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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find mumsnet so hostile to vegans?

348 replies

RebornFlame · 27/08/2019 17:19

No based solely on but inspired by a couple of threads in the last few days. I’m not quite vegan yet but plan to be fully by the next few months and none of my friends, about quarter of whom at vegan are not sanctimonious or preachy at all.

Also please stop bashing vegan cakes! They’re yummy!!

OP posts:
Chillisauceboss · 31/08/2019 11:10

You're entitled to your opinion but I am fully confident my child, my pregnancy and my 13 month breastfeeding is absolutely perfectly fuelled by my Vegan diet. I've never felt better

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 11:17

If you breastfeed then you are basically conceding that your child needs animal products.

BertrandRussell · 31/08/2019 11:23

“If you breastfeed then you are basically conceding that your child needs animal products.”

What utter bollocks

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 11:25

So, you can raise a child from newborn solely on plants?

Chillisauceboss · 31/08/2019 11:38

Hahaha I've heard some nonsense on here but putting forward an argument based on me breastfeeding means I'm conceding they need animal products has to be one of the best. Absolutely brilliant thanks for the lols

Yes my child is raised on plants. Lentils, beans, grains, nuts, seeds, tofu, seitan, and some vegan alternatives like vegan cheese and vegan yoghurts.

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 11:44

So you can't answer this question?

So, you can raise a child from newborn solely on plants?

I'm not one of those crackpots who say that breastfeeding isn't vegan. But there's a reason you breastfeed. Breastmilk isn't a plant food, therefore it's an animal food.

Chillisauceboss · 31/08/2019 11:45

I answered it I - I breastfed until 6 Months exclusively and now she has a Vegan diet

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 11:47

So your child needed an animal product. And no, you haven't answered the question.

Chillisauceboss · 31/08/2019 11:50

I answered it I - I breastfed until 6 Months exclusively and now she has a Vegan diet

Chillisauceboss · 31/08/2019 11:51

She needs milk from me specifically and tailored for her. She doesn't need any milk from an animal

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 11:53

So, she needed some form of nutrition that didn't come from plants? Hmm, wonder why that might be?

You sound totally brainwashed by the way.

But yeah, cutesy animals blah blah

Chillisauceboss · 31/08/2019 11:54

Well I'm plant based so guess my milk is too... 😂

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 11:56

Well I'm plant based so guess my milk is too

That's interesting you find that funny

MaximusHeadroom · 31/08/2019 11:57

If you breastfeed then you are basically conceding that your child needs animal products.

Ah like the EU's straight bananas, I knew this old chestnut would pop up again Hmm

@formerbabe

  1. Breastmilk is designed to be optimum for human babies. It is produced by humans for humans.
  1. If the mother is vegan, the milk is made without any animal products. Therefore it is vegan.
  1. Ethical vegans don't believe that people should only eat plants. They believe that as far as possible humans should not exploit animals. You are thinking of plant-based vegans which is a subset of veganism.

By all means, don't be vegan. Don't buy into the beliefs of vegans you are absolutely entitled to. But if you feel the need to berate others for their choices, at least educate yourself properly.

Chillisauceboss · 31/08/2019 11:58

I do find it funny how invested you are in how I feed my child. I fully respect you can feed yours how you want and as I maintain I'm fully confident my whole family gets everything they need from a Vegan diet. I don't take this as serious as you and can see the funny side of your argument :)

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 11:59

But if you feel the need to berate others for their choices, at least educate yourself properly

Yes I have done.

Perhaps have a look at anti nutrients and phytic acid and educate yourself.

MaximusHeadroom · 31/08/2019 12:00

@formerbabe

I don't believe for a moment that a vegan diet is appropriate for children. I have read lots of research on both sides of the debate and consider it to be an extremely unnatural way for humans to eat.

Judging by your understanding of breastfeeding I very much doubt you have read much.Hmm

MaximusHeadroom · 31/08/2019 12:03

Oh and last time I read the nhs change for life healthy eating stuff aimed at kids, it recommends lower fat milks...personally I think that's bullshit. I buy full fat milk for my children.

So you ignore expert advice unless it reinforces your narrative?

You're not Michael Gove by any chance?

Chillisauceboss · 31/08/2019 12:06

@formerbabe would you say the cows who eat grass, produce milk and then feed their young (and some of ours) also need more than just the plants and grass they eat? Should they have meat and animal products too?

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 12:06

If you're vegan for ethical reasons then fine

I've never heard a vegan say that they are vegan for ethical reasons, but also concede that its not the most optimal diet in terms of nutrition and health.

Why constantly defend it as being so healthy? Why not just be honest and say, it's not ideal but it's worth it in your opinion.

If it was so great, you wouldn't need to supplement.

QualCheckBot · 31/08/2019 12:07

MaximusHeadroom One thing I do hate is the idea that raising children vegan is bad for them. Vegan children can be very healthy and very unhealthy, just like omnivorous children. Vegan parents are aware there is a risk of deficiency so they are likely to check things and use supplements. We love our children as much as the next parent and want them to be healthy.

Does it not depend on which proteins you inherit through DNA, so as to facilitate the ability of the proteins your body produces to digest food? That's why some people cannot tolerate gluten or other food types. The Inuit (an extreme case) have evolved to have proteins which enable them to thrive on a high meat and low carb diet). If you inherit certain DNA, you simply will not thrive on a vegan diet, whereas another person with different DNA might do so.

If veganism is really so combined with regard for animal welfare, are vegans making a big thing of improving slaughterhouse and animal transportation conditions? Because obviously many people will always eat meat and so animals will always be farmed for meat.

QualCheckBot · 31/08/2019 12:09

Chillisauce @formerbabe would you say the cows who eat grass, produce milk and then feed their young (and some of ours) also need more than just the plants and grass they eat? Should they have meat and animal products too?

Protein powder made out of milk is a very common addition to the diet of farmed cattle...

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 12:09

Anyway, if you put animal welfare aside for a moment. Look at a vegan child's meal...would that meal be improved nutritionally by adding an organic egg to it? It's a yes or no question.

Chillisauceboss · 31/08/2019 12:12

@formerbabe my answer is no. I do not believe my child's meal would be better with an egg. I've carefully researched and I'm confident in providing everything she needs.

formerbabe · 31/08/2019 12:13

@formerbabe my answer is no. I do not believe my child's meal would be better with an egg. I've carefully researched and I'm confident in providing everything she needs

So the meal would be nutritionally poorer by adding an egg to it? Is that what you're saying?

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