To let DS age 7 go vegetarian

[letdownalittle]

I'm not personally, though I eat a minimal amount of meat. A few of his friends are vegan, though certainly not the type to challenge him on his eating habits. I presume this triggered his thoughts on animal welfare, I know he's read and thought about it quite a bit independently.

He's been refusing meat at meals on and off for months, mentioning it more and more and now decided to go veggie. I've pretty much shrugged and said fine, presumed there's little point in trying to force feed an adamant child and just put a little thought into getting all he needs in his diet.

My mum and friend were both a little horrified I've 'allowed' him. Would you allow a child of 7, who was capable of clearly expressing their reasons in response to questioning, to change their diet and have autonomy? I didn't think I was being out there... but my mum does! I think I have memories of all the clear your plate stuff and the feelings about it...

I wouldn't force him to eat what he doesn't want to, if his diet is otherwise healthy and balanced.

Op - what would you have on your meat free days? A few times a week is still a fair amount of meat.

if he must be veggie try and minimise the quorn it's not suitable for children in large amounts.

Do you have a link to that research?

@assass no not horrified I'm aware that millions of people are vegetarian, but the op asked for opinions so I gave mine.

Go for it - my two (age 22 and 19) have been vegetarian from birth and have never knowingly eaten meat or fish. Of course, they're healthy and happy young adults.

*if he must be veggie try and minimise the quorn it's not suitable for children in large amounts.

Do you have a link to that research?*

Would be interested in this too

www.mycoprotein.org/index.php/faq/index.html

I think my dd was about 7 when she realised she was eating a dead animal.
I wasn't the best at first. I did cook separate meals but would use the same spoon to stir and give her stew gravy (have never told her and feel terrible about it now)etc.
Once I knew she was serious though it's honestly not that hard. I never understand why people say it is. Tonight we had cottage pie - I just made her a separate one using mixed frozen veg and a added sweet potato to the mash. You don't have to get protein from meat.
She usually eats a variation on what we are having. Curry yesterday. Made one huge pot of sauce split 3 ways, one veg, 2 meat (one spicy, one not).
If we have a roast dinner she has everything except the meat.
She is 18 now and has always been very healthy.

I wouldn't be cooking separate meals, so no I'd not have that at 7. If they were older and able to cook for themselves I'd think about it.

I would talk to him about farming/animal welfare and clear up any misconceptions he had.

here you go, question 12. www.mycoprotein.org/index.php/faq/index.html

bare in mind that this site is selling quorn, an anti quorn site would state it more strongly.

Lots of quorn isn't suitable for under 3s as it's low fat and filling, so can reduce the number of calories they eat as a result. It's not hard though to cook vegetarian food for children that doesn't involve Quorn. It can be handy for a quick prep meal every now and again.

www.prevention.com/eatclean/vegetarian-meat-dangers

for balance a site not selling quorn also agrees!

ummmmgogo

That link is not research and the only thing it says about children eating Quorn is this:

Quorn™ products are perfectly safe for children and babies but because of the high energy requirements demanded by the rapidly growing child we do not recommend that Quorn™ products replace meat totally in the diet of young children and babies (less than 3 yrs old) because of their low energy densities (number of calories per gram) and satiating (satisfaction of appetite) effects. However as part of a well balanced diet Quorn™ products are perfectly safe to introduce to young children in small amounts.

That's standard advice about pretty much any new food that you're introducing to a young child's diet.

don't forget the side effects and the processedness of it. lentil nuts and eggs (or meat!) are better proteins imo.

@suburban it really isn't. have never seen a warning like that on any other food.

Meat?

Did you miss the part about the OP's son wanting to be vegetarian?

no I didn't I just think it's not the best idea

It's not a warning. It's saying everything in moderation, which is standard advice as for any food for children.

ok ignore it then. no skin off my nose! but I thought I said minimise quorn, not that a single taste would damage him !

You get told all the time about not giving under 3s low fat food. They're supposed to have whole milk and yoghurt etc until at least 2 (I think) and then semi-skimmed milk. Maybe you should consider writing to low fat yoghurt manufacturers to get them to warn parents about not giving them to children. Sugar free sweets, for example, have dire warnings about gastric distress if you eat too many.

Let him do it. Good for him having principles and knowing his own mind. And tell your mum he can still clear his plate - of meat-free meals.

We are a veggie family and my kids practically live off Quorn! We eat it about 3 or 4 times a week. They are both pretty slim but I have no concerns about feeding them a low-fat food - they're kids, they'll eat something else in five minutes anyway.

Neither have ever tried meat or fish, but I have told my eldest that she is more than welcome to try meat if she wants. (She's 6)

Ummmmm why are you so anti vegetarianism. You've provided nothing but opinion despite being asked for actual research.

Millions of children are raised happily and healthily on vegetarian diets.

I wanted to be veggie from around age 11, asked parents outright at age 14. Was refused permission but I only ate meat at home from then on and even then only when I really had to I tried to avoid as much as possible.

Turned vegetarian properly at 16 as the family routine changed and I had greater access to the kitchen so mum didn't have to do 2 different meals. Parents did insist on a visit to gp surgery to discuss iron and protein needs but actually gp was very positive, directed us to certain publications (pre internet days).

What actually happened healthwise? I ate more than I had done (I was v slim and not a big eater previously), my anaemia went away, my digestive issues I had suffered all my life improved greatly. I had more energy, my mood improved and my allergies settled down.

On the odd occasion I have accidentally ingested meat proteins it's really upset my stomach for several days.

We now know that eating too much red or processed meat is bad for us.

I do also believe that low fat yoghurts and sugar free sweets are unhealthy. I don't mind junk food, but these lab created chemical-type foods are best eaten minimally. as i said in my very first post!

@graph the same reason you are pro vegetarian! difference of opinion!