[Lord Hillyer]

Quote:

The late Dr. Benjamin Spock, arguably the most influential pediatrician of all time, has left children and their parents with a surprising and rather demanding legacy: advice that they stick to a vegetarian diet devoid of all dairy products after the age of 2.

Full article: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...55C0A96E958260

 

[Lord Hillyer]

This is very significant. As the article points out, Dr Spock's books have been the 2nd best selling books worldwide for over fifty years, outsold only by the Bible. It is a shame that the New York Times, which prides itself as a 'progressive' and objective newspaper, would stack the cards so heavily against Dr Spock (who isn't alive to defend himself) and the vegan diet. Sigh.

 

[jeezycreezy]

I wonder what effect his book (or the article for that matter) has had in the eight years since being published.

And am I just overly sensitive, or is that article severely biased against a vegan diet? Comparing feeding a child a vegan diet to climbing Mount Everest? Holy hyperbole Batman.

 

[Lord Hillyer]

It's not you; it is profoundly biased against veganism. Obviously they got an omni to write the article. Might as well have found a literate wolf or lion to write about veganism.

 

[GanyGreenBean]

I wish people could follow us around sometime grocery shopping, cooking, just living. It's not hard to be a well balanced (dietary) vegan.

I make my own bread every day. It's easy and I can add different things to it to make it delicious and healthy.

It's not hard. People probably think we starve or something with out dairy and stuff.

Grrr... *sighs*

Lets just keep up our good work and show the world how simple it is to be healthy and vegan. *shakes fist*

 

[Lord Hillyer]

BTW I now have a new-found respect for Dr Spock

 

[Amy SF]

That has to be one of the most blatantly anti-veg*an articles I have ever seen, and coming from a newspaper as "prestigious" as the NY Times, yet, is very sad

 

[veggieeater]

But if people feed their children a vegan diet, they'll have to plan it out carefully and actually take the time to cook things!!!

 

[Sevenseas]

Dr. Spock was the best Vulcan pediatrician ever.

Quote:

Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, a pediatrician at Boston City Hospital specializing in child behavior and a longtime admirer and friend of Dr. Spock, called the new dietary recommendations ''absolutely insane.''

I think he's specializing in hotdogs and stupidity.

 

[Pirate Ferret]

Am i the only person thinking of another spock?!

Using the term "All-Plant diet' even sounds biased to me, trying to make veganism sound bland -or am i reading into things too much?

 

[Lord Hillyer]

Great posts. Veggieater, excellent point, and one that struck me too as I read the article. If the parents are truly concerned with their children, they should regulate and monitor what they eat anyway! Regardless of veg, omni etc. Apparently these quacks would prefer McDonald's to regulate children's diets, with 'Happy Meals' [sic] of cheeseburgers, fried potato chips, and chocolate milkshake. Members of the medical profession never cease to amaze. No wonder the most dangerous place in the world is inside a hospital!

 

[echowarrior]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Hillyer

Members of the medical profession never cease to amaze. No wonder the most dangerous place in the world is inside a hospital!

Well of course the medical professionals would condone a plant-based diet, with a healthy population they'd be out of a profession. *duh*

On a more serious note, thanks for sharing... I was unaware of Dr. Spocks philosophy, and very suprised that the article was today and that it was in 'health' rather than 'editorials'...

 

[meatless]

Well the article is nine years old... maybe people are a little more aware now or something.

 

[Pirate Ferret]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatless

Well the article is nine years old... maybe people are a little more aware now or something.

what?! I never check these things!

No kidding, seems a bit pointless giving aggro at opinions this old

 

[Lord Hillyer]

My main point was not to show the lack of enlightenment at the NYT in 1998, but to show the enlightment and 180 turn by Dr Spock at the end of his life, and his courage in promoting the vegan diet in his bestselling book.

 

[echowarrior]

I looked at the top of the NYT page and saw today's date and

just presumed that it meant it was from today (although i found it surprising)!

 

[shineonyou]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate Ferret

Am i the only person thinking of another spock?!

NO!

"They [experts] also said that having to follow a vegetarian diet free of dairy products could place undue social pressures on children, few of whom like to be different from their friends."

Also make sure you let your kids smoke cigarettes so they can fit in.

 

[meatless]

There would be no issues of "fitting in" or being "different" if ALL of them were vegans.

 

[das_nut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatless

There would be no issues of "fitting in" or being "different" if ALL of them were vegans.

That's why I'm going to give my kids cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.

Sure, it might not be good for them, but I want them to fit in!

/sarcasm

 

[eggplant]

People always say that about kids--they hate being different. I for one hated to conform as a child (and still do). People don't give kids enough credit. Actually, come to think of it, people don't give parents enough credit either, acting as if it's impossible for parents to spend the time to ensure a healthy vegan diet for their children. It's as if we expect the least from everyone--veganism is unrealistic and unhealthy because parents aren't intellectually capable of planning and cooking healthy meals for their kids, and kids aren't emotionally capable of living a lifestyle that might be different from their peers. Instead doctors should be encouraging parents to be the best parents they can be and feed their children in the healthiest way possible.