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”?
Molly says
Thanks for the post and blog. I am happy to find a source for more information on vegan parenting. I switched to a plant based diet a year ago after being diagnosed with lymphoma and reading the China Study. I have very young children (3 and 16 months), and they eat mostly planted based. However, I have not taken them off of dairy milk. Do you know any good resources for how much nondairy milk to give to children or if it is ok? I am concerned about the need for fat with growing brains. but I also think that if it’s good for me, it must be good for them. Thanks!
Dreena says
Hi Molly! I have three children, so I understand you wanting to do the best for them. I would recommend that you research some links on http://www.pcrm.org regarding milk and children’s nutrition. There are several varieties of non-dairy milk including almond, soy, oat, coconut, and rice. Most are fortified (just as cow’s milks are). There is a lot of information supporting the health benefits of eliminating dairy from your child’s diet, including on the pcrm.org site. You can also reference books like “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition” (Julieanna Hever) and “Becoming Vegan” (Vesanto Melina). Finally, you might want to look at this post I did on my earlier blog about dairy: http://vivelevegan.blogspot.ca/2012/01/12-reasons-to-not-eat-dairy.html
If you would like to discuss in more detail, I am available for consults (you can check that out on my contact page). Hope that helps some. Thanks. 🙂
brook says
Thank you for this amazing post, Dreena! I don’t have children yet, but am confident I’ll want to raise them as vegans if/when I have them. I agree with you 100%–all parents impose things on their children, but its only when that goes against the norm that it’s viewed as such. This is a wonderful piece I’ll surely share and reference again!
Dreena says
Thank you Brook. 🙂
Christy Morgan says
Interesting topic indeed! I don’t know that I can really comment not having children. But why should we shelter children from graphic things? I don’t understand this. If a child is old enough to choose what clothes he/she wants to wear then he/she is old enough to be told the TRUTH about their food choices. Obesity, heart-disease and cancer are pretty graphic torturous diseases in my opinion. As a parent, the health of your child and future health is your responsibility, so you have to provide the information to help them make informed decisions. Sure they may do what they wants when they are away from the house, but you must educate them to the best of your ability. Parents have the most important jobs in the world! 🙂
Dreena says
Hi Christy! How lovely that you stopped in to my ‘kitchen’ for a chat. 🙂 Children are open to talk about things, and parents usually know what topics – and what specifics of such topics – are age appropriate. Our girls have asked about aspects of factory farming and diseases, and I will explain only as much as I know they can process at their age, and what will not be too disturbing for them. And when they are ready for more details, they ask! And, indeed, what they do as adults will pretty much be beyond any of my influence, I just hope to equip them with what I can to help them make informed decisions for their well-being. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and also your own knowledge and talents for living a healthy, compassionate vegan life with others!
Elizabeth O says
I am just curious: what happens if your children, once they are old enough to be on their own, decide not to be vegan anymore?
Dreena says
Hi Elizabeth, well that will be up to them when they are grown adults, living on their own. Yet, knowing how they love their food and embrace eating a wholesome vegan diet, I’m doubtful they will want to start eating dairy and meat. And, they probably will feel sickly if they experiment and have the odd bit of cheese or meat with friends and not want to have a repeat of that! Still, that will be their decision to make if they choose once ‘out of my nest’. 🙂
Cortney says
There are plenty of children following the SAD that are overweight and malnourished.