I had an interesting conversation the other night. I was out for dessert with a group of moms that I’ve been friends with for a few years, since Linus was born. We try to get together every few months “just us girls,” and occasionally get the families together for bbqs and the like (although it’s been a while).
Anyway, someone brought up the topic of vegetarian children. Apparently they have a friend (or acquaintance, I guess?) that has decided to bring up their children as vegetarians.
My friend took issue with that. She suggested that the child’s health was being compromised, and it wasn’t right to force a dietary choice on a child who doesn’t get a say in the matter.
Let me give a bit of background, first. I am not vegetarian. I would consider myself a flexitarian. I was a vegetarian for 10 years or so, before I got married, but things have changed since then. We still eat a predominantly vegetarian diet, but we do eat meat or fish 2 or 3 days per week. I read vegan & vegetarian cookbooks & blogs, and I am really prudent on the food that my family eats.
Surprisingly, I took issue with this. Our family keeps kosher, as do several of these women, so my first comment was that keeping kosher forces a dietary choice on a child who doesn’t get a say in the matter. She felt this was different, because a vegetarian diet deprives the child of things that they need (nutrients, protein, etc).
I find it interesting to hear people’s perception of vegetarianism. Although I’m not avegetarian anymore, I am aware of nutrition and food combining, and what foods have protein, carbohydrates, et cetera. Clearly, I disagreed with her, but I was in the minority in the group.
What do you think?
I think it’s bullshit. Parents make dietary choices for their kids all the time. That’s part of our job. Suggesting that vegetarianism deprives children of anything is just plain ignorant.
I’m a flexitarian too. My husband was truly vegetarian for a long time, but
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I feel comfortable posting here as a “flexitarian-by-marriage”…
I agree… What do they know?!? It’s ignorant… or sheltered… Or both.
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Well, I disagree with her. But I’ve done some research on the topic since we eat vegan 80% of the time. We eat meat like maybe twice a month, we eat more fish a bit more often. There are a lot of books that will provide information on how eating meats & dairy on a regular basis is bad for your health. It’s a personal choice and the vegetarians I know, know what to eat to get the right nutrients. They’ll do the same for their children. As good parents ought too.
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