POTD: Children and Nutrition: Omnivores Vs. Vegetarians

VLillyV

Weigh in below! 

Are you vegetarian/vegan and plan on raising your child the same? Or, are you an omnivore and plan on having a diet that incorporates meats and veggies? 

 
VS  

jessafishy

If my child eats anything remotely nutritious I am counting it as a win.

mrs_fogue

I'm all aboard the - my kids eat what we eat because I'm not about to make a separate meal - train.  That goes with saying that if they prefer one over the other I would never force my kid to eat it.

I remember growing up I hated squash and every time we had squash my mom would make me eat it before I could get up.  I still to this day can't stand it and I think it's just the negative connotation I associate with it.  I would never force my kids to finish their food or to eat something they truly don't like. 

natleilynn

I love all the foods.

Also, I'm southern. Chicken 'n dumplins, pulled pork and grilling burgers is more than a past time. It's a lifestyle.

bluejeanbabi05

@mrs_fogue So much agreement here. I remember my dad sitting across from me at the table once making me eat all my brown beans. To this day, seeing any kind of beans makes me nauseous. I live in South Florida- rice and beans are like our national food. It's tragic.

JessDG

We are adventurous eaters and we want our kids to be too, so we plan to expose them to what we eat!  DH grew up in a house where they had the same old things over and over and his parents were afraid to try something new.  We like to cook for them but because there are so few things they like we have a hard time.  It's a wonder DH isn't super picky like the rest of his family.  

mrs_fogue

natleilynn said:

I love all the foods.

Also, I'm southern. Chicken 'n dumplins, pulled pork and grilling burgers is more than a past time. It's a lifestyle.

You don't have to be so healthy!  I'm thinking more like Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, anything smothered in gravy.  You know we like a little meat and veggies with our grease around here.

ChocolateIsLife

I'm a SS. I'm trying to eat limited meat, mainly for inflammation/stomach reasons, and would like to become vegetarian eventually. I would not push this on anyone though, and plan to introduce all the food to our little one. Hopefully she just likes food and isn't too picky. I really don't want to create an environment where I'm cooking 3 different meals for everyone, and have seen that be the norm for some families and it looks exhausting. Also after typing that I want to eventually be vegetarian, I feel like that is a long way out. I would kill for a medium rare NY strip right now.

beezeee

I had to SS on this one. I was a vegetarian for 7 years, including when I was pregnant with DD and until she was 1. She probably did not have meat during that time, based on her age, but I really don't remember. DH has always been a meat eater. 

My thoughts: regardless of my diet, she would have ended up eating meat. However, if I was still a vegetarian, her meat exposure would have been minimal, just bc we didn't make a lot of meat since I didn't eat it. If both parents are veggies, then it makes sense the kid would be too. IMO, that's ok, as long as the parents properly educate the children on a well balanced diet and incorporating non-meat proteins AND if they allow the kids to try meat when/if they want to. Same goes for the other way around- if, when she is older, DD makes an educated decision to be vegetarian, I will respect that, assuming she properly supplements proteins, etc.

carries2018

my sister/BIL (primarily BIL, my sis dgaf she just goes along with it) are vegan and are raising their son vegan. now whilst if it is a value that is important to you, i understand the notion for feeding your kids what you eat. HOWEVER, kids are freaking kids, and there are lines you can easily cross. the amount of anxiety my 4yo nephew has over food is so sad. BIL is your stereotypical vegan that tries to convert you at every chance he gets, so naturally i eat 2398 servings of meat in front of him. my nephew on more than one occasion has told me he likes meat but not to tell his parents, questions everything on people's plates asking if he can eat it. he survives on pasta and tomato sauce at this point. bc hey guess what, toddlers are picky. whatever you chose is fine, but please please please do not put the pressure on a child about what they eat and how it is different from everyone else. there is going to come a day when that kid makes their own decision, and it will probably be sooner than you think. i hope you let them make that choice for themselves.

meme for BIL:
 

VLillyV

YOU DON"T NEED MEAT TO SURVIVE! I can't stress this enough!

Did you know, that red meat is a known carcinogen and can cause cancer? Or that humans have evolved past a point of needing any meats to survive? yep! It's actually harming us.

Meat is also extremely tough for our digestive systems, in fact, not enough of us are even getting the recommended amount of greens in our diets! People, think FIBER.

Plus, the meat industry is killing our planet, particularly the cattle industry. They let these cows eat and eat all day long and while they eat, they also release dangerous methane gas into the ecosystem which is creating a hole in the ozone.

So yes. I will be raising my child Vegetarian. They will get everything they need from a RICH plant based diet and not contribute to the demise of our planet.

natleilynn

mrs_fogue said:

natleilynn said:

I love all the foods.

Also, I'm southern. Chicken 'n dumplins, pulled pork and grilling burgers is more than a past time. It's a lifestyle.

You don't have to be so healthy!  I'm thinking more like Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, anything smothered in gravy.  You know we like a little meat and veggies with our grease around here.

I use crisco with my chicken and dumplins, does that help? Oh, and entirely too much sugar in my sweet tea. Paula Dean would be proud.

jessafishy

I also want to add that the only real "meat" DS will eat currently is chicken nuggets and corn dogs. He gets most of his protein through peanut butter and dairy. 

I think a lot of young kids don't really eat much meat anyway.

jessafishy

VLillyV said:

YOU DON"T NEED MEAT TO SURVIVE! I can't stress this enough!

Did you know, that red meat is a known carcinogen and can cause cancer? Or that humans have evolved past a point of needing any meats to survive? yep! It's actually harming us.

Meat is also extremely tough for our digestive systems, in fact, not enough of us are even getting the recommended amount of greens in our diets! People, think FIBER.

Plus, the meat industry is killing our planet, particularly the cattle industry. They let these cows eat and eat all day long and while they eat, they also release dangerous methane gas into the ecosystem which is creating a hole in the ozone.

So yes. I will be raising my child Vegetarian. They will get everything they need from a RICH plant based diet and not contribute to the demise of our planet.

VLillyV

@jessafishy

You're right! Kids KNOW that meat is MURDER!

jessafishy

VLillyV said:

@jessafishy

You're right! Kids KNOW that meat is MURDER!

I think it's more of a texture thing but...

carries2018

fffc: when BIL is over i dont let DDs get down from the table until they finish their meat. they can leave a heaping pile of veggies on their plate for all i care. he shall rue the day(s) he tried to convert me!

VLillyV

@jessafishy That's what you think. They have evolved past your unrefined and unevolved taste buds and no longer desire meat.

carries2018

lololzzz coincidentally my bff just sent me this

riverrainez

SS. I love meat. My husband is vegetarian. We eat mostly vegetarian at home because I'm lazy and only want to make one meal, but DS eats meat whenever I feel ambitious enough to provide it or when we go out to eat.

mrs_fogue

VLillyV said:

YOU DON"T NEED MEAT TO SURVIVE! I can't stress this enough!

Did you know, that red meat is a known carcinogen and can cause cancer? Or that humans have evolved past a point of needing any meats to survive? yep! It's actually harming us.

Meat is also extremely tough for our digestive systems, in fact, not enough of us are even getting the recommended amount of greens in our diets! People, think FIBER.

Plus, the meat industry is killing our planet, particularly the cattle industry. They let these cows eat and eat all day long and while they eat, they also release dangerous methane gas into the ecosystem which is creating a hole in the ozone.

So yes. I will be raising my child Vegetarian. They will get everything they need from a RICH plant based diet and not contribute to the demise of our planet.

aprilsarahjune

Background:  DH and I were raised on meat and potato diets with few veggies, and we also ate a lot of heavily processed foods.  Every meal would include grains and meat and potatoes.  When we were given veggies, they were cooked unskillfully and were flavorless.  

We are omnivores in our household, and we focus more on balance than on "forbidden foods".  We cook food that is as close to its natural state as possible, and we also flavor our food with herbs and spices and experiment with different cooking techniques. More than half of a meal is veggies; snacks almost always include fruits.  Don't worry - the grains, meats, etc. find their way into our kids' diets even if they aren't on our dinner table.

virginiaham

VLillyV said:

@jessafishy That's what you think. They have evolved past your unrefined and unevolved taste buds and no longer desire meat.

Go'and brush yo shoulders off.

VLillyV

@carries2018 I don't think that's funny at all and find your picture in bad taste. This is a serious discussion and is worthy of serious responses.

I want to go ahead and add in that there are several factors of the meat industry that I can not get past.

Here are some facts:

Among mammals 41,700,000 cows and calves werekilled for food in 2000, as well as 115,200,000 pigs and 4,300,000 sheep, for a total of 161,200,000. These stats are also expected to continue to rise. Thus, the total number of all animals killed for food in 2000 was 9.7 billion.

Also, the Mad Cow disease is easily spread by eating meat from an infected bovine. When a cow is slaughtered, parts of it are used for human food and other parts are used in animal feed. If an infected cow is slaughtered and its nerve tissue is used incattle feed, other cows can become infected. People can get vCJD if they eat the brain or spinal cord tissue of infected cattle.

and don't get me started on Veal and the Dairy industry!

Calves are slaughtered when only a few weeks old (at most 1 month old) weighing up to 60 lb. Formula-fed ("white" or "milk-fed") veal. Calves are raised on a milk formula supplement. The meat colour is ivory or creamy pink, with a firm, fine, and velvety appearance.  The veal industry was created as a means to take advantage of the unwanted male calves produced by the diary industry. Most calves used to produce veal live only 18 to 20 weeks and perhaps this short life expectancy is the reason that so few precautions are taken to prevent their suffering. Approximately one million veal calves are born and slaughtered each year and in factory farms, these young creatures are exposed to psychological trauma, poor nutrition, and complete confinement for the duration of their short lives.

ChocolateIsLife

carries2018

@VLillyV tl;dr

yasandson

GIVE. ME. ALL. THE. MEATS. (who cares if we all end up having living worms in our colons lol) 

VLillyV

Edited because people have feelings too. You are all murderers and are horrible. How could you be comfortable with yourselves?

If all you guys can come up with are Gifs, then I am proud knowing that I am busting out facts. Enlighten yourselves.

Also, meat treated with antibiotics are killing our children. Bacteria is becoming resistent to antibiotic treatment and those eating meat will be gravely affected.

All you "Pro-Vaccine" mommies better note that one. Your putting your children in danger.

Sparklelily

I would be so bad about making sure my kids ate meat if I didn't. I'm not a big fruit eater and lately I've been feeling guilty that my DS only seems to like the same few fruits I like. Meat though, that boy can down chicken sausage and ham all day long.

ForwardnBackward

carries2018 said:

my sister/BIL (primarily BIL, my sis dgaf she just goes along with it) are vegan and are raising their son vegan. now whilst if it is a value that is important to you, i understand the notion for feeding your kids what you eat. HOWEVER, kids are freaking kids, and there are lines you can easily cross. the amount of anxiety my 4yo nephew has over food is so sad. BIL is your stereotypical vegan that tries to convert you at every chance he gets, so naturally i eat 2398 servings of meat in front of him. my nephew on more than one occasion has told me he likes meat but not to tell his parents, questions everything on people's plates asking if he can eat it. he survives on pasta and tomato sauce at this point. bc hey guess what, toddlers are picky. whatever you chose is fine, but please please please do not put the pressure on a child about what they eat and how it is different from everyone else. there is going to come a day when that kid makes their own decision, and it will probably be sooner than you think. i hope you let them make that choice for themselves.

meme for BIL:
 

This reminds me of this:

carries2018

here @VLillyV direct quote from BILs FB page, he can help your campaign

It's so hard being in line at the supermarket and seeing all the meat, dairy and egg products people put in their carts. The worst experience, however, is when their are kids involved. Please people, research Veganism. It's an absolute no-brainer on every level and it's the only dietary choice that's actually in keeping with your values. Killing for choice when there is no need is unethical. PERIOD!

VLillyV

@carries2018 Thank you. I appreciate you're help. You're on the right path now I knew the facts would compel you.

jessafishy

I mean, personally, death is a fact of life. I'm grateful all the time that there are hunting seasons for deer. Those things are more dangerous to our fellow humans than cow farts.

virginiaham

VLillyV said:

You are all murderers and are horrible. How could you be comfortable with yourselves?

If all you guys can come up with are Gifs, then I am proud knowing that I am busting out facts. Enlighten yourselves.

Also, meat treated with antibiotics are killing our children. Bacteria is becoming resistent to antibiotic treatment and those eating meat will be gravely affected.

All you "Pro-Vaccine" mommies better note that one. Your putting your children in danger.

Well since my Jay-Z GIFs aren't working, I'll YT link some more.

But what if we **are** concerned that the animals we consume had a good life?

https://youtu.be/ErRHJlE4PGI

Sparklelily

@virginiaham I love that your name is virginiaham. Well planned.

tyannej

GIVE ME ALL THE MEATS! I mean don't get me
wrong I love a good salad, but it's gotta have meat in it. 

shan24

I'm gonna special snowflake this one. Before DS was born, SO and I were eating a mostly vegetarian diet. We'd eat meat once or twice a week. Then, after DS, we find of fell off that wagon. I'd like to get back to it, but I need this baby to stop rejecting veggies first. And, to be honest, I don't think DS would care. The only meat he eats consistently is ham, so obviously not a big meat eater as it is!

KSweet

I think the paleo way of eating is the best and it's what I strive for....but life happens and we definitely make trips through the drive thru or use packaged foods. Most of my kids are good eaters and like a wide variety of foods. 

KSweet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0O_VYcsIk8&t=24s

migdala

This poll gave me an identity crisis.  I've never been a vegetarian but this pregnancy has made me LOATHE meat.  Will that end when I give birth???  Or am I doomed to vegetarianism forever?????

mrs_fogue

jessafishy said:

I mean, personally, death is a fact of life. I'm grateful all the time that there are hunting seasons for deer. Those things are more dangerous to our fellow humans than cow farts.

I'm thankful for hunting seasons too!  Yummy deer steak, turkey nuggets, I could go on.  But I'm making myself hungry.  And actually that's probably all better for me than the chemically sprayed vegetables you get at the grocery!