This is the question I wish people would ask, before jumping to conclusions based on what they see of my own passionate beliefs.
The answer was originally in a nutshell 'yes, until they can decide for themselves'. This theory worked well with our Jedda bean. She seemed to thrive on a vegetarian lifestyle. Legumes and other 'windy' veggies were never an issue with her. Her first favourite food was curry and we even ended up having an Indian themed 1st birthday party for her based on how much she loved vegetarian Indian food (she ended up sleeping through the whole thing however...) We decided that once she was more aware of what meat was, we would leave the choice to her. When Tully arrived I knew instinctively that it wouldn't be as easy. He didn't digest legumes as well and wasn't really interested in eating until we discovered he was tongue tied at 10 months. That's a whole other blog post...
So from around a year old we offered him some fish and at around 14 months, we offered him red meat as well. We decided if the concept of eating animals didn't sit well with him later on, that he could decide not to eat it. Very different children! He is quite small and it feels like he may need meat. He also has bigger teeth! I'd never felt this way with Jedda (unitil she recently became more fussy with dinner) This is what I mean when I say I learned to trust my instincts.
Jedda still won't eat red meat. She did try it and didn't like it. She does enjoy chicken sometimes though (which is the number one animal I can't stand to cook, particularly as we have chooks) and fish as well. Tully will eat most things these days although hasn't been keen on bolognese the last few attempts. To be honest we probably haven't offered meat often enough. Maybe once a week or fortnight. I keep meaning to incorporate it more, but I'm so used to cooking wholesome vegetarian food, that it doesn't even occur to me that his diet is 'missing something'.
My main concerns with rasising predominantly vegetarian children, are that they are getting enough iron and b12 in their diets. It's crucial for brain development, energy and healthy blood cells. I've had a few health checks over the years to make sure I had adequate iron and b12, as I've been breastfeeding for a long time and needed to know I could supply it through my milk. Thankful for eggs!
My own reasons for being vegetarian are based on not being able to bring myself to kill an animal. I feel if I can't kill it and face its death, then I don't feel I should eat it. I think nutritionally meat serves an important purpose for people and I would never deny that it's tasty, but I feel physical pain when I imagine the animal itself. It's no longer just a food product on a styrofoam tray. I felt this way during my teenage years. It just never felt 'right' but I didn't want to inconvenience our family and decided to wait until leaving home to make this choice.
The main argument I have heard over the years is that vegetarians are inflicting their choice on their children. It frustrates me as no matter our decision as parents, we are inflicting our choice on them. If our kids are healthy and happy, then why is there ever a need to criticise I wonder?
Ali xx
The answer was originally in a nutshell 'yes, until they can decide for themselves'. This theory worked well with our Jedda bean. She seemed to thrive on a vegetarian lifestyle. Legumes and other 'windy' veggies were never an issue with her. Her first favourite food was curry and we even ended up having an Indian themed 1st birthday party for her based on how much she loved vegetarian Indian food (she ended up sleeping through the whole thing however...) We decided that once she was more aware of what meat was, we would leave the choice to her. When Tully arrived I knew instinctively that it wouldn't be as easy. He didn't digest legumes as well and wasn't really interested in eating until we discovered he was tongue tied at 10 months. That's a whole other blog post...
So from around a year old we offered him some fish and at around 14 months, we offered him red meat as well. We decided if the concept of eating animals didn't sit well with him later on, that he could decide not to eat it. Very different children! He is quite small and it feels like he may need meat. He also has bigger teeth! I'd never felt this way with Jedda (unitil she recently became more fussy with dinner) This is what I mean when I say I learned to trust my instincts.
Jedda still won't eat red meat. She did try it and didn't like it. She does enjoy chicken sometimes though (which is the number one animal I can't stand to cook, particularly as we have chooks) and fish as well. Tully will eat most things these days although hasn't been keen on bolognese the last few attempts. To be honest we probably haven't offered meat often enough. Maybe once a week or fortnight. I keep meaning to incorporate it more, but I'm so used to cooking wholesome vegetarian food, that it doesn't even occur to me that his diet is 'missing something'.
My main concerns with rasising predominantly vegetarian children, are that they are getting enough iron and b12 in their diets. It's crucial for brain development, energy and healthy blood cells. I've had a few health checks over the years to make sure I had adequate iron and b12, as I've been breastfeeding for a long time and needed to know I could supply it through my milk. Thankful for eggs!
My own reasons for being vegetarian are based on not being able to bring myself to kill an animal. I feel if I can't kill it and face its death, then I don't feel I should eat it. I think nutritionally meat serves an important purpose for people and I would never deny that it's tasty, but I feel physical pain when I imagine the animal itself. It's no longer just a food product on a styrofoam tray. I felt this way during my teenage years. It just never felt 'right' but I didn't want to inconvenience our family and decided to wait until leaving home to make this choice.
The main argument I have heard over the years is that vegetarians are inflicting their choice on their children. It frustrates me as no matter our decision as parents, we are inflicting our choice on them. If our kids are healthy and happy, then why is there ever a need to criticise I wonder?
Ali xx
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