I have been a vegetarian for several years now. I have a 6 yr. old child. Who occasionally likes to eat chicken nuggets and pepperoni pizza. I want her to be a vegetarian. But I don't know how to tell her why she shouldn't eat meat. I'm doing it to respect all living beings and it's part of my religion that shows compassion for all living beings.
2007-09-19 14:41:16 · 11 answers · asked by dasi108 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
-Okay, it seems like alot of you are very ingnorant when it comes to vegetarian children, saying it's not healthy. Because IT CAN be healthy even healthier than an omnivorous diet, If kids eat proper vegetarian foods. I am definatly consulting with a nutritionist and a pediatritian.
-And I said.. she already doesn't eat alot of meat. She dislikes red meat and the only chicken she likes to eat are chicken pieces(nuggets). I know there are veggie nuggets which are probably much healthier than those McDonald's.
2007-09-20 14:02:34 · update #1
Plain and simple. Don't cook meat. Your child should eat what you cook for them, period.
They don't have to like it, but they must try it.
You shouldn't have to explain why you are not eating meat, it should be obvious by how you live your life.
2007-09-19 23:35:26 · answer #1 · answered by People for the Ethical Treatment of Vegetables 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How would you like it if people were trying to make you be a meat eater. She feels the same way about someone trying to make her a vegetarian. Eat healthy offering her alot of fruits and vegtables but let her have meat if she wants to. Honestly I think a strictly vegetarian diet is not healthy for such a young child. Variety of healthy foods sounds better to me. I know you can say all the hormones is not healthy but you would be surprised what is on our fruits and vegtables that cannot be washed off. Vegetarianism should be a choice.
2007-09-19 17:12:25 · answer #2 · answered by Nancy B 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you should force your beliefs on your child, especially one so young. You should introduce her OBJECTIVELY to BOTH sides of the argument when she's old enough to comprehend what it means, and allow her to make her own choice.
If you force your daughter to believe everything that you believe at such a young age, she'll be a drone for the rest of her life. I would want my child to be able to make her own, clear-minded choices.
Also, at that young of an age, a vegetarian diet is not a healthy idea. You should wait until she's old enough to start taking supplements for the nutrients and vitamins she's going to lose from such a restricted diet. Six years old is FAR too young to be taking those supplements.
I would talk to your doctor/nutritionist before starting your daughter on such a drastic lifestyle change.
2007-09-19 14:52:07 · answer #3 · answered by No one important 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why do you want to force it on your child?? That should be her decision. There is no reason NOT to eat meat... in the Bible, look at Genesis 9:3. God told us TO eat the animals. I don't know what religion you are, but if you are a faithful Christian then it surely wouldn't be part of your religion.
Now, if it's one of those made-up religions I suppose you could be right, fictitionally speaking, but let your daughter make the choice!
2007-09-19 16:40:51 · answer #4 · answered by my_king_died4me 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You really shouldn't force something like that on a child. I guess it is one thing to not cook meat in your home because that is your lifestyle, but if your daughter is a school or a friends house or something, let her eat whatever she wants to!
You can tell her that you don't like to eat meat so you aren't going to cook it for yourself or anyone else, but otherwise I really wouldn't reccomend making it a big deal.
2007-09-19 17:35:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i don't understand why you did not have her on a vegetarian diet since birth. you should raise your children according to your morals and beliefs, not anyone else's. vegetarian diets are not unhealthy (most of the time- quite the opposite) and are totally nutritionally sound for babies and children. it sounds as if you are vegetarian and not vegan, so it is even easier for her to get all the protein and calcium she needs. starting now shouldnt be a problem however. there are lots of veggie meat products (chick nuggets for instance). they are very tasty and i know alot of meat eating children that love them. i'd introduce the veggie replacements first. then tell her why you don't eat meat. tell her about animals and where meat comes from (not too graphic to give her nightmares). then tell her why you would like it if she didnt eat meat as well. if she still wants to eat meat, well it's her choice, but an informed one.
2007-09-19 15:03:19 · answer #6 · answered by pilar 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Why SHOULDN'T she eat meat? Just because YOU don't is no reason for her not to want to. She is just as entitled to HER choice of foods as you are your's. She isn't forcing YOU to eat meat is she? So, what would be the reason a person "shouldn't" eat meat...and make it good because I've heard them all. BTW I'm a vegetarian.
2007-09-19 16:09:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You need to wait. A 6 year old needs the nutrients of both animal and plant proteins. If she likes what you are eating fine. Do not deny her any food that is nutritious. Let eat a variety of healthy food. Encourage her to eat healthy. Don't force.
2007-09-19 18:51:31 · answer #8 · answered by NavyVet64 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Go slowly with the changes, and discuss it with your pediatrician. Children have different dietary needs then adults. They need more protein rich foods and they can't handle as much fiber. There is lots of information on vegetarian diet for children on the internet. Here's one site I found for you:
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/nutrition/vegetarian_diets.html
2007-09-19 14:54:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should really wait and let it be her decision or she could end up resenting that fact that you forced her to not eat meat and sneak it behind your back. I have seen this happen in several families
2007-09-19 14:50:16 · answer #10 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋