any vegetarian parents?

Question

do you feed your children meat, if not what do they eat. any views on this would be much appreciated.
thanks in advance.

Better add to this, I am a meat eater and so is my daughter, I was simply curious.
Thanks.

Answer 1

My wife is a veggie , I have started to eat more and more veggie dishes number 1 son is 2 and eats meat and veggie a bit like me and we will let him decide if he wants to be like his mum when he is older. I be grudgingly do feel better on a veggie diet as previously i was a total carnivore!

Number 2 son is still on milk so isn't really bothered yet!

Answer 2

I am a vegetarian and also a Dietary Analyst. I intend to give my children meat. While it is possible to have a balanced vegetarian diet, I believe it will be hard to ensure my children get enough protein with a veggie diet. If they eat out at a party or anywhere else, the only protein options are typically meat. This is a problem for adults as well, but it is easier for adults to keep an eye on their diet. Children are also fussy and I'm aware that while I'd like them to eat lentils and rice, they might not go for that all the time.
If you do put your children on a veggie diet, you need to make sure that they get complete proteins - lentils contain protein but unless you combine it with another source of non-animal protein you are not going to get all the essential amino acids.

Answer 3

I am a vegetarian and have a 2 year old daugther. I do feed her meat SOMETIMES but i actually think you tend to be healthier as a vegetarian as theres very little options in the supermarkets (in the uk) for ready meals etc that are vegetarian so your more likely to cook a meal from scratch. As far as protein goes she eats lots of meat substitutes like quorn which is packed with protein and she doesnt even notice its not meat. Also soya milk, silken style tofu in smoothies etc. It must not taste bad because she often wants it over crisps etc. I dont think theres a problem either way.

Answer 4

My husband and I have both been veggies for about 20 years and we're bringing up our two year old and nearly 4 year old as vegetarians. Aside from the issues of animal welfare (see the recent furore about bird flu and look at the conditions in which the birds are kept, also think about how many chemicals and anitbiotics are pumped into cows, sheep and pigs), we think a veggie diet is a healthy one - we eat lots of fruit and veg, include lots of protein in our diets and I don't feel they are 'missing out' by not eating meat. They are happy, healthy children with lots of energy, are very rarely ill and are growing well (my son is the tallest in his class at school).

If they want to eat meat when they are older, that's fine, but I hope we will have taught them to respect their bodies, what they put into them, and how they regard issues of factory farming and the damage that millions of animals destined for slaughter do to our already damaged world.

Answer 5

Before I start I am not a vegetarian or a parent. It is up to you how you deal with this dilemma and not for me to judge. If you decide not to feed them meat at home I might suggest letting them eat it when not at home so that they can make their own decision and also speaking to a qualified nutritionist or dietician to ensure they get all the protien and other nutrients required for healthy development.

Answer 6

My partner and i are long time vegetarians, and when our children were small it was easy to control what they ate.We always made sure that their diet was healthy and balanced with lots of organic veg,pulses etc.When they started school, naturally they wanted to try eating meat, as their friends did.I never lectured them but gave them the choice.Now they are both teenagers they eat the same as we do, and enjoy it,but have the choice to eat meat, which i do cook for them, though i prefer it to be good quality and preferably organic. This is mainly chicken, as they find burgers etc to be too fatty and greasy as they arent really used to it.They are both intelligent and in excellent health and seldom get ill.

Answer 7

I'm vegetarian and I do not buy and prepare meat. My kids eat whole grain foods, veggies, fruit, animal rennet free cheese, nuts, gelatin free yogurt etc.

PS: I find it very hard to believe that the dietary analyst is what she says she is. Protein is the easiest thing to get and meat is not necessary to get it.

Answer 8

hi...my oldest son is a vegetarian.we(the rest of the family)are all meat eaters.he basically eates everything else apart from meat. like pasta,veg,fruit,rice,salad,pizza,quorn,and the list goes on.....and why oh why do people always say"oh you are a veggie are you?do you eat fish?"....like,isn't being a vegetarian about NOT eating the flesh of an animal?why would you eat fish?are they not animals?

Answer 9

Kids certainly need meat while they're growing. I wouldn't recommend keeping that away from them. Here's a scientific guide about the myths of vegetarianism, and how important it is go get meat (especially kids). See link below:

Answer 10

Yes, I feed them meat... Children can have choice when they get older... Meat is god for them when they are young... They need it...Good luck :)