Is it possible to raise a fully healthy and strong child on a vegetarian diet?

Question

I have been a vegetarian for 10 years. When we decide to have a baby I just always assumed I would have to go back to eating meat. But doctors do say that the vegetarian lifestyle is the most healthy.

Answer 1

It is perfectly natural and healthy to bring up a child on a vegetarian diet. Anyone who tells you otherwise is still behind the times, sorry but that;s true. Doctors say that vegetarianism is the healthiest way to be, and chidren are no different. I'm raising my 5 year old child as a vegetarian and he is happy and healthy and active. He has healthy food like rice and beans, lentil pie, spaghetti bolognaise (using quinoa mince instead of meat), lasagne using quinoa mince, lots of soya yoghurts, peanut butter, bread, eggs, ..you aren;t short of anything on a veggie diet as long as you're careful. Your child will be one of the healthiest kids around as long as you look into it and do it right. Please don't let anyone persuade you otherwise.

Answer 2

Yes, you must make sure he or she has a health diet. It sound like you've done it long enough to really know what you're doing. Not so long ago doctors would recommend women who were vegetarian and who became pregnant to add a little meat to their diet, to ensure they got the right amount of amino acids. But they've found that if mom is careful about her diet and they watch her closely she shouldn't have any problem.

I'm going to assume that you are always going to pack you child's lunch, otherwise the school lunchs are going to blow the vegetarian diet. Talk to you doctor, your child need more protein then you do and more fat too. Not a worry for non-vegetarians, who tend to get too much. Again just keep an eye on it. But don't be supprised if your child wants a hamburger, hot dogs or chicken nuggets, especally after they start school. They might not want to be diffrent from the other kids.

Good luck with the baby, I hope it sleeps though the night sooner then my son did.

Answer 3

Yes, in India for example, children have been raised vegetarian for generations. I went to high school with a group of Hare Krishna kids who'd been raised vegetarian; all were healthy and normal and several were on athletic teams. My boss raised both of his kids vegetarian and, at 27 and 32, they are normal, healthy adults. I plan to raise my kids vegetarian (at least until they are old enough to make an informed decision for themselves.) There are numerous books out there on the subject of vegetarian pregnancy and childhood; maybe you should check out a couple of them before you make an unnecessary sacrifice like going back to eating meat.

Answer 4

As long as you are careful to supply the proper amount proteins in their diet then it is perfectly fine to raise kids vegetarian. Consult often with the pediatrician you choose for your baby. You might even consider consulting a nutritionist.
Kids practically live on peanutbutter once they reach about 3 anyway. One of the best proteins out there, next to meat.

Answer 5

yes it is very healthy i have never eaten meat in my life and never will. I'm sick maybe once a year but that's it. i would stay a vegetarian and make my kids vegetarian to. some people think you should eat meat to grow better or faster, but it is nonsense i am just as tall as everybody else and i never have trouble with being over weighted.

Answer 6

Absolutely. Though our children are being given a choice about what they would like to include in their diet, my partner was raised strict vegetarian and he grew up very big, strong and sexy. In your position, I would maybe read up on the subject (I am sure there are books about raising veggie children out there) just to be sure that you are as aware of their specific dietary needs as you should be. Good Luck!

Answer 7

I am not crazy about vegetarianism and I was a vegetarian for almost a decade. I think if you make smart choices, eat healthy, drink milk, eat eggs, yogurt, etc . . . then yes it is possible. But I also feel that too much soy for a child, especially with its phytoestrogens can have a negative effect. Tofu has less estrogen than soy protein isolate which is used to make a lot of the fake meat products here in the US. That being said I still eat tofu 1-2 times a week--in moderation. And I just want to add that soy baby formula has all of the phytoestrogens stripped out of it--for a reason. Also animal protein is the only complete protein--meaning it has all the amino acids we need for development. Soy is close but does not have all the amino acids meaning unless there is some animal protein (milk, egg) there needs to be certain amino acids supplementation (which is not b vitamins but the aminos).

I do eat meat now, but try to eat organic, meat, milk and eggs or brands that practice humane animal husbandry. It's a compromise but one I felt I needed to make for my health.

Answer 8

I agree with your doctors.
About the only thing really hard to get from vegetarian diet that meat supplies is Vitamin b12.
You can supplement that just in case.
I will assume that you have enough experience with vegetarian cuisine to know how to combine grains and legumes in order to get a full protein.

Answer 9

Yes I was raised as a vegetarian and have been one all of my 23 years and I am perfectly fine....if you saw me you wouldn't say....she looks like she never ate meat before...lol....I do take an iron pill every now and then!!!!

Answer 10

yes! i was raised vegetarian, I am 18 and have never been overweight. I am well informed about my eating choices, so i know I am healthy. Raising your child vegetarian would give him/her such an advantage.