I just felt like venting a bit. I am so tired of reading articles and talking to supposedly "informed" people who come across with this notion that vegetarians can be healthy, "if they work REALLY hard at it and all". Mention vegans and oh no, can't be done safely, it's playing with fire!! Interesting, how omnivores don't have to worry about this at all, right? the simple act of eating dead animals prevents illness, is that how it goes? Let's not mention all the diseases directly linked to consumption of animal products, don't discuss all the controversy over dangerous meat. Nope, we only need to worry about those wacky vegetarians. You'd think we were advocating a diet based solely on Snickers bars & Oreo cookies. It drives me nuts!!

So, yesterday we went to interview our potential future pediatrician, I searched high and low to find someone who came recommended as "alternative". Finding resources for something like this turned out to be next to impossible, even in a large veggie friendly city like this one (Seattle), there just isn't a source that lists veg*n friendly doctors, or ideally doctors who are veg*n themselves, as we'd prefer to support veg owned businesses. Out of the three "maybes" we found, she was the only one covered by our insurance. I feel as if there's no other options. Maybe she'll be okay, the office & other staff was nice, but she seemed snooty. And here is what we really didn't like:

Us: Well, one concern we had was finding a doctor who would be supportive of a vegetarian diet.

Her: (barely letting me finish) I don't tell other people what to do, there shouldn't be any problem with a well-balanced vegetarian diet, so long he wasn't a vegan (she pronounced this like pagan, vauge-un, grr) because that diet isn't recommended and lacks protein.

This coming from a pediatrician who is holistic friendly, more than just that but I can't find her brochure right now.

I feel like there are two opinions in the medical community, hers and the "absolutely not safe, eat beef, drink milk". We are planning to be mostly vegan, so in other words.. she wouldn't approve. I hate the idea of putting up with that. Do you lie and pretend to eat eggs & cheese? do we pay for a half page ad in the daily paper begging for a veg*n doctor? :lol: This attitude just strikes me as absolutely ignorant and we're supposed to trust doctors like this? I'm so tired of this belief that we're the ones who need to be so well-balanced!! I resent having what I see as an intelligent & healthy choice treated like a strange but somewhat feasible experiment. I think we (all of us as veg*ns) should be applauded for caring this much and told "yes, that's excellent, a sensible vegetarian or vegan diet is optimum in my professional opinion!!".

Ok, I'm done. Can anyone with experience tell me something I haven't heard?! :help:

The purpose of a Doctor is to be a whore to the pharmaceutical companies.... although not all go along with this (like my latest Doctor).

They don't get much training in health and nutrition, but then I'm not sure actual health practitioners do, based on one recently asking me if I eat Fish despite knowing I am vegan (of course that could be blamed on the false image those fake vegetarians who eat Fish put out).

Ok, my basic attitude towards this kind of doctors:

Ignoring, and bending the truth.

If he or she says: "vegans have troubles getting x, are you sure you get enough?" I just say I'm sure enough I get enough (and go check it at home or on the net)

Note: be aware of follow up questions like: "oh, how do you get that then?" answer: supplements.

And ignoring, that should be obvious.

Lucky me I have an antroposofic doctor (linked with the "rudolf steiner movement") and he tends to natural medication and is pretty good informed on what is in it.
(but I do check with the manufacturer).

He has no problems with me refusing certain solutions because of animal ingredients.

While i was in colorado the doctors had no issue with my vegan diet, however here in the south they blamed every complication during my pregnancy on my vegan diet.. I was sick from Lupus and Graves diease and have controlled it with my vegan diet now for 4 yrs.

Lilly (now 4) has a Doc that is Muslim and he has zero issue with her being vegan. I assume this is because his diet is different then the norm in the U.S.. When i first said she will be raised Veg he asked if i would be including fish. i said no. He did not seem to be bothered by this.. In her 4 yrs she has never had to see him other then her well checks. He has several times commented on her being such a healthy child.

My advice would be to show the Doc that vegan children can be very healthy..