DC going vegan?

[57mama]

My DC are 12 & 14. They've decided that they want to go vegan because it's "healthier". They've been vegetarian for almost 5 years because they just refuse to eat any meat or fish we serve to them (except the gravy and roast potatoes that they think are vegan ). DH and I will absolutely not be going vegan, whether we let the DC do it or not. I've heard all the stories about vegan kids being malnourished etc, but AIBU to let them? DH thinks it's dangerous and inconvenient, but they'll be cooking for themselves, and surely they can just stop if they want/need to? Any advice would be appreciated!

I doubt you or your husband would take the advice of anyone who supports your kids point of vie, since you’re already treating their vegetarianism as a joke.

Pretending to serve vegetarian friendly food to non meat eaters is not funny.

We don't pretend the foods are vegan, but if they won't do their own research and find out how they're made it's their own fault really.

Ds decided to eat a plant-based diet when he was 18. He didn't say he was vegan because he still wore leather shoes etc. Obviously as an adult it was his choice but i was concerned as he was still growing. He researched it all very carefully and also ensured he ate enough protein. He did it for health reasons rather than animal welfare reasons. He lasted until he went to uni when it all became too challenging for him to maintain and he reverted to being vegetarian.

I do think there's a concern about protein intake especially if they are still growing. the Vegan Society website has some really good information and advice as well as resources.

I think if your DC are serious about it and are prepared to research it with you then you should try to.support it.

Being vegan properly is a lot of work, I was vegan for about 20 years. They would have to help with all of the cooking and shopping. It isn't good enough to just say I want to make you a whole load of extra work but I'm going to sit here and do nothing.
I taught my son to cook at 13 so there is no reason they can't pitch in if they want this to happen.
It's a bit like life really, you get nothing without putting the work in. It will be a good learning experience for them and also if they have to do a lot of the work you will find out how serious they are about it.

I've got a vegan DD. I sometimes cook vegan for all of us and she sometimes cooks for herself.

If you're going to let them, you should probably look at advice from people like the Vegan society. I insist DD upplements vitamin B12 as it is almost impossible to get that on a vegan diet. You may want to supplement omega 3 as well.

In terms of gravy, red Bisto is vegan, no need to give them non vegan stuff. Also, roasties are fine if done in vegetable or olive oil.

Yes let them, but as a PP said, they will have to take a B12 supplement. Probably wise to take iron, too, as non-haem iron can only be absorbed when eaten with vitamin c (I believe). So maybe get them some extra iron and b12.

You can be incredibly healthy and vegan! But it’s hard work, as people have said.

I’d let them and would cook vegan for them too.

Why do they have to cook their own meals? They are children at the end of the day.

Have you cooked the roast potatoes in beef or other animal fat? If so then they aren't even vegetarian, and tricking vegetarians or vegans into eating them isn't clever.

I have a a DD who is recovering from an eating disorder and in order to get her eating properly again and up to a reasonable body weight it had to be vegan food or she wouldn't go for it and each meal would become a battle ground.

You get used to it, and to the products they will eat. Some vegetarian sausages are vegan, as are a number of Quorn products. OK, I personally don't like some of them, but my DD seems to.

It is easy enough to do roast vegetables that they can eat. Add a protein product they will eat and do meat for you and anyone else who wants it.

Tesco ready mix gravy is vegan suitable as far as I can work out. If you want to add stock add an oxo vegetable stock cube. Perfectly good for both meat and vegetarian/vegan dishes.

Support them. That way you can be as sure as you can be that they are doing it properly.

The range of plant based products now available in all supermarkets is increasing well now. Some can be on the pricey side, but much nicer than they were.

They're 12 and 14 so old enough to cook their own meals if they don't want to eat what you make and to clean up after themselves. Also old enough to understand you won't be joining them in their lifestyle choice.

Let them get on with it, just ensure they are getting vitamin supplements.

except the gravy and roast potatoes that they think are vegan

That’s a bit of a shit thing to do. They’re children. I’d imagine they probably still have enough faith and trust in their parents that they’d expect to be told if they didn’t realise that they were eating things made with animal products.

It’ll probably be unsuccessful as you find feeding them animal products unknowing funny.

except the gravy and roast potatoes that they think are vegan wink

A number of posts having a go at this comment, but I don't take it as a mum deliberately misleading her kids!

My DH isn't going as far as 'being vegan' but wants to cut down on meat and dairy for health reasons. I had to laugh when he wolfed down some all butter mince pies before I could stop him, and rolled his eyes at me saying 'you don't think it's really minced MEAT in these, do you?!"

You can be malnourished on any diet.

If they aren't fussy eaters, I'd support them going vegan. Anyone who is willing to eat a wide range of foods will be quite healthy.

If they are vitamin-dodgers, I'd be reluctant to support their dietary choices. (Maybe ask them to draw up a list of at least 5 vegan main meals that cover all major food groups? They are old enough to do independent self-study at school and thus old enough to do a little personal research into a diet they wish to follow. Without some proof that they fully understand they can't survive on French fries and chocolate, I wouldn't support a restrictive diet.)

I'd be delighted to have such principled children.Be very careful of deceiving them regarding food as you could really upset them.Allow them to do research veganism and support them as much as you can.

Tell them they need to do the research and present you with 2 weeks worth of meals that will be plant based and nutritionally complete. It can be done but it needs thought.

Dons flame suit
Honestly while I'm buying and cooking the food, I will not entertain fad diets like being vegan. Allergies and intolerances are all I will cater to

I'm the one who has to wade through the shops, reading labels, spending extra time shopping and crap, then buying the over priced vegan version so guess what kids, you eat what we do, simples. I'm the one who will have to buy any needed equipment, storage containers, things that aren't meat and dairy used.
When they cook, clean and BUY their own, then they can go vegan

I think it’s pretty despicable to feed vegetarians meat-based food and not tell them what they’re eating. They are KIDS. They trust you.

You can’t just wink and chuckle and say it’s their own fault!

they'll be cooking for themselves

That's a huge plus. They'll gain a lot of cooking skills.
I'd hound them about taking B12 vitamins & finding iron in their diet, but otherwise let them get on with it. How do vegans get iron if they don't take supplements or like beans & pulses?

They'll soon make their own veg potatoes & gravy if that's important to them.

Spinach, broccoli all rich in iron. Encourage them to read up, try out new recipes, substitute foodstuff for other non vegan choices. They sound two intelligent, decisive youngsters. It’s never been an easier time to be a vegetarian/vegan, lots of nice options, cook books etc.... around.

For anyone asking about iron.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323902.php

And the b12 questions.

www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients/vitamin-b12/what-every-vegan-should-know-about-vitamin-b12

Btw, OP, if your children remain vegan as adults, they will eventually work out that you were deliberately tricking them and I don’t think they’ll find it as funny as you do. Good luck regaining their trust any time you put food in front of them.

From a pro-vegtn website:

The RDA for iron is ...18 mg/day for pre-menopausal women. Vegetarians (including vegans) may need up to 1.8 times more iron.

1.8 x 18 = 32 mg/day (for the girl) & 1.8 x 8 = 14 mg/day for the boy.

1.9 mg of iron in 100 grams of broccoli. Or 1700 g/day to get to 32 mg/day. Spinach is 6.4 mg/100g, which means only 500 g/day... at least it now seems established that oxalic acid in spinach does not interfere with iron absorption.

Dons flame suit Honestly while I'm buying and cooking the food, I will not entertain fad diets like being vegan. Allergies and intolerances are all I will cater to I'm the one who has to wade through the shops, reading labels, spending extra time shopping and crap, then buying the over priced vegan version so guess what kids, you eat what we do, simples.

You already sounded pretty awful - but just in case anyone wasn’t sure, you helpfully removed any doubt by ending your post with ‘simples’.

Holland and Barrett’s B12 supplements are very good.

They've decided that they want to go vegan because it's "healthier".

I have huge respect for vegans who choose to be so for ethical reasons. Health fad vegans drive me crazy though. It can be a very healthy diet, yes - but are you going to live better/longer because you lay off the cheese and eggs and have soy milk in your tea? No. It’s total bollocks and I wouldn’t want my children believing that. If they care about animals, fine. If they believe scare stories about yoghurt, not fine.