help... veggie daughter dislikes vegetables...

skintmumof3

any ideas on what i can give my dd 12yrs who has decided to become a veggie but she hates vegetable..aarrgghh
i can`t just feed her pasta forever...lol
just need some ideas, as whether this is just a passing phase or not i want to respect her decision.
thanks
skint
xx

Lilycharlotte

There are quite a lot of things that your daughter can have without 'knowingly' eating vegetables.

She could have a quorn bolognaise if you have the meat version, with grated carrot in and other veg she might not notice.

Quorn sausages are yummy IMO. My mom's a vegetarian and I always used to have quorn burgers and sausages when she did.

The quorn "chicken" fillets are quite nice too.

I'm sure a lot of meat dishes can be made with just a vegetarian substitue.

I'm sure other people will beable to help you out more

I once decided to be a vegetarian, at about 12, but ended up having chicken nuggets for dinner! :rotfl:

xXx

Psykicpup

Beans & pulses are good - so even beans on toast will make a change at least...
is she cutting out all meats including fish ?

edit - I found this site that you both might like to share http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/vegaveg/

Primrose

Mixtures of lentils and grated veggies (carrots, swede, parsnip) cook into delicious soups.
Have you tried roasted butternut squash? If your daughter likes roast potatoes she will almost certainly like this.

gypsyroseloz

I've been a veggie since I was 16 (now a lot older!!!).
I use Tescos/Morrisons own brand or the realeat brand of Vegi mince as a substitute.....making bolognaise/chilli/lasagne/cottage pie. DH says he actually prefers that to normal mince! My DS (almost 3 is no good at eating veg!! He would live on pasta)
Can definately agree that some of the Quorn products are yummy!

HTH a bit! x

Primrose

If you can get hold of Rose Elliot's Bean book, or "Not Just a load of old lentils" you'll probably find lots of useful recipes.

hmkn

Hi,

I'm a veggie who gave up meat aged 16. I think I'd have a chat with your daughter. At 12 she's old enough to understand that you can't live on pasta- or if she doesn't, this is her big chance!

Why does she want to give up meat? Mine was an animal welfare issue, and TBH if I was 16 now, I would probably say I'd eat free range meat, but not factory farmed, but have a chat about her reasons- you're obviously respecting her decision, but make sure she's absolutely clear you're on her side.

Veggie charities like Animal Aid and the Vegetarian society will give nutritional advice. I have a wall chart from Animal Aid (I'm not keen on their slightly militant side, but they do have good veggie/vegan advice/literature) that lists essential nutrients and what non-meat food you find them in. I use it even for my (carnivorous) children as veggie meals can be cheaper than meat. The Vegetarian Society used to do a free childrens/teenagers pack- they may still do it.

Discuss with her how she's going to get all the nutrients she needs- iron and calcium are the 2 biggies for a pre teen girl, but B12 etc is important too. If she is part of the decision she may feel she has more control. Other good tips are things like eating fortified breakfast cereal or any other iron-rich meal with fruit juice or fresh fruit (the Vit C boosts the absorption of iron). Avoid drinking tea and coffee at the same time as the tannin decreases iron absorption.

There are the products that mimic meat, but even if she likes them they are processed, expensive and often high in salt. Good for a freezer back up but not every day IMO.

Look at some veggie cookbooks to discuss what she might like. She could help cook, as it will mean more work for you! I like Rose Elliots books, but have a look in the library.

Basically, she's going to have to make some compromises to maintain a healthy diet, and for all I think her choice should be respected, you are her mum, she is only 12 and if she can't agree to eat more veg, I think you would be completey within your rights to say she can't until she widens her diet! (My brother asked my mum if he could become veggie a year after me. She said yes, but you have to eat more than peas and potatoes.... He did, became veggie, then vegan, and now eats anything)

HTH a bit, and good luck!

HMK

horseinhatman

To the people who eat quorn , is it true its a thing thats grown on chicken embryos ?

Bogof_Babe

Whatever it is (Quorn) it makes me violently sick, as with a lot of other people, so be aware that it is not for everyone.

I'd get your daughter Linda McCartney sausages, pies etc., or most supermarkets do own brand veggie burgers, also Dalepak make yummy cauliflower cheese grills and veggie quarter pounders, also packets of Beanfeast flavoured soya are very versatile. There is no reason she needs go hungry, but I would work on finding some type of veg that she will eat, or make up for it with lots of fruit, including dried apricots etc.

abaxas

horseinhatman wrote: »

To the people who eat quorn , is it true its a thing thats grown on chicken embryos ?

No,

However I do beleive that quorn pieces are crafted from satan's bum scratchings. Those things are foul.

LameWolf

Is it all vegetables, or just certain ones that she doesn't like? I ask because I'm veggie, but I can't abide things from the brassica family, or indeed beetroot, however I love most other root veggies - carrots, parsnips, etc.

Maybe it's a case of finding out which ones she can cope with, and how she prefers them prepared - I hated carrots when my mother served them up, until I found out that they didn't have to be cooked to the point of being pale orange mush. (Not saying you cook them like that, I hasten to add!)