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”?
Danielle Hache says
My son however just tonight told me he is not. He wishes not to be a vegetarian or vegan and he would like a piece of chicken (were his exact words). After I made it clear that their will be no chicken in my house and hell have to eat that outside of the home, i started thinking. Well I’m having difficulty with this one, this decision as a parent. I very strongly believe in plant based nutrition and take it seriously. both myself and my son are reaping the benefits, in the last 2 years we have had no flus, colds, nothing we work out everyday, our mood is stable, good energy levels. When we did it meat it was quite the opposite, even frequent hospital visits. I am sure there are others out there who went through or are going through this. As a human rights activist, and free thinker i find it difficult to tell him well no , you may not eat chicken …..i forbid it!!! lol…..but i feel like its bad for his health, my job as parent, ugh i just dont even know. this just happened tonight, right now so it’s fresh and my confusion is getting in the way of me thinking clearly. I guess I will hear some feedback, do some research about stuff other parents did when confronting this.
Danielle Hache says
Wow I just discovered you and am very glad I have. I am a vegan 🙂
My son however just tonight told me he is not. He wishes not to be a vegetarian or vegan and he would like a piece of chicken (were his exact words). After I made it clear that their will be no chicken in my house and hell have to eat that outside of the home, i started thinking. Well I’m having difficulty with this one, this decision as a parent. I very strongly believe in plant based nutrition and take it seriously. both myself and my son are reaping the benefits, in the last 2 years we have had no flus, colds, nothing we work out everyday, our mood is stable, good energy levels. When we did it meat it was quite the opposite, even frequent hospital visits. I am sure there are others out there who went through or are going through this. As a human rights activist, and free thinker i find it difficult to tell him well no , you may not eat chicken …..i forbid it!!! lol…..but i feel like its bad for his health, my job as parent, ugh i just dont even know. this just happened tonight, right now so it’s fresh and my confusion is getting in the way of me thinking clearly. I guess I will hear some feedback, do some research about stuff other parents did when confronting this.
Trisha says
First off I must say I love your blog! I am 17 years old and I have been a vegetarian for 2years and I am currently struggling my way to veganism. My older sister has now been a vegetarian for 8 years, as well as my older brother, and my dad goes back and forth. Because of this my family and how we eat is very vegetarian oriented. But in no way is my family supportive of my decision to go vegan. It’s made it very hard. I try my best to eat vegan now but I know once I move out next year I WILL be vegan. I’m determined. And finding blogs like yours with great recipes and articles like that help me a lot so thank you! I too plan on raising a vegan family 🙂
Heather Mora says
I am a first time reader, a first-time mom and a first-time “just went to the grocery store and bought nothing from the dairy or meat section” trying out this plant-based diet-er. By far my biggest concern with eliminating diary and meat from our family’s menu is how it will affect my 13 month old. So she might keep drinking milk for a while and eating cheese, but I am okay with that. I completely agree with you that a good parent IS concerned with shaping their children’s views on food and steering my baby clear of processed foods seems soooo logical. Anyway, I am trying your nutty burgers tomorrow night and I can’t wait to read through the rest of your posts!
Dreena says
Hi first-timer Heather! 🙂 Well, congrats on making some healthy dietary switches – and welcome to my blog!! I hope you enjoy the burgers, and that you become more confident and comfortable with the abundant nutrition in plant-based foods. One step at a time, good luck and enjoy the journey!
Erica says
This is my first time reading your blog, and already I am hooked! My husband and I have both always been health-conscious and never ate very much meat to begin with, but after a lot of reading and research, in December we made the decision to eat a plant-based diet in our home.
My biggest concern was transitioning our 4 year-old son to a plant-based diet, but, surprisingly, he LOVES vegan food! He makes no complaint about any fruit or veggie or grain we eat, and he is getting all the nutrition he needs to be healthy and strong.
I totally agree with what you said about ALL of us imposing our beliefs on our children, just by virtue of our everyday activities and habits. Personally, I’d rather “impose” veganism on my son than have him later regret years of eating junk and suffering the negative health consequences of a meat- and dairy-heavy diet. So, anyway, thanks for this post and for this beautiful blog! I wholeheartedly agree. 🙂
Dreena says
How sweet of you Erica! Thank you, I’m tickled that you are ‘hooked’. 😉 And, I hope to bring you plenty of good food and cooking inspiration to keep your whole family eating plant-powered happy!