Vegan children

[MyOtherUserNameIsAUnicorn]

What does everyone do in regards to their children and food? I'm just coming to the end of breastfeeding and will be introducing food soon. I know he definitely doesn't need the nutrients and can cook around that, but some people I know feed their children a non-vegan/veg diet and let them choose as they get older... What's the opinions?

There’s a vegan parenting uk Facebook group which might help. I was raised vegetarian and am very happy that I was (only wish I was raised vegan). The one thing I’d say is don’t be too strict if your child eats non vegan cake at a party or a non vegan sweet. But definitely raise them vegan and give them the choice if they want to eat animals when they’re older.

I'm raising my two DC vegetarian but would think vegan would be much more restrictive... so I guess it depends whether you're happy to enforce it when it gets tricky. Unless your circle of friends are vegan too it would mean no birthday cake at his friends parties, different food from his friends at nursery etc.
Also, young children can be pretty fussy. It's perfectly possible to have a balanced vegan diet, but might prove difficult to nourish a vegan toddler who turns their nose up at whole categories of foods?

My youngest has been vegan since conception and we BLW' s vegan. She's nearly 14 months and eats a healthy and varied diet.

In terms of parties etc that'll be when she's an age where I can explain where things come from and then it'll be up to her to decide if she wants to eat or drink something.

My 5yo and 4yo are starting to make the connection (although have never eaten much meat, don't eat eggs and are dairy free anyway.)

My children are strict lifelong vegans for the animals. At parties I always send them with a box of party type food with a brownie/cake etc. I'm always baking so it makes no difference. I do the same in school, they tell me if they are baking and I send in my own ingredients and they are really good about doing my child's food first because of cross contamination. I understand this is quite extreme but honestly if you met my children you would understand how compassionate they are about vegamism. They don't always eat healthy just like other children have hotdogs, nuggets, pizza, icecream, cheese burgers, sausage rolls etc so do mine. They have never asked to eat meat or drink dairy or eat eggs as they know anything can be done vegan. They have grown up knowing what meat is and what happens to the animals. My youngest is 5 and he even looks at ingredients and scams for the bold. I'm also a lifelong vegan.

@Peoplemaynoticeus that’s amazing

I wouldn't restrict a diet in children - if they wish to become vegan or vegetarian later in life that's fine but a growing body and brain should have a mixed healthy omnivorous diet IMO

@flumpybear nothing unhealthy about well planned vegan diet, gives everything body and brain need. I’m pleased my parents didn’t force a meat based diet on me. All parents make choices about their children’s food. If they want to become meat eaters later in life that’s fine.

DS is 11 and has been a vegan since birth.

His diet is in no way restricted, he eats a full healthy balanced diet. He has an active life, plays sports and is in no way underweight or unhealthy.

Both my dc were raised vegetarian.

Youngest is now vegan at home and if possible out but will be resort to vegetarian if out and no vegan options.
Eldest goes vegan every few weeks.

I am vegetarian I had been for 14 years before DC.

As for needing meat to grow! Really. Do you think all vegetarian raised children are stunted.

All of my children were born large and very long. My youngest was 10lb 7 two weeks early and 65cm long. He's 5 now wears size 2 shoes and is 138cm tall. He towers over older children. Mine are hardly ever unwell. They miss out on nothing and are very smart compassionate children.