4 year old would like to be vegetarian

[NightWakings]

As per the title, my 4 (nearly 5) year old DD has repeatedly stated that she doesn't want to eat "animal food" any more. She regularly asks what is in food (e.g. "what are the sausages made from?"), and then declines it if it involves meat. Last night she was upset about what she thought was chicken in a stir fry, but then ate it happily when I told her it was Quorn (it was).

By way of background, I am a committed but fairly relaxed vegetarian; DH eats meat. Because I do most of the cooking we do mainly eat vegetarian food, but I will also occasionally batch cook bolognaise or fish pie for the DCs, and they get things like sausages (I'll just have a veggie option) or burgers if we BBQ. Of my 2 elder DCs, one is a definite carnivore and likes nothing more than a burger; one leans to vegetarian food (and I wouldn't be surprised if he ultimately chooses to be vegetarian), but will eat some meat and is definitely not ready to give up marshmallows or haribo!!

I'm inclined to take DD seriously. She's a huge animal lover, lovely with our pets, and obviously this is an ethical stance that I support. I am comfortable that I can provide her with a balanced vegetarian diet. I'd still try not to foist my views on her (I've been pretty careful not to do this with my DCs, although do explain to them if they ask why I've chosen not to eat meat) and try to be very relaxed about it so that she can change her mind at any time. But I wouldn't, e.g., trick her into eating meat by not telling her the truth about what her food is.

DH thinks that at 4 she's far too young to decide this (I think he thinks she's looking to win brownie points with me, although I really hope I've not set things up this way!), and should be actively encouraged to continue to eat meat and fish a couple of times a week (which is roughly how often they are served this now - maybe bolognaise once, fish pie once, and fish fingers or sausages or similar once).

Thoughts welcome? I find it hard to assess this objectively as I'd secretly be delighted if my children all (of their own accord) opted to be vegetarian. My own mother didn't support my choice at all (and still every Christmas on occasion makes me feel like a nuisance!!).

To be really honest everyone I knew who was raised vegetarian/went vegetarian as a child is quite small. But apart from that they are all fine. But it would still put me off letting my children become vegetarian.

I was like your dd. Hated meat from day 1 but as a child of the 70s it was a big part of life and I was encouraged to eat it despite protesting and occasionally vomiting (liver!!)
At 11 I worked out what a vegetarian was, told my mum I was one and haven't eaten meat for 36 years.
My parents still feel sad that they didn't see it, as looking back it was fairly obvious! I always found the concept of eating flesh repulsive but it never occurred to my parents at the time that I was being anything other than fussy!

I’ve been veggie since a young teen. I’m rather tall actually. My meat-eating sister is only 4”11. Meat must stunt your growth then...

I would give her a vegetarian diet but would also give a bone broth( without story of origin) to make sure she was getting what she needed.

Wouldn't she get suspicious when she sees the rank smelling pot boiling over the stove for 5 hours??!! It would be easier to chuck a bit of mince into a 'veggie' bolognese if you wanted to trick a vegetarian child into eating meat!

You could just lie and tell her it's quorn. Think my mother did that when I was a teenager and vegetarian. I forgave!

If she wants to eat vegetarian food, give her that. If next week she wants a meat sausage, give her one. As long as she gets a balanced diet, give her food she's happy to eat.

My DDs are omnivores... But we've always taught them meat comes from animals/fish so they can chose to eat animals or not. If one were to declare they were vegetarian we would have to learn some new recipes, but children have the right to choose their own beliefs.

Ummmm to be honest at age 4 i would still give her meat. I would just tell her it's not an animal if she asked.

ou could just lie and tell her it's quorn.
Ummmm to be honest at age 4 i would still give her meat. I would just tell her it's not an animal if she asked.

This is weird and deceitful. Why?
Why would you knowingly disrespect and lie to your child for zero health, nutritional or convenience benefits?
Just to fulfil some weird societal ‘norm’ ?
It makes you sound like arseholes - seriously why would you advise the OP to do this?

I would give her a vegetarian diet but would also give a bone broth( without story of origin) to make sure she was getting what she needed.

I’d love to know the magical essential nutrients that bone broth confers?!?

It’s interesting that the posters who are most vehement about getting ‘nutrients’ Appear to be those who are least knowledgeable about exactly what nutrients they're Trying to get!

Please don’t drop in that bone broth wisdom and then run what is lacking in a veggie diet that boney water contains?

Some people are so IGNORANT and it’s always those ones that preach to vegetarians about a balanced diet.

I have a householdbook from 1930odd and it has recipe for bone broth which of course you turn into invalid soup 😂

@Whoops75

You clearly no absolutely nothing about nutrition.

Definitely believe her and let her choose, she's showing genuine understanding as to why she doesn't want to eat it, as it's not about a taste preference. I'd be so proud!

Just because eating meat is seen as normal and the default option doesn't mean you have to foist it on a child that doesn't want it (I eat meat). A balanced vegetarian diet is perfectly healthy. You're a vegetatian and perfectly capable of managing it well. It might be temporary might not but I would respect that decision either way. Society is changing and I suspect that soon your husband's opinion will be the odd one.

Just give her the same food you eat. I don't know why you would want to insist she eats the meat option that she doesn't want to eat when you're eating a vegetarian alternative yourself!

I was raised vegetarian as were my 4 siblings, not one health issue between us. 2 of them played county level sports as teenagers. My own D.C. has been raised vegetarian and is a healthy weight and plays sport 5 days a week at a high standard. Children do perfectly well on a balanced vegetarian diet.

Bone broth

To be really honest everyone I knew who was raised vegetarian/went vegetarian as a child is quite small

There is zero reason why this would be the case. Neglect can cause children to grow into small adults, and malnutrition. However vegetarians are not malnourished (unless they are also being neglected) so being vegetarian as a child will not lead to small stature as an adult.

In my family we are all average adult height and strong. Two siblings are marathon runners.

@Veterinari I think at age 4 a dc should have some kind of animal based foods in their diets. Frequent dairy and maybe once a week meat.

why? DD has never had meat or fish. Now 9. Growing well, fit and active, doing well as school.

There is absolutely no need for children to eat meat. It's fine if they/their family choose for them to do so but it does no harm at all not to.

Meat is not necessary at all. But once a week is okay with the family. Because we don't eat it much, we appreciate it more.

nothing would make DD appreciate eating a dead animal.

As it's no skin off your nose as you already cook vegetarian meals, I would let her try. It certainly doesn't sound like you are foisting your point of view on her and why upset her by making her eat meat.
Just be prepared for her to change her mind (as they do at that age) and let her know it's ok to do so (that she doesn't feel that she will disappoint you if she does).

You do realise that the second most populous country in the world is about 70% vegetarian/vegan from birth? How do you think these malnourished, stunted brained people manage to reproduce, never mind become one of the countries with the fastest economic growth in the world?

It is easier for the body to absorb its nutrients from animal sources such as iron from meat and vitamin b12 from dairy ( no vit b12 in plant sources)