. I'm vegan, but from what you say your son is vegetarian as he will try milk, even if he doesn't like it!

I never drank milk when i was younger, i really didn't like it. You need to make sure that your son's supplements are giving him 100% of his rda of calcium as in his formative years he needs enough otherwise he is putting himself at risk in later life.

Anyway, as i said i am vegan, but even so i hardly ever resort to eating salad, and probably only eat pasta once a week. There are loads of recipes that are meat free, and dairy and egg if you care to try it! a good website i know is www.vegweb.com (i think it's a .com may be .co.uk) this is a vegan website, but they have loads of recipes. The other alternative may be to have a look at the vegan (or veggie) society websites as they have lots of advice on how to lead a healthy meat free life.

I don't know what he could chew on to strengthen his teeth, seems like an odd concept to me! as long as he eats healthily, and often, i don't see that it should be necessary to find something to chew!

The only other thing i can suggest if you need inspiration is to visit a good vegetarian restaurant, there's usually one around and there's millions in London and Brighton. You can search for them on google.. anyway that will probably inspire you if you vist a purely veggie restaurant and see all the gorgeous food on offer! I personally recommend Rainbow Cafe in Cambridge if you're in the area!

Answer 4

My fourteen year old son became a vegan, too and it's been quite an education. He's now twelve years older, and while he still eats organic foods and is a vegetarian, his days of strict veganism are over. We had about six very challenging years, though, when buying him a wallet or a belt was even more challenging than finding something for him to eat for dinner. I think dinners out were the worst; he often ended up with a fruit plate or a house salad (without dressing or cheese, of course), but we did survive those days and he has grown into a remarkably healthy young man. I think he would have grown a few more inches with the help of milk and meats, but he is satisfied with his height. It is his height, you know--his body to keep as he chooses to.

I only told you those things to reassure you. There are many vegans in the world and they have fine teeth and healthy bodies that the rest of us wish our bodies would function as well as.

As for your son's teeth, I must say that this was never a problem for my son. He is an enthusiastic cruncher of apples and other foods that offer resistance. Check with your dentist if you still feel worried, but I'd be surprised if a kid with a healthy set of choppers will lose any teeth because he doesn't eat animal products.

There are some good sites on nutrition for vegan teens. One of them has these guidelines for nutrition to share:

-3 servings per day Protein and Iron

125-250 ml cooked beans, peas or lentils
30 - 60 ml nuts or seeds
50 - 100 g soy (ex: tofu veggie burger / dog)


3 - 4 servings per day Calcium

250 ml calcium and vitamin D fortified soy beverage
150 g calcium-fortified tofu
250 ml calcium-fortified rice beverage
250 ml calcium-fortified orange juice
750 ml cooked beans
750 ml cooked dark green leafy vegetables
175 ml almonds

Vegetables, grain & Fruit
5 - 10 servings per day

125 ml fresh, cooked, frozen or canned vegetables or fruit
125 ml fruit or vegetables juice
1 medium sized fruit or vegetable
250 ml salad
50 ml dried fruit
1 slice bread
½ bagel, pita, bun, tortilla
30 g cold cereal
125 ml pasta, rice, barley
175 ml oatmeal

And, of course, a B12 supplement of some sort.


And this also:
For breakfast

Peanut butter and banana on a bagel
Cooked oatmeal and fruit
Soy milk or juice

For lunch

Salsa & veggies wrapped in a soft tortilla
vegetable soup, crackers & fruit
Hummus, pita and raw vegetables

For supper

Baked beans with a salad and bread
Vegan chili or pizza with veggies with a salad.
Bean burritos with salad
soy milk

For snacks

Trail mix, nuts, dried fruit
Popcorn or pretzels
Crackers and peanut butter

Don't forget about water


These look like good food choices to me. I understand how worried you are and how challenging it can be to give your son the opportunity to eat as he chooses to. I'd urge you to reach an understanding with him that you will not be doing extra cooking and that he is capable (sometimes with your instructions) of meeting his own needs. Teens can cook and clean up after themselves, too.

Good luck to both of you. I think your son is probably a very interesting guy and he's lucky to have you willing to let him try new things.

Answer 5

I do not have an answer but i feel your concern and i pray you find the answers you seek. It is important to eat healthy and exercise and we make choices on what to eat. Our bodies thrive on good nutrition to maintain ourselves healthwise. Meat is actually important in moderation but i accept some people who choose not to eat it so lets hope there is a substitue for it . Good luck as Vegan's aren't easily catered for, vegatarians have more luck and people who eat meat still suffer ill health bad teeth etc Anyway at least he is eating and doesn't have an eating disorder pasta and salads are good. your teeth can get a good workout eating that stuff too. You can buy recipe books at a bookshop not just online or just type in and search for it. Have a nice day x o

Answer 6

Broccoli has a ton of calcium in it (more than milk!)
Parsely is an easy thing to integrate into meals and it's loaded with iron.
Beans and nuts are loaded with protein...I guess he doesn't eat cheese?
Brown Rice is good.
I was vegan for 2 years and it didn't work out for me. It's good that you are supporting your son in his choices.

Answer 7

Morning star Farms is one of many companies that make fine High- protien, meat substitues, all are vegitarian, not all are Vegan, but many are- just read the pacakge. I'd take the kid to the doctor for blood work if his steeth are falling out. That sounds serious.

Answer 8

There are a lot of meat substitutes that are full of protein and have chewy, meat-like textures. Check in the frozen section of your grocery store. They have veggie chicken nuggets, bacon, sausage, burgers, etc. etc. etc. Make sure there is lots of spinach in his salads. Does he like baked potatoes? What about beans? Baked beans, black beans, pinto beans. Bean and rice burritos are very healthy. You can get soy cheese at the store. Go to health food stores and ask the same questions you asked on here. You will find out a lot of useful information.

Answer 9

He's a vegan? Go to www.goveg.com. That's probably all the education he'll need.

As for his teeth loosening, that's probably nutrition, not that they need to be "worked." I was in the service for ten years and my teeth never "loosened" while I was in the field. Nor did I ever meet anyone's who did.

Answer 10

Can you get him to eat cheese and yogurt? Not quite as good as milk, but would help I think.

Also if his teeth are loosening, that could be a sign of something quite serious. He should see a doctor to make sure he doesn't have scurvy or something like that.

Answer 11

Do u son wear leather shoes, but eat no meat. He need to chew on the leather shoes. But if he have no leather shoes, he mus bow 3 x's to icon of cow, never agin to hurt the cow, then he mus drink the goat milk.