Vegetarian Spinoff

Was anyone raised a vegetarian, or is anyone raising children vegetarian?

I'd like to raise my children vegetarian but I want to really make sure it'll be healthy in terms of growth, etc. has anyone consulted a doctor about this?

Re: Vegetarian Spinoff

i know someone who did this and the girl was so unhealthy. she was so skinny and gross looking with big black circles under her eyes. we felt so bad for her

Re: Vegetarian Spinoff

I plan to raise my children as vegetarians, but not vegan. I cannot imagine why the girl had circles under her eyes and was emaciated. To me, that means that the parents just had no clue as to how to properly nourish their child. I can't imagine how a vegetarian would be any worse off than a child that lives off of McDonalds and chicken nuggets, like most American children are these days. I would be concerned about proper calcium/protein if I were to raise my children vegan, but that's simply bc I'm not educated enough on how to ensure proper nourishment in doing so. I think it's funny how everyone is all concerned about getting proper nutrients into their vegetarian children though and don't think twice about feeding their child finger foods and crap every day. Like just bc they're eating meat they're healthy. I know two friends that raised their children as healthy vegans and my sister raises her child eating chicken, but no meat or fish. Children are picky eaters anyway. My nephew is being raised in a huge meat-eating family and refuses to eat meat bc he hates it. I was not raised as a vegetarian but have been for longer than I haven't.

Re: Vegetarian Spinoff

Re: Vegetarian Spinoff

i dont know. i dont think i would anyway. i'll let them make their own decisions. if they want to be veggie than great, if not thats fine too.
as long as they eat healthy though.

Message edited 2/10/2006 2:57:45 PM.

Re: Vegetarian Spinoff

about that little girl...... perhaps. it probably could ahve been anything, it was just the fact that the parents made her vegetarian and that was how she looked, so i just cant help but associate the two now.

Re: Vegetarian Spinoff

I am not, but I have no doubt that you raise your children to be healthy vegetarians if you are aware of nutrition. If you substitute eggs, nuts, low fat dairy, beans and other high protein food for meat, the child will be fine. It is much better on kids who live on fast food.

Re: Vegetarian Spinoff

Yeah my wife was "born" a vegetarian...has never had a piece of meat (hehehe I could take that statement any number of ways).

But as far as I know she has never had any health concerns because of it. I am just curious if it will be a cause for concern for prenatal development. A visit to a nutritionist, etc. may help out down the line. Anybody have any other details?