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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to think a 2 and 5 year old will be fine being vegan for one lunch?

450 replies

mauricesom · 27/10/2017 09:46

It's my birthday next week and I've booked somewhere nice that does a vegan high tea. I've invited my daughter (veggie) and her two sons 7 and 5.

I've booked us all for the vegan high tea but daughter says the children will need ham and cheese else they won't eat it. As I'm paying for it I don't really want to buy things I'm ethically apposed to.

Aibu to think they will be fine with hummus and carrot sandwiches for one meal? They both eat food like that at my house without any issues.

OP posts:
kateandme · 27/10/2017 10:41

if it comes and its different and a huge problem I presume the place also does non vegan high tea so I'm sure the waiter would/might be kind enough to swap one.bu start as u mean to go on with it I think

AntiHop · 27/10/2017 10:45

I agree with you op. If the kids are eating meat, especially processed meat, every day, that is not healthy. People should strive to eat vegan, or at least vegetarian, regularly, as it is so much better for the planet.

MiaowTheCat · 27/10/2017 10:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sirzy · 27/10/2017 10:48

As it is food you know they like then I don’t see the problem.

Ds wouldn’t eat it (there again he wouldn’t eat a “normal” afternoon tea either) so I wouldn’t take him to something like that. But if there is food available they like I can’t see the issue

pasturesgreen · 27/10/2017 10:50

A carrot and hummus sandwich sounds soggy and unappetising, but hey ho, of course they aren't going to starve, so go ahead.

JackieMac77 · 27/10/2017 10:51

It's fine - they won't starve if they don't fancy the vegan food. I wouldn't however be keen to pay for food that is unlikely to be eaten, so I'd probably just ask for something simple like a plate of chips and some juice for the kids rather than fork out for something they won't eat or appreciate.

brasty · 27/10/2017 10:53

A carrot and hummus sandwich is not soggy and is more tasty than many ready made sandwiches. But the kids are used to vegan cake anyway, so they can fill up with that.

BertrandRussell · 27/10/2017 10:54

Why are people behaving as if hummus is some strange, esoteric food from distant lands?

LemonysSnicket · 27/10/2017 10:54

They’ll probably enjoy the variety

OnionShite · 27/10/2017 10:54

Hmm, I had a reply in mind then I saw you meant 7 not 2. It is stupid to expect a 2 year old to be willing to broaden their repertoire in a new place: I eagerly await a barrage of posts about people's adventurous epicurean toddlers, but the fact is that a good number of them won't even want to eat foods they actually know and like in a new place.

With a 7 and 5 year old though, and it's food they actually eat, I should think it will be fine. Especially as you're ok with them not eating any of it at all. If either or both are prone to hanger I'd advise asking their mother to give them a snack before they come though. Are they particularly whiny? That would be the only reason I could think of why this might be a problem. As a pp said, you don't want to deal with that at your birthday if it's avoidable.

Venusflytwat · 27/10/2017 10:54

I really want to know what you eat there when you go please, I’d love more ideas.

I love a carrot and hummus sandwich.

Venusflytwat · 27/10/2017 10:55

Sorry, that was no help!

I think your daughter is making a fuss, especially if they eat the same at your house. Meh. Let them fill up on cake and eat all the yummy sandwiches yourself!

Jenala · 27/10/2017 10:56

Anti is buying food that is prepared only for it to be thrown away (as op has said she is fine with this happening) better for the planet?

brasty · 27/10/2017 10:56

Hummus is very ordinary kids food

Original poster
mauricesom · 27/10/2017 10:57

Thanks for all the nice comments Flowers

What a ridiculous statement comparing forcing eating meat to eating hummus. You do know non vegans can eat hummus?

Why would there be anything wasted? We are all sharing food in the middle of the table, I can't see them leaving any cake for waste nore me and my savoury tooth leaving any of the beautiful sandwiches for the bin. I always carry a food bags anyway.

It's a very non wasteful meal when you all share a selection, where as I often see plates hardly touched being binned in many places.

OP posts:
CountessDraculaofGroantham · 27/10/2017 11:00

I think they’d be fine for one meal and it’s your choice and all that. But I can’t really see the point of potentially having two fussy grandchildren and a stressed daughter all for the sake of a couple of small ham sandwiches on a plate you won’t even have to touch. It’s a bit of a mountain/molehill.

jamila1 · 27/10/2017 11:00

Just tell her there will be no meat, at my last birthday I had the same issue I just told my SIL that all products would not be vegan at the BBQ and if her and her children don't want to eat them to eat before coming because the venue don't allow outside food.

HappyLabrador · 27/10/2017 11:02

I’m not a vegan OP but now I really want a carrot and hummus sandwich.

I think they’ll be fine too, especially if they’re happy to eat vegan food at your house.

StatueInTheSky · 27/10/2017 11:02

high tea and afternoon tea are two very different meals...I need to know which it is! ;)

I think your dd is being ridiculous, either way mind you.

Laceup · 27/10/2017 11:05

That sounds absolutely lovely,I'm vegan ,can I come?

SloeSloeQuickQuickGin · 27/10/2017 11:05

You do know non vegans can eat hummus?

Not by choice we dont and we certainly dont slop it in a sandwich with carrots either .

rolls eyes

brasty · 27/10/2017 11:06

It is strange when people act as though hummus is weird food, If you were saying they were only going to serve vegan cheese sandwiches, then I would agree they would be unlikely to eat them as vegan cheese is rank. But most kids eat hummus.

RhiannonOHara · 27/10/2017 11:07

I think your daughter is being very ungracious to make a fuss about a birthday meal that she isn't paying for. And if the same things will be available that the children eat at your house anyway, it is a total fiction on her part that they won't eat the food at the high tea. I think she's setting a very bad example to them about food fussiness and how to behave when someone invites you out to eat.

TBH I'd be tempted to sack them off and take some friends or family members who know how to behave instead.

People on here are being very weird about a totally unremarkable hummus sandwich, and some posters sound proud of the fact that their children wouldn't eat vegan sandwiches.

brasty · 27/10/2017 11:07

Sloe I am an omnivore and often if I have to buy a sandwich will buy a carrot and hummus one as they are tasty.

C8H10N4O2 · 27/10/2017 11:07

The vegan bit is irrelevant - its fussy eaters. Its entirely possible they won't like the sandwiches at any afternoon tea - you can't guarantee ham and eggs either.

They won't starve if they only eat the cake and scones for one meal.

Slightly bemused at hummus being some weird outlandish food though - hummus salad is one of the most popular sandwiches and hummus is one of the main supermarkets biggest sellers.