Discussing vegan parenting and the notion of “imposing your beliefs” on your children. How is vegan parenting different than any parenting?
Vegan Parenting Update: Since I first posted this, our eldest just moved for university!
I’ve been thinking a lot about being a mom lately. Partly because our eldest is turning eleven this week, and I cannot believe she is growing so quickly (don’t all moms say that? It’s true).
And, partly because this Pregnant Chicken piece brought me back to those ‘new mom’ emotions and experiences – again timely with our daughter’s birthday approaching.
And then this Should Kids Go Vegan? article was circulating. There is a quote in the article, which brings back that tired assumption about vegan diets:
“The main problem I have with this book is that children are impressionable, and this is too sensitive of a topic to have a child read this book,” Nicole German, a registered dietitian in Atlanta, writes on her blog. “It could easily scare a young child into eating vegan, and, without proper guidance, that child could become malnourished.”
Vegan Diet vs. “Normal” Diet
Yes, I suppose without proper guidance a child eating vegan could become malnourished. But so could a child on a meat and dairy-centric diet. Or, that “well-rounded” SAD approach to eating.
How much fibre are they getting on that diet? How much vitamin C? What about phytonutrients? And antioxidants?
Let’s flip that and talk about what most kids ARE getting a lot of on the standard diet…
Cholesterol. Saturated animal fats. Refined sugars. Refined flours. Empty calories. Probably trans fats and artificial colors and flavorings. Wait, you say, they can also get the sugars, white foods, and artificial junk on a vegan diet.
True. Except…
Most people eating vegan are very conscious about their food. We have to be, people are always asking us where we get calcium/protein/iron! 😉
Jokes aside, we tend to become attentive to the nutritional side of eating vegan. And even if they don’t personally, that typically changes with vegan parenting Because when you have a child, everything changes.
It’s not just about you anymore. All of a sudden, there is a small, innocent, vulnerable baby looking up at you. That baby is completely dependent on YOU for their survival and growth… to make choices in their best interest, for their health and well-being.
Vegan Parenting: Any different than ‘omnivore’ parenting?
Parenting is an awesome responsibility, and vegan parenting is one that I did not take lightly.
And, to move away from that one quote in the aforementioned article. I’ve often read, and heard people say: “Aren’t you imposing your beliefs on your children as a vegan?”
Yes. I am. Aren’t you imposing your beliefs as a meat-eater? Don’t we impose all our beliefs on our children, particularly in early, highly developmental years?
From how much tv they watch, which songs they listen to, what school they attend, which activities they are in, what manners they display around the home and in social situations, whether they go to McD’s or some other nutrient-empty fast food joint.
Don’t we all impose our beliefs as parents? At least in early years we do, until they gain more independence to make some of their own judgements and decisions. The only difference is which beliefs and values we are instilling, or imposing.
So, YES, in this role of vegan parenting, I want to impose my beliefs in eating a whole-foods vegan diet on my children. After all, I chose it for myself out of health, why wouldn’t I want my children to similarly benefit?
Of course, I researched the suitability of a vegan diet for children once I became pregnant. I was prudent in making healthy food choices for them.
Vegan Parenting: ah-ha moment!
And you know what? Our three girls value real food. They love our meals. I have even heard this at dinner:
“I am thankful mommy decided to eat vegan and feed us this healthy, yummy food“.
I am not kidding. And my kids are not angels. (I’ll save that for another post.) 🤣
But I am telling you, as a kid that grew up eating junk it took years to retrain my palate. Food habits – and preferences – start early.
I started with whole-foods plant-powered diet, and am optimistic that our girls will continue on this health- and compassion-promoting diet. So teach ’em wisely, teach ’em early, I say.
What about you – are you beginning or immersed in vegan parenting? Were you raised eating vegan or vegetarian foods? What is your take on this article and the notion of “imposing your vegan beliefs”?
Pranav Pillai says
I think that the whole “imposing your beliefs” argument has plausible points on both sides. In a world where most people are not vegan/vegetarian kids who are vegan might feel that they are essentially social outcasts. For instance, you go to your friend’s birthday party and you can’t eat the birthday cake or pizza. Imagine how that would feel.
Having said that I don’t think raising your kids vegan is wrong. You can try to influence them when they are young. But when they reach their teens and maybe even preteens let them make their own choice. I know many of close family and friends who have done this with their kids. When the family goes out to eat the kids order meat and the parents order vegetarian. But at home they cook and eat vegetarian. I think that when you try to force one’s beliefs it could lead to rebellion and possible familial estrangement. My parents would have been fine if I drank underage. Not extremely underage but maybe 18 or 19. But since I knew the risks I am now 21 and don’t drink. I have considered doing it, but am not sure. It was my willful choice.
Aman says
Im a lifelong vegetarian from a vegetarian family. In all honesty I think it is wrong to raise your children as Vegetarian/Vegan if thats not the norm in the country you are in – solely from a mental health standpoint.
I can only speak from my experience – parents are from India where half the country is vegetarian, however they emigrated to the UK which is well over 95% omni.
Being brought up vegetarian led to bullying because I was different, not ever fitting in and even impacted my dating life as an adult. As I had been fully informed and to an extent indoctrinated on meat/killing, even the idea of having meat in the house causes a gut reaction of disgust – which made dating an omni difficult mentally. These feelings of not fitting in and inability to be fully in society and date whoever I want led to depression and suicidality. Even though I am in a better place I still struggle with this feeling of ‘other’. So please please put your kids above the animals. I know a vegan diet is healthier. But if your kids feel as seperated as I did its really not worth it and you are putting the animals above your own kids. Thats my feelings anyway – let them decide as adults so its informed rather than indoctrinated.
Natalya says
I was raised on a meat/dairy/egg/veggie diet and was still bullied, still felt alone at many points in my life, was depressed and suicidal plenty of times. I had abusive relationships and all sorts of things bad. I’m now Vegan and it’s truly the best thing I’ve ever done until I had my son. We all have battles in life we need to face and learn from. You were simply more educated than the people around you, and smart or more educated people deal with that every day. That’s not a bad thing or is it bad to be different, I find it refreshing that you’re disgusted in meat.
I do understand the separation from reality thing but it’s more of separation from being average or from following.