Would you mention your vegetarian

[Idontknow110]

Hey all, so my daughter who is 4yrs old got invited to a birthday party from School. We are vegetarians, I’m a little bit worried their might not be vegetarian option at the party.
so I haven’t mentioned it to the mum I just thought it’s not her stress, shall I mention it?

on the other hand I was thinking don’t mention it and pack my daughters lunch and if there isn’t any vegetarian options she has some food in her bag?

thoughts please?!

I have a child with allergies and I used to tell the host that my child couldn’t eat X and I’d be happy to provide a packed lunch for the meal part if she’d prefer. The host would ask the venue or provide ds with something that he could have.

If I was host then I’d like to know. Veggie is easy to cater for so it would be no problem for me.

Definitely let them know. DS had a few veggie friends.
I always make sure we have suitable snacks for them.

Of course you must mention it. Cheese sandwiches and tomato pizza are pretty basic party options at that age and the party parent will probably be upset if they find out your DD couldn't eat anything because you didn't tell them! Don't make things more complicated than they need to be. Everyone knows vegetarians exist, it's 2025.

Yes I'd mention it. I'd expect most kids party food to include veggie options and be largely nut free anyway but it is handy for parents to know!

I'd absolutely mention it. However I am very concerned about a 4yr old being vegetarian.

Yes say. Also say your happy to send her a packed lunch id that helps

Good job it's literally none of your business then isn't it!

Yes, absolutely do let the party parents know in advance.

For DS’s party this year there were several vegetarian guests and some who could not have pork products including gelatine, so because we knew that in advance we just bought sweets that didn’t contain gelatine for everyone. Saved any faff of having to keep an eye on who was eating what. We did a big buffet table with one end completely vegetarian foods and one end of foods containing meat/fish. No mix ups as far as I know!

Why?

It’s up to you @Idontknow110 but I suspect a lot of the food will be vegetarian anyway. Is your 4 year old being left alone though? If so, I definitely would mention it.

Definitely mention it.

With the approach you’ve suggested of option to take own stuff.

Also, make it clear what your views on sweets and marshmallows are.

I know lots of veggie households have pragmatic view on sweets at parties but not all.

‘Hi, just to let you know, Elsie is vegetarian. If there’s any party food, I can easily bring something for her. Also, chilled about sweets and marshmallows and stuff at parties and don’t fuss as to whether Theyre veggies.

As someone else asked, why are you concerned?

You should always communicate dietary needs.

That’s rather silly

Yes - this.

We're a vegetarian family and now have young adult DC (all still vegetarian). When ours were young we always let the host of any party know, and offered to provide a packed lunch if they preferred. No one ever asked us to send food, but they did often make sure our children were seated near the veggie food/offered the veggie friendly food first etc.

We were always aware that there was a chance of them accidentally eating something non-vegetarian (especially sweets etc) so just accepted that. However, we did teach ours from quite young to understand what foods were likely to be suitable and to ask if they were not sure (eg. sausages look very similar). I also used to buy some small packets of veggie friendly sweets etc so that I could swap them for any non-veggie sweets in their party bag (after we left the party obviously).

But surely you'd do this anyway? Most party food is naturally vegetarian so as long as the ham sandwiches and sausage rolls are off to one side all the rest such as cheese or egg sandwiches, pizza, hummus and carrot sticks, crisps, sweets, buns etc are suitable for everyone.

This thread is like a 1970s throwback where people think the vegetarian food is special weirdy food sold in health food shops and only eaten by vegetarians.

As a host I would like to be informed.

Not all cheese is vegetarian.

If you want her to eat vegetarian at the party, you should let them know beforehand AND let them know (not offer to) you will send snacks with her.

I used to be very happy about providing alternative food myself, but my children have so many vegetarian, halal, vegan, allergic friends that... just send the snacks with your child, it's a 100 times easier.

This. I think most people are quite accommodating and when my DC were younger most party invites asked to let them know about allergies/ dietary requirements.

Standard supermarket cheese that people use to make sandwiches at kids parties is. They're not going to be using parmesan and artisan French varieties.

Likewise just buy vegetarian sweets as standard, like Percy Pigs or similar. Party rings and Oreos are vegan. It's not hard, it's almost like you'd have to go out of your way to serve non vegetarian food.

Please say to the parents, I had a playdate recently where the child had recently turned vegan (previously hosted many times and eaten meat) and no one told me. It was a sleepover and very awkward trying to change the food/drink plans to include her still last minute.

Definitely tell them, my son is allergic to milk so I always tell the host parent, none have ever batted an eyelid!

Why? My DC has been vegetarian since in utero and has always been healthy.