Would you 'allow' your child to become a vegetarian?

[JVL1018]

I don't understand why you think it's weird

Some people just don't want to eat something that has been alive. Would you think it's weird if they didn't want to eat dog (as they do in some Eastern countries)?

I'm not attacking you, I've just never come across someone who thinks vegentarianism is 'weird'. Not the lifestyle for them maybe, but weird?

Yes I think it is odd..if I lived in a country where it was common for people to eat dog, I guess I'd think it was odd if people didn't want to eat it.

I think it's odd to not eat any whole group of food.
I have a friend who does not eat vegetables at all, and I know a kid who won't eat any fruit and I think that's odd as well.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Some people just don't want to eat something that has been alive.

the carrot was alive before you pulled it from the ground.

 

[Laura]

the carrot was alive before you pulled it from the ground.

It sure was, that's why there are fruitarians.

 

[VSL]

True!

 

[JVL1018]

For those like me who gave up meat purely for health reasons, the more one researches a plant-based diet, the more it makes sense to cut it out of the diet.

Like mentioned earlier, B12 is the only nutrient that one can only obtain from animal sources. Although it's technically a bacteria, one doesn't find ample sources of it in plant foods.

BTW, I am not saying that I think it's unhealthy at all to be a vegetarian, I think there are healthy vegetarians and unhealthy ones, just the same as non-vegetarians..though I do think of vegetarians as being more healthy on the whole.

 

[In a hurry]

I don't understand why you think it's weird

Some people just don't want to eat something that has been alive. Would you think it's weird if they didn't want to eat dog (as they do in some Eastern countries)?

I'm not attacking you, I've just never come across someone who thinks vegentarianism is 'weird'. Not the lifestyle for them maybe, but weird?

)T My SIL was a vegetarian for several years, and my MIL had a terrible time with it! She didn't mean to be difficult, but she was always trying to get SIL to eat meat with holiday meals, etc. Or she would bring her a bag of pine nuts everytime she visited! At one point, SIL had 6 bags in the freezer!

 

[froglady]

DD was a "vegetarian" for 10 years. I say it that way as she didn't like eating flesh; she was fine with meat stock based soups, dairy, eggs, etc. She just didn't like the texture of flesh, and wouldn't eat anything "vegetarian" that was similar. (such as a veggie burger)

She was just fine, and it really wasn't a big deal preparing meals for her; she loved vegetables cooked with a roast, etc...she just didn't want the meat.

She started eating small amounts of meat last year for no apparent reason. The funny thing is that her old boyfriend became a vegetarian due to dating her, and still remains one.

Also, when she has travelled abroad, she's found that many chefs seem to think that fish is OK, since it's not technically meat...but it's still flesh and she wouldn't eat it.

My SIL, on the other hand, will not eat dishes/food prepared with meat in any way (such as stock, lard in crackers, eggs in cakes, etc) but she does eat cheese. She keeps separate knives, cutting boards, dishes, etc for her food at home.

 

[hucifer]

BTW, I am not saying that I think it's unhealthy at all to be a vegetarian, I think there are healthy vegetarians and unhealthy ones, just the same as non-vegetarians..though I do think of vegetarians as being more healthy on the whole.

Since I became vegetarian, I have never been healthier. I rarely get sick and I have more energy. Maintaining my weight is very easy.

That's why a few of us didn't get the "weird" comment, especially if you admit that it can be healthier.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

It sure was, that's why there are fruitarians.

I didn't believe you until I Googled it. wow...

 

[In a hurry]

I didn't believe you until I Googled it. wow...

OK, you made me look too! LIke I don't have better things to do with my time...

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I haven't read the entire thread but my DSD announced 3 years ago that she was going to become a vegetarian. My DH bought the veggie burgers that she liked and kept them in the freezer for her. Makes her a veggie meal when she comes to visit. Also makes her special stuffing for Thanksgiving, prepared outside of the turkey. I was actually quite impressed with my DH's acceptance of it.
But I've got to tell you, a teenage vegetarian without parental guidance (which she doesn't have at her DM's) is never a good thing. She always ate salad and fruit at my house. Now, its french fries and vanilla shakes at McDonalds.
I think that if meals are planned correctly then there's nothing wrong with supporting your child's choice. After all, isn't it our job as a parent to teach them to have their own minds.

 

[VSL]

I believe that McD's fries are fried in something which has meat in it - although I can't be sure.

 

[JVL1018]

Since I became vegetarian, I have never been healthier. I rarely get sick and I have more energy. Maintaining my weight is very easy.

That's why a few of us didn't get the "weird" comment, especially if you admit that it can be healthier.

I said I think of vegetarians as being more healthy, not necessarily the vegetarian diet itself..I just think of vegetarians eating lots of good food and no cookies, cake, candy really..I know they can, but the image I have is all vegetables and fruits with maybe a little pasta thrown .LOL

I think an omnivore who eats very little junk would be extremely healthy as well.
Someone who eats lean meats and poultry, not bacon cheeseburgers and steak all the time, and doesn't eat a lot of junk food probably is healthy and slim as well.

 

[Laura]

I believe that McD's fries are fried in something which has meat in it - although I can't be sure.

They're coated with a flavoring that contains beef.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I believe that McD's fries are fried in something which has meat in it - although I can't be sure.

They did and didn't disclose it. I think they changed it now. I don't know...I don't eat fast food. BLECH.

Edited to add: On its website it says no food has been certified vegetarian.

 

[auntpolly]

They're coated with a flavoring that contains beef.

I thought they stopped doing that. I don't eat them anyway, but didn't they claim to stop?

 

[Minnesota!]

Sure! I went vegetarian in 6th or 7th grade - stayed that way until I was 24. Actually going back as we speak - I have cut out meat...need to work on the seafood.

As long as the kid is eating healthy, I don't care if it's carnivore, vegetarian, vegan, whatever..

 

[nhrenee]

Defenitely! Especially since I have been one for 30 years (since I was 15).

 

[JVL1018]

Since I became vegetarian, I have never been healthier. I rarely get sick and I have more energy. Maintaining my weight is very easy.

That's why a few of us didn't get the "weird" comment, especially if you admit that it can be healthier.

Also, I didn't mean any disrespect by saying I think it's weird..it wasn't meant mean-spiritedly.
I eat tomatoes a lot, I LOVE them-especially with mozzarella and vinegar, and I always jokingly offer my husband some and he says no because he hates them and I tell him that he's weird..and I mean it, how can he not love tomato and mozzarella salad??
And I've had plenty of people say I was nuts for hating coffee. LOL
So it was meant in that kind of a way.

 

[Laura]

I thought they stopped doing that. I don't eat them anyway, but didn't they claim to stop?

They didn't disclose the beef flavoring; they started using vegetable oil in 1990. So people thought the fries were veggie. Some Hindu vegetarians were pretty pissed.