Should my little girls be Vegan too?

Thanks,

I have done 'some' googling and it does seem b12 is the easiest thing to lack but I noticed reading my tofu container the other day that it contains b12! I thought that was amazing that there is all this insane hype that "if you don't eat meat you will not have b12 and brain will stop working at peak performance" and yet its right there on my Tofu. Not sure about the quantity difference but cool never the less.

And I think you guys are right with the whole watching what they eat more closely thing. I guess I just see it either as eating meat and being overweight vs being vegetarian / vegan and being healthy because because society is headed more and more that way with the insane overeating of fatty meat meat products. It's silly I know and regardless of which eating habits they follow I should cut out the pastries and lollies my two year old has.

My 7 month old hasn't started any of this stuff and is still on baby food so it might be easier with her.

As long as you are feeding them nutritious meals,
they are healthy and they are happy with their diet
then no-one should telll you how to feed them.

If you choose to feed them animal products
then when they are older and they have learnt
from watching you, and listening to you.
that animals are creatures, just like us,
then you will have to be the one to explain to them
why they have eaten, and worn, and exploited animals their
entire life.


but whatever you end up doing,
you should make sure that they are healthy, and they are happy with their diets.

Hey i have two little vegans myself a nearly 3yr old and a 2 month old.
Vegan diets are healthy at all stages of life just make sure you feed them a variety of healthy foods to keep on top of everything, which you should do with any diet and kids....

here are some resource/supportive pages to check out.

Vegan parents australia:
http://www.veganparents.org/
https://www.facebook.com/veganparents

i have a feature on my blog of vegan parents
http://sarah-moo.blogspot.com.au/p/vegan-parents-feature.html

Vegfamily
http://www.vegfamily.com/

From these pages you should find more great pages too

Thank you! that's very helpful.

Contact people like compost kitty, who has now, I think two vegan bubs? http://www.unleashed.org.au/community/profile.php?2066
and "SixthStitch" who has a daughter who is at least vegetarian, I haev a feeling though she may be vegan. http://www.unleashed.org.au/community/profile.php?80292
I'm sure parents of vego kids would know alot more than I would about this topic.

In the end, if they are receiving the right nutrition and are healthy happy kids, it shouldn't matter how they are brought up (meat or vege) except to your own morals, as long as you explain the reason for their diet when they are old enough to understand and have the capacity to make the decision for themselves. Although I must say, I would have been much more appreciative of being brought up on a vege diet, than having to discover all the untold kinds of cruelty my diet supported for myself.

EDIT: I didn't realise compost kitty had replied. ooopsie

EDIT x2: also remember that just because someone is eating a vege diet, doesn't neccessarily mean they won't have weight problems. Just as there are perfectly fit omni's out there.

i would personally give them vegan/vegetarian foods as often as possible to allow them to know that there are vegan / vegetarian options out there that taste just as good as sausage rolls etc.
If they want meat give it to them, but try to open their minds to veg*n food also until they are old enough to choose for themselves which way they would like to go.

i am vegan but my 2 year old daughter is not. she really likes linda mc cartney sausage rolls.
she is becoming more and more fussy. refusing to eat much meat.
i believe it is possible a child could be vegan as long as they eat well balanced diet.
lots of kids these days don't
they live on maccas and hungry jacks.

I think forcing a child to eat vegetarian/vegan diet is not ideal, just as forcing a child to eat meat is not ideal. A young child needs a healthy balanced diet...so many vegans and vegetarians THINK they are getting all the neccesary vitamins and minerals, but it really is hard to know without proper blood tests etc. I'm vegetarian and felt healthy and 100%. So I thought. Doc told me after blood tests my protein and iron were very low. Someone pointed out to me how tired I often am. I don't eat junk every day or night, takeaway once a week on a friday, but still, i'm not getting the proper nutrients. Imagine a fussy child not getting the right nutrition. I think the biggest thing a vegetarian can do is to GUIDE and EDUCATE meat-eaters and their children...not force it into them. No one ever learns anything with force.

Definitely pro-vegan diet for your little girls

I completely agree with what your girlfriend says. Skip the meat until they are older and wise enough to fully understand the weight and sacrifice meat encompasses. Then they can decide how they wish to live their lives.

I definitely think it's easier and better to switch to a vegan diet while you're young. You can't miss something you never had. But you can love what you do have. Making them eat vegan also lessens the common view that it's normal and acceptable to eat animals.

If I ever have kids, I plan to bring them up vegan until they can choose. I've read numerous articles that it is completely possible to raise kids healthily without animal products too.

You should let them make up their mind when they are older. Vegainsm is like "THE choice" after all.