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”?
SaraMM says
This is a fantastic post! We’re raising our 2 1/2 year old vegan because we feel it is better for her health and for the animals/planet. It’s a win-win for everyone. Our daughter gets to grow up compassionate and with all the nutrients she needs (with a B-12 vitamin kicked in of course).
Didn’t my parents impose their catholic beliefs in me? Yes, they certainly tried to. In the end I made my own decision as an adult which my daughter will also get to do but growing up in my parents house I did as they directed-ate meat, tons of fatty ice cream sundaes and went to a catholic church. Nobody criticized them and acted like they were mistreating me for those choices because they were not. They were raising me the way they believed life to be and that is what I’m doing for my child.
She’s incredibly energetic, has outstanding verbal skills which says to me she’s getting very brain healthy foods and she’s happy. At her last check up her iron was fantastic! Do critics realize you can even get iron from dark chocolate? Meat doesn’t have a monopoly on iron!
Thank you Dreena for always hitting the nail on the head!
Nicole Boggs says
I was just thinking of this question this morning. I recently have become Vegan and i have 3 children. Two of my kids have meat allergies, so i thought it’ll be super easy for them. They go to a charter school that supports this type of lifestyle(most of their friends are Vegan or Vegitarian). They are 10&7. My husband didn’t like this idea. He’s trying to support me(i make all the meals in the house), so everyone’s Vegan at home. The kids luch is Vegan because i make them. So do i ask them or do i make the decision for them. I know it’s great for them to be Vegans, but if my family isn’t going to support me…this decision has become hard.
Dreena says
Nicole, for sure it helps to have support with your family, and especially with your spouse as children take cues from us as parents. Give yourself credit for making the changes you are, and I would encourage you to keep at it. If you can show them that the food is delicious and satisfying and that they aren’t “missing” a thing… and then if they are feeling better with eating those meals… that will help bring them on board. Good luck, and sending you support.
Amber says
I love this article!!!
I ESPECIALLY love what you wrote in reply to the question about you “imposing” your beliefs on your children. so many meat eaters are imposing their meat eating beliefs on their children and won’t admit it but then when they see a vegetarian or vegan raising their child that way and they don’t agree with it they are gonna blame you for “imposing” your beliefs. it’s ridiculous. even though, like you said, you are somewhat imposing your beliefs on them, because you want them to be healthy and know how to keep themselves healthy.
I myself am a vegetarian (13 years going strong) hoping to eventually become vegan. I have cut down significantly on my dairy over the last year but I am just so addicted to cheese that I keep finding myself going back to it =/ but I’m working on it. I also am not a mother yet but when I do have children I am definitely going to raise them as vegan as I possibly can, and hopefully I will be vegan myself by then, because I would hate to deny them cheese if I’m eating it myself =/
anyways I love your blog and your site!
take care!
Jenni says
Thank you so much for writing this! I totally agree with everything and as a future parent (one day) this is very encouraging.
TransformingAFatGirl says
… and I should also mention that my journey is made even more difficult by my parents archaic way of eating. Even though they eat “healthier” (lean meats and lots of fruits & veggies) they still believe a vegetarian diet is only necessary at least once a week (and I will bet even that doesn’t happen). AND by my obese, type 1 diabetes boyfriend who is very picky, eats too much and insists on most of his diet being from processed food. UGH this journey will be difficult but so worth it WHEN I succeed!
TransformingAFatGirl says
I am so glad I stumbled upon you and your blog. I love your recipes, your blog and your ideas.
I am TRYING to become a vegan.. moving right past vegetarian but it is a struggle even though I lie to people and tell them I am already a vegan! (ya.. that after I snuck a Whopper w/cheese yesterday for lunch and the sausages tucked in to a super fattening crescent roll w/cheese for lunch today) I LOVE the idea, I DO eat MANY vegan meals a week (balanced the Whopper with a delicious vegan chickpea & sweet potato & kale curry for dinner last night) but I am not all the way there yet! I do LOVE vegan meals when I take the time to make them and wonder why I don’t force this on myself all the time. I just finished making a double batch of your Super-Charge Me! Cookies for me & for my daughter to take on a trip… let me just tell you.. they are DELICIOUS!! I would never miss the eggs or butter!!
I WISH I could impose my opinion on my 18 year old daughter, perhaps if I finally followed through and transformed she may be more inclined to listen. I wish more than anything though that I had stumbled upon this vegan way of eating 18+ years ago. I most certainly WOULD have imposed a vegan diet on my daughter (& myself) and I think the transition from meat to plant based would have been easier. I wonder if the mental health issues she has suffered from would have been prevented as well. I strongly believe this is the way we are supposed to eat. I strongly believe many childhood illnesses like autism could even be prevented. I even believe eating this way and prevent or cure some cancers (if not all). So why is it so hard to just ditch my previous way of eating and transform from a fat girl to a healthy girl??
Dreena says
It’s so hard because the food that you are going back to IS so addictive. It has been scientifically shown that these fast foods are addictive, as well as dairy. It takes time to reprogram your palate, so please know that. Look into some of the information on http://www.pcrm.org. There is a lot of good info from Dr. Barnard there (and in his books) about how addictive these foods are – as well as how unhealthy they are and their connections to chronic diseases. Also, “The China Study” is a game-changer if you haven’t read it.
Mostly I want to say, yes you can transform, and along the way, while you are eating those healthy foods – start looking at yourself as a healthy girl in progress! 🙂 I grew up eating junk food and having terrible cravings for the worst foods. And, I was very chubby as an older child and young teen. So, I understand how it’s hard, and no doubt even harder the more years you live eating this way. But, many people with similar stories are making these healthy changes. You can do it too. Just keep on keeping on, as I say! And, poke around my site for healthy, nutrient-dense recipes. Keep experimenting and cooking and crowding out those unhealthy foods with new healthy food choices. Good luck, and thanks for your good words as well.