I am taking the step at becoming a vegan. I am concerned about how to include my 11 yr old in this lifestyle.

Question

And this kid loves his steak with A1 sauce!

Can anyone provide any tips in helping me make the switch?

Thanks to all who have answered. I agree that he needs the proteins, etc., he is certainly a growning boy.

Thanks again!

www.goveg.com

Answer 1

As an ADULT I chose to be a vegetarian and have been for years, but chose to raise my three kids on a more traditional diet that included diary, eggs and some meat. I have always felt that the growing needs of children demanded they get plenty of protein and calcium in as efficient a delivery package as possible. A vegan diet requires carefully chosen food combinations, a concern not foremost in a child's mind. Additionally, to get enough protein a vegan must consume an abundant quantity of carbohydrate rich foods such as rice and beans and kids may not eat enough to meet their need. Most vegan protein comes from soy and soy has been shown by credible scientific research to mimic estrogen in the body. If a kid gets his protein from soy he/she is also introducing an estrogen hormone mime into his/her body. In my opinion it is irresponsible parenting to make a kid a total vegan. "Introducing" them to it by having them eat some healthy vegan side dishes is fine as long as the kid is getting their full nutritional needs met as well. My kids grew up and some became vegetarian on their own as adults, making their own choices as adults. Vegan diets are difficult to balance for adults. Make sure you know what you are doing for yourself. To jump into this as a newbie and then drag your child in is irresponsible.

Answer 2

You can include your child by asking him what he wants. By giving him the choice and not forcing him will most likely make it easier for you to ease into being vegan. He may like some of the things that you cook and may just decide to change over after he has learned more about it.

Answer 3

Try him on a veggie kabab with A1 sauce. Thread some lighly steamed new potatoes on a wooden skewer with some zuchini, pearl onions, mushrooms, yellow squash and cherry tomato. Grill or broil them, then brush with A1 and serve with extra sauce. Dont mention the lack of meat, and he most likely wont notice. See how he does with that, then take it from there. Your best bet might be to go vegetarian for awhile before going vegan. Its less complicated to start with. My 12 year old daughter is a happy vegetarian. We enjoy fresh milk from our happy cow, and eggs from well cared for chickens. We make homemade cheese with vegetarian rennet. Cabot brand has a wide range of vegetarian rennet cheeses. I think you can make the transition easier for your child if you dont make an issue out of it, and just start adding in tasty vegetarian entrees into his diet. My daughters friends eat at our house all of the time, and not one of them has ever noticed that there is never any meat. Good luck!

Answer 4

You may want to consult with your child's pediatrician to ensure he's getting everything he needs in his diet.

On a side note - my brother loved his A-1...with or without the steak! He would just pour some into a little cup and eat it. Yeah...I know...weird.

Answer 5

Eat a variety of "whole foods," with plenty of beans, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid unhealthy foods like trans fats, which are usually listed as partially hydrogenated oils. Deep-fried foods often contain trans fats. Choose margarines that use nonhydrogenated oil, like Earth Balance or Smart Balance. Although a diet consisting of Coke and French fries is technically vegan, you can't be healthy if you eat nothing but junk food. Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is produced by bacteria, and some experts believe that vegetarians used to get plenty of this vitamin from bacteria in drinking water. Since drinking water is now treated with chemicals that kill the bacteria, it's important to make sure that you get enough vitamin B12 from fortified foods (like most brands of soy or rice milks, some breakfast cereals, and many brands of nutritional yeast) on a daily basis or by taking a sublingual B12 tablet of 10 mcg per day


Iron-beans, dark green leafy vegetables (like spinach),whole grain breads, Also eat something with vitamin c when you eat something with iron, it increases absorption

Calcium-dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, soymilk)

Protein-Isn't really hard to get, just eat a variety of foods, good sources are beans, brown rice, nuts, whole grain breads, soy foods

Omega-3 fatty acids-flax seeds/oil,walnuts,canola oil

Zinc-pumpkin seeds (best source), beans and lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and whole grain cereals

Selenium-Brazil nuts are a particularly good source of selenium, so try to eat a couple every day. Eating a small bag of mixed unsalted nuts can be a convenient way to get your daily selenium intake, but make sure it contains Brazils. Bread and eggs also provide some selenium.

Vitamin D- Vitamin D, often called the sunshine vitamin, is another common deficiency in those not drinking vitamin D fortified milk. Synthetic vitamin D is added to both cow’s milk and most brands of soy milk today.

Vitamins A (beta carotene),C, K, E and Folate-variety of fruits and veggies

Iodine-Iodine is a trace mineral that's important for healthy thyroid function. Table salt is the most common and reliable source of iodine in Americans' diets. (However, sodium in processed foods usually does not contain iodine.) If you don't consume table salt, you can get iodine from a multivitamin or from kelp tablets.

Answer 6

i agree that he's old enough to be included in the decisions about his diet, though he should not have complete control. being a vegan/vegitarian can be a wonderful and healthy lifestyle for adults, but can be tricky for a growin adolescent. i'd talk to a dietician to make sure he's getting everything he needs to grow and devlop properly.

Answer 7

You will find some great recipes on the website below. It even has a children's section which might give some ideas of things that he could cook with you, to make it more fun.

Answer 8

you really shouldn't make your child switch his lifestyle just because you want to switch yours. Let him still enjoy his food, and make his own decision what will be best for him. You could always try and convince him that going vegan is better...but ultimately you need to let him decide what he wants. Good luck

Answer 9

You should ask your child, and see what he thinks about it. You can always show him how to cook his own food.

Answer 10

I think 11 is too young. Children need certain nutrients and most often vegans/vegetarians are lacking in protein. Consult his pediatritian first.