Proper age for Vegetarianism?

[Athena]

Vegetarian diet seems like the right diet for adults, for health, ethical, and spiritual reasons.

But is it the right diet for children?

Is there an ideal age to start a vegetarian diet?

==

This article shows some concerns about children raised as vegetarians
(the author seems quite sensationalist, but maybe someone can help sort out any valid points)


It seems that after growth and development has finished, around age 20, might be an ideal phase to start vegetarianism.


What do you think?

[thadroe]

My answer is from birth....I think vegetarianism is even more important for a young child than it is for an adult. That's a very crucial time period when most diseases are set into motion.

Thad

[Erin Pavlina]

We're raising our children vegan and I wrote a book called Raising Vegan Children in a Non-Vegan World. From my research, there's no reason not to start them out eating a vegan or vegetarian diet from birth.

[thadroe]

That's awesome Erin...I didn't even realize you had that book. Such a wonderful topic to write about as there is just a ridiculous amount social pressure against raising vegan children. It's really sad to see the kinds of food most children are given at a young age....and most kids menus at restaurants are just disgusting IMO.

Thad

[Erin Pavlina]

Originally Posted by thadroe

That's awesome Erin...I didn't even realize you had that book. Such a wonderful topic to write about as there is just a ridiculous amount social pressure against raising vegan children. It's really sad to see the kinds of food most children are given at a young age....and most kids menus at restaurants are just disgusting IMO.

Thad

Yes! Did you know I'm the editor of VegFamily.com magazine too? I've been writing about raising vegan children for about 7 years now. At first I just wanted to find out how to do it but there were no sites on the internet. So I created one, became an expert because no one else was stepping up, and created the magazine as a way to bring vegan families together to discuss the challenges of raising vegan kids. It was a glorious adventure. Also recently published a vegan cookbook, Vegan Family Favorites which is a compilation of a couple of hundred recipes from VegFamily readers and myself.

[stephencp]

I think that criticism against children growing up vegan is rarely about what's best for the child in question. It's normally about people defending themselves and their parents on how THEY were raised and chose to raise THEIR children.

Stephen
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[Akashic_Librarian]

I was raised typically on a almost balanced meat and veg diet, I wish I was broght up vegan because when i look at meat all I see is a dead animal, raised and slaughtered like it was worthless. We don't respect the animals, we don't honour them, we devour them like they are expendable. Most children think meat comes from the supermarket, they don't know it comes from animals...I mean does anyone else think that this alone is a violation of human rights?!

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by Akashic_Librarian

I was raised typically on a almost balanced meat and veg diet, I wish I was broght up vegan because when i look at meat all I see is a dead animal, raised and slaughtered like it was worthless. We don't respect the animals, we don't honour them, we devour them like they are expendable. Most children think meat comes from the supermarket, they don't know it comes from animals...I mean does anyone else think that this alone is a violation of human rights?!

I don't know if it's necessarily an intentional violation, as most parents either don't share those same views or it's not something they even think about themselves....but I can see what you're trying to say.

The funniest thing I encounter with all of this is dairy. Some people have acted like I'm actually being abusive by refusing to let my son drink milk. That's where I'll usually just have some fun with them and say that I prefer to have him drink cats milk or dogs milk as it has a better nutritional profile.

Thad

[Amadeus]

I'm not so sure it is healthy to raise children on a vegan or vegetarian diet. Everytime I see a kid that have been living this lifestyle looks almost like they are asexual or something. They look like aliens. They are thin, but there is something unnatural about it.

The main problem is that when you are on these diets you have to incorporate the foods that would substitute for dairy and meat. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of good sources to supplement for these. It is ok for adults but growing children need rich sources of calcium and protein. They can get it from vegetables but have to eat a lot.

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by Amadeus

Everytime I see a kid that have been living this lifestyle looks almost like they are asexual or something. They look like aliens. They are thin, but there is something unnatural about it.

LOL...this made me laugh...and yes, I've seen this myself. However, I think it's because many vegetarians or vegans just replace animal junk food, like meat and dairy, with vegetarian junk food. You don't see this problem in vegan or vegetarian children that eat a lot of whole, natural plant food.

The main problem is that when you are on these diets you have to incorporate the foods that would substitute for dairy and meat. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of good sources to supplement for these. It is ok for adults but growing children need rich sources of calcium and protein. They can get it from vegetables but have to eat a lot.

I suppose I don't really look at this the same way. I don't see dairy and meat as something that needs to be replaced, at least in the sense of viewing them as valuable nutrient sources. It's just the calories that need to be replaced.

The need for calcium and protein is often overemphasized, even for growing children. A bigger concern I would have for a growing child, is meat and dairy causing them to miss out on getting enough nutrients from plant food....nutrients that are far more essential.

Thad

[Nez]

I was raised vegetarian and...ummm...i'm fine

Never took supplements or anything...26 now and still healthy and strong

[thadroe]

Originally Posted by Nez

I was raised vegetarian and...ummm...i'm fine

Never took supplements or anything...26 now and still healthy and strong

You mean you didn't loose all your teeth or anything like that???...LOL