To be fed up with 'vegan' kids?

[bakingmads]

We live in an area where it's become fashionable to be vegan gluten free. We know a few kids who are allowed to eat whatever outside the house. I've noticed these kids have an unhealthy relationship with food. They seem obsessed! They never stop eating and if they see meat, it's insane to watch. I've even witnessed a child stealing food from other's plates!

I think if they follow such a strict diet at home because they believe that it's healthier, then why let the kids eat meat outside the house?

It's got a to point where we don't invite them for play dates because they don't seem to want to play just eat.

Not sure if I should mention something to the parents. Is it normal for a child to eat non stop?

I wouldn't invite them, especially because someone who is gluten free are not doing it because it's a fad they can actually get quite ill. I have a friend who is gluten free and her food is quite limited and expensive.
Sorry edited to add I didn't spot you'd already stopped inviting them.
Don't other telling the parents they're just on the latest bandwagon.

So this is a single family? Or several?

🙄

They are not allergic to gluten. It's a personal lifestyle choice for them to eat a gluten free diet at home.

The kids eat everything outside the house. I mean everything!

Well if they're 'vegan gluten free' then you have to cater to their dietary requirements.

Serve them bean chilli and rice, vegetable and chick pea pilaf or chips and beans. Then you don't have to worry about feeding them something you shouldn't or their poor table manners

AIBU to be fed up with vegan bashing?

Do you mean vegan kids in general or this particular family where the kids clearly aren't vegan if they eat meat?

The kids r allowed to eat everything when at other people's house. They r not interested in vegan food when they are over. They want meat! And bread.

How old are these children?

If I were faced with this problem I think that yes, I wouldn't stop inviting them OR invite them for a two hour slot nowhere near mealtimes (if they're of play date age).

I can't say I've ever noticed this tbh I think you must know some very unusual children. The vegan kids I know (or those with dietary requirements) are no more likely than any other kids to pick random food up and they're definitely not mindlessly eating everything in sight rather than playing. Are you sure you're not perhaps exaggerating a bit because you found it annoying having to get some gluten free bagels in for a play date...

This sounds like rubbish you’d read in the Daily Mail. VEGAN KIDS ARE BEING STARVED AT HOME. 🙄

Yep, spot on. Bonkers trying to make children who are by default omnivores confirm to a nutrient-deficit diet. Of course their bodies are crying out for real food and protein, and something with an actual taste!

I don't believe they r being starved. I think they eat a lot in order to feel full. They've clearly lost the ability to know when they are full.

But also if kids r deprived of certain things at home, then I understand why they are so obsessed with things like meat and pasta and bread.

It's actually very sad.

I've never heard of this OP. How many families are you talking about?

I'm going to reframe it as "we want our kids to ideally be vegan and eat less gluten but we don't want to make them difficult for other parents on play dates so they can eat anything then." Could that be it? And have you told the parents what's happening? They genuinely may not know/have good intentions. (Not a vegan or gluten free myself btw)

You have an extremely limited imagination if that's your perception of vegan food (I'm not vegan btw).

Does what they really affect your life? 'Fashionable'... eye roll I don't know much about gf diets but there are so many reasons people eat more vegan food.. slaughterhouses are horrific places where even those working in them go vegan.

It's also not an 'all or nothing' approach... maybe it's too hard for the parents to control what the kids eat outside of the home, so they don't... and that's what works for them.

Seems mean spirited not to have them over to play plus it's super easy to find vegan food/recipes now. Be nice:)

Yes I think you've nailed it.

I don't think they have any idea and I haven't said anything to them. Not sure how to approach it.

They truly believe in their diet.

My mum was a health food obsessive back in the 70s when virtually none else was. We were permanently starving and would always ask for seconds when given a meal. I wasn’t allowed sweets and was obsessed with them.
As an adult, I don’t massively have a sweet tooth but I’m sure my mum’s efforts at the time were counter productive as I wanted to do the opposite of what she enforced at home.

Tried a lot of it.

I believe in a varied healthy diet.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PROTEIN

Yawn...

Seems very weird that they have to follow a strict diet at home but can eat whatever they want outside of the house...makes no sense.

Actually I'd tell their school...it could be a safeguarding issue

Oop quoted wrong person. That was meant for nodddy's comment

I think if the parents want to enforce a vegan diet on their children then they should be willing to send their child to play dates or birthday parties with food that they are happy for their child to eat.

There are plenty of vegan friendly food that is very filling, like potatoes and other root vegetables for example. Vegans aren't hungrier than other people.

I don't really see what your problem is here. They come to yours and they are completely uncomplicating to feed because they eat everything. Would you have the same problem if you had a kid over who normally lives on bacon butties and fish finger sandwiches but is just a hungry kid?