What are the pros and cons of changing children's diets from meat and veggies to just veggies?

Answer 1

You want to make sure they are getting all the propper nutrition and protien! People can't live on just veggies, but there are lots of things to eat besides meat, but you should take care in choosing, growing kids need more nutrition than adults, too. But it is a great idea to start kids eating healthy at a young age so they develop the habit and stay healthy for life. Plus not eating meat is better for the environment and way better for the animals.

Answer 2

Just veggies is not healthy. A good vegetarian diet consists of Whole grains, fruit, legumes, veggies, nuts, seeds, dark leafy greens etc. There are some good books about raising vegetarian children and a cute cookbook/handbook called Vegetables Rock!

Answer 3

One big "pro" to getting meat out of their diet is that the USDA refuses to allow independent testing of animals for prion contamination and disease! The only possible reason for that *insane* policy is that they are helping the meat industry to hide just how bad things really are. Look up prions, CWD, vCJD and BSE to get an idea of why this should concern you. The cost of testing all animals just before slaughter is *less* than the costs imposed by the current system that was devised with the 'guidance' of the meat industry they "regulate". Once you've looked up some info on the subject I think you'll be horrified!

Answer 4

The only cons that I can think of are that you will have to go an extra mile when they go to school, and their peers will think they are different. Plus it could be difficult eating out as a family.

The Vegetarian Resource Groups offers FREE support for parents of vegetarian children, just search the internet for their address and send them a request. As early as now, you can teach your children that being different from everyone else is okay, because we are all unique in our own way.

If you need help finding a vegetarian restaurant in your area, visit VegDining.com, which lists hundreds of veg restaurants from all over the world. Many of these restaurants have been reviewed by the diners who have actually gone there. It's worth the visit.

Answer 5

Nutritionally speaking, nothing at all. Remember, everyone thinks that meat is some kind of magical mystery food that will give you all one needs. It’s not true. Don’t run out and buy all sorts of vitamins and supplements etc. in fear that your kids will be missing something; as there is a lot of pressure to do so from all sides. I personally know people from Indian who have been what we call vegan their whole lives and never have they taken any vitamins etc. because eating in such a way in India is very common; there's no mystery to it. Just eat a variety of foods, but not at one meal as mixing foods will cause indigestion.

With friends etc., yeah, of course there will be a problem and lots of questions, and all those other adults giving them meat products, not to mention candy. From the time our kids were just 6 months old, everyone wants to give them candy; are them morons? I wouldn’t really worry about that sort of stuff such as sharing lunch with the kids at school etc. Your kids will do whatever they want when they leave your home anyway. If your kids want to you cannot stop them from swearing and punching other people, just as you cannot stop them from eating meat, but you can educate them as to why it is wrong and why other people still do it. It’s about being a good parent and allowing the children to take care of themselves when they are on their own.

A girl in our school never ate meat her whole life, although the rest of her family ate it, she didn’t like it. She simply said she didn’t like the taste, and we, the other kids, never questioned any further. Sure, on hamburger day at school (a blatant promotion of McDonalds) she didn’t eat hamburgers, but this was the only time we actually remembered that she didn’t eat meat. This girl, that I knew from all the way through school, never had any problems not eating meat. She got by easily from kindergarten onward through high school. It was her choice. So, you cannot force your kids, they will rebel. Just educate them and make it their choice too and they will fend for themselves without you having to worry.

Answer 6

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