Okay, Im pretty new to vegetarianism. I only started a few months ago and am still learning the ins and outs myself. My husband has been incredibly supportive and I think he is seriously considering going vegetarian as well. For now, I am content being a lacto-ovo vegetarians, though I eat very little dairy. I am having a couple issues mostly dealing with other peoples constant interference in our choices. We have three sons.
Our oldest is 9 and was originally not happy about not getting meat with dinner every night. He has gradually moved away from skim milk onto unsweetened soy and appreciates my attempt to give him normal food using meat substitutes. I dont particularly like them, but in order to accommodate a traumatized nine year old, I offer them about once a week. At this age, I dont expect to make his food choice for him but I can make sure that his choices are healthier than the high refined carb, crap diet we had before. Just a couple weeks ago he wanted to try to be a vegetarian. I told him that this would mean we would have to pack his lunch for school each day to which prospect he was thrilled. His school nurse sent home a note saying that she was concerned that Isaac didnt have a protein source with his lunch. About twice times a week he takes a boiled egg, though he doesnt eat the yolk. His diet consists of things like peanut butter and real fruit jelly sandwiches on whole wheat, fruits, veggies, leftovers from the kitchen, some cheese, corn tortillas, polenta (he really likes that), and nuts. He also still buys milk at the cafeteria but he asked if he can take soy. If I find a container to keep it cool, I will probably let him.
My next son is three and here is where Im starting to run into trouble. Generally, Ive noticed that young children dont eat a lot of meat. Sure, they may really like Micky Ds chicken nuggets, but lets be honest, thats not really meat. Therefore, I have been trying to transition him to a vegetarian diet. He hasnt complained a bit. Since kids like simple foods where they know exactly what they are eating, a typical dinner for him would be a piece of whole wheat bread or beans or some carbohydrate offering, leftover vegetable pieces from the salad I make, i.e. pepper, tomato, cucumber, carrot pieces, a piece of white cheese, about once a week an egg, a glass of water (occasionally apple juice) and a banana or other piece of fruit. He snacks on trail mix, fruit, veggies and yogurt. His daycare provider is constantly harping at me that he is going to be malnourished. She says that he needs more protein because he is too skinny. Honestly, hes not overweight, but certainly not underweight either. He just isnt like the rest of the obese boys in her care. She gives him things like chicken nuggets, bbq beef, hotdogs, sloppy joes and is cranky that he wont eat them. Im not going to interfere in her food program because its only once a day and other than this issue, she is an incredibly good sitter who shares our values and our faith. Its worth every penny we pay her. However, she actually called a dietician friend of hers and asked her to call me and talk about Noahs diet. Im of the opinion that Noah doesnt eat all that meat because its, first of all, not real meat and really salty. He isnt used to all that sodium and it doesnt taste good to him and secondly because kids generally know what their bodys need instinctually. If they are offered a large variety of healthy foods consistently, they will pick what they need. Obviously, you need to pay attention to their choices and make sure they are getting some of everything, but its by this paying attention that Ive noticed that he eats different things throughout the week. Some nights all he eats are veggies, others bread and still others more cheese. As further proof that I think this diet is working, he hardly ever gets sick and has tremendous energy.
My third son is four months old. He is breast-fed, which means he eats what I do. Once again, all I hear is that I need protein or hes going to get sick. Because I was concerned that he get what he needed, I have taken him to the doctor every two weeks since starting the vegetarian diet. Since going vegetarian, his weight gain has been better, his color is beautiful and he seems to need to eat less frequently which leads me to believe my milk is better. The doctor is in agreement and recently released me to see him on a regular schedule. He is confident that Ethan is getting what he needs and more. Once again, outsiders are constantly butting in, telling me the same old tired things (only three months in and I already think this stuff is tired.) Ethan is like my other two, tall and skinny - on the low end of the weight chart and the high end of the height chart.
In addition to my kids, Ive also got people from my church going nuts. Im Roman Catholic and was asked to share a testimonial at a retreat for CCD teachers. I wrote about my choice to become a vegetarian and how it was very much a faith based decision. I didnt knock meat eaters, just explained that my conscience would no longer allow me to support the meat industry as it is currently being run. I was actually told that I was not to share that with my students as it would be too controversial for them. That God didnt want us to be vegetarians, he wanted us to eat both and that there was nothing wrong with a hamburger in Gods eyes. (Im thinking they missed the point, but Im not trying to start a debate.) I resigned from CCD teaching and will not be doing it this year. I absolutely do not want to leave my faith, but once again, does it really have to be one or the other...seriously? God must look at us Christians and just shake his head...we really do miss the point sometimes.
The worst part is, the conversation always ends with, I dont care if you are a vegetarian, but dont force your beliefs on me. Are you kidding? I havent forced anyone to do anything, Ive simply asked to be allowed to eat what I want and have my kids eat what I think they should eat. Apparently, Im forcing my beliefs on them because I dont take them to McDonalds twice a week. Incredible!
Has anyone else encountered this stuff? What are some tactful ways to deal with it without there being a doubt that you are not caving? Im seriously afraid some of these people are going to call the health department on me for child abuse or report me to the local diocese...Im only slightly joking.
Mackenzie
Our oldest is 9 and was originally not happy about not getting meat with dinner every night. He has gradually moved away from skim milk onto unsweetened soy and appreciates my attempt to give him normal food using meat substitutes. I dont particularly like them, but in order to accommodate a traumatized nine year old, I offer them about once a week. At this age, I dont expect to make his food choice for him but I can make sure that his choices are healthier than the high refined carb, crap diet we had before. Just a couple weeks ago he wanted to try to be a vegetarian. I told him that this would mean we would have to pack his lunch for school each day to which prospect he was thrilled. His school nurse sent home a note saying that she was concerned that Isaac didnt have a protein source with his lunch. About twice times a week he takes a boiled egg, though he doesnt eat the yolk. His diet consists of things like peanut butter and real fruit jelly sandwiches on whole wheat, fruits, veggies, leftovers from the kitchen, some cheese, corn tortillas, polenta (he really likes that), and nuts. He also still buys milk at the cafeteria but he asked if he can take soy. If I find a container to keep it cool, I will probably let him.
My next son is three and here is where Im starting to run into trouble. Generally, Ive noticed that young children dont eat a lot of meat. Sure, they may really like Micky Ds chicken nuggets, but lets be honest, thats not really meat. Therefore, I have been trying to transition him to a vegetarian diet. He hasnt complained a bit. Since kids like simple foods where they know exactly what they are eating, a typical dinner for him would be a piece of whole wheat bread or beans or some carbohydrate offering, leftover vegetable pieces from the salad I make, i.e. pepper, tomato, cucumber, carrot pieces, a piece of white cheese, about once a week an egg, a glass of water (occasionally apple juice) and a banana or other piece of fruit. He snacks on trail mix, fruit, veggies and yogurt. His daycare provider is constantly harping at me that he is going to be malnourished. She says that he needs more protein because he is too skinny. Honestly, hes not overweight, but certainly not underweight either. He just isnt like the rest of the obese boys in her care. She gives him things like chicken nuggets, bbq beef, hotdogs, sloppy joes and is cranky that he wont eat them. Im not going to interfere in her food program because its only once a day and other than this issue, she is an incredibly good sitter who shares our values and our faith. Its worth every penny we pay her. However, she actually called a dietician friend of hers and asked her to call me and talk about Noahs diet. Im of the opinion that Noah doesnt eat all that meat because its, first of all, not real meat and really salty. He isnt used to all that sodium and it doesnt taste good to him and secondly because kids generally know what their bodys need instinctually. If they are offered a large variety of healthy foods consistently, they will pick what they need. Obviously, you need to pay attention to their choices and make sure they are getting some of everything, but its by this paying attention that Ive noticed that he eats different things throughout the week. Some nights all he eats are veggies, others bread and still others more cheese. As further proof that I think this diet is working, he hardly ever gets sick and has tremendous energy.
My third son is four months old. He is breast-fed, which means he eats what I do. Once again, all I hear is that I need protein or hes going to get sick. Because I was concerned that he get what he needed, I have taken him to the doctor every two weeks since starting the vegetarian diet. Since going vegetarian, his weight gain has been better, his color is beautiful and he seems to need to eat less frequently which leads me to believe my milk is better. The doctor is in agreement and recently released me to see him on a regular schedule. He is confident that Ethan is getting what he needs and more. Once again, outsiders are constantly butting in, telling me the same old tired things (only three months in and I already think this stuff is tired.) Ethan is like my other two, tall and skinny - on the low end of the weight chart and the high end of the height chart.
In addition to my kids, Ive also got people from my church going nuts. Im Roman Catholic and was asked to share a testimonial at a retreat for CCD teachers. I wrote about my choice to become a vegetarian and how it was very much a faith based decision. I didnt knock meat eaters, just explained that my conscience would no longer allow me to support the meat industry as it is currently being run. I was actually told that I was not to share that with my students as it would be too controversial for them. That God didnt want us to be vegetarians, he wanted us to eat both and that there was nothing wrong with a hamburger in Gods eyes. (Im thinking they missed the point, but Im not trying to start a debate.) I resigned from CCD teaching and will not be doing it this year. I absolutely do not want to leave my faith, but once again, does it really have to be one or the other...seriously? God must look at us Christians and just shake his head...we really do miss the point sometimes.
The worst part is, the conversation always ends with, I dont care if you are a vegetarian, but dont force your beliefs on me. Are you kidding? I havent forced anyone to do anything, Ive simply asked to be allowed to eat what I want and have my kids eat what I think they should eat. Apparently, Im forcing my beliefs on them because I dont take them to McDonalds twice a week. Incredible!
Has anyone else encountered this stuff? What are some tactful ways to deal with it without there being a doubt that you are not caving? Im seriously afraid some of these people are going to call the health department on me for child abuse or report me to the local diocese...Im only slightly joking.
Mackenzie
