My 6yr old Daughter wants to be a veggie

Lillys_mum

I really don't have a problem with this I just don't know what I should feed her!!!

Anyone else in the same boat or any experienced veggies who can give me some advice would be great.

She has decided that eating animals is cruel and she is getting really upset about it, so I thought it would be best to allow her to choose to eat what she would prefer but I just need to know how to ensure she gets all the vitamins and minerals which she needs.

Many thanks for any advice/info you can offer

vixarooni

Lots of fish, quorn, nuts.

It may be a phase, but shes obviously well tuned in for 6 years old.

Or you could say to her about where food comes from, explain that animals kill other animals in africa to live and that it is the same with humans. (eating animals, not each other) if she still wants to be a veggie try it for awhile to see how she likes it. Google vegetarian recipies or vegetarians, probbably alot of info on it in the web

Little_Chicken

Hey - you're in luck someone just posted on here - a link for free veggie info, but I'm not sure how to point you in the right direction. My advice is stay away from any weird things like quorn - they're made from chemically modified stuff...I love things with chick peas and lots of different beans in such as chilli and curry. There's tons of info online, but you are right to be wary as a diet of chips and linda mccartney sausages is a recipe for disaster. I'm talking from experience. That's all I ate when I was a student and I became very anaemic...:0(

Little_Chicken

http://www.viva.org.uk/ here's a link for the free 'pack'.

Gingham_Ribbon

Fish isn't vegetarian but she may only be ready to do it half heartedly.

I am bringing my 2 boys up veggie (for now) and have been vegetarian for 20 years. I'd recommend having a look at Rose Elliot's books. The main thing that will be different is how she gets her protein which is easy to sort out if she eats pulses (lentils, beans, chickpeas etc) and grains (pasta, rice, bread) as they form complete proteins together. Dairy produce isn't a problem except that you need to check that cheese is veggie as animal rennet is made from the stomachs of suckling calves.

For some ideas, have a look at this post. There are a lot of links in it that should be helpful.

Lillys_mum

Some great tips there, thanks.

The fish issue, some eat it and some don't am I right there?

I know she loves salmon so not sure how far a 6 yr olds principles go!!!

LM

xx

sleepymy

If someone eats fish they're not vegetarian.

This might help you http://www.vegsoc.org/info/childre2.html

leoetal19

my daughter decided the same aged 9 and here we are 10 years later and shes till veggie lock stock and all smoking barrels-shes withsttod all sorts of peer pressure and teasing over the years and pressure form ex-hubbies family-you'll be anaemic, wont grow etc
shes a stunning 5 foot 8 inch naturally slim size 10 and fit as they come
she hasne eaten meat or fish since she gave up 10 yeras ago
she loves fresh fruit and home made veggie stews and soup, traditional sunday roasts with uorn sausage, lots of pasta with chunky veg, stir fries, peppers stuffed with cous cous, noodles, homemade pizza, jackets and cheese and beans, veggie chillis and curries-endless list tbh!!
sometimes at school shed have 5 pieces of fruit for her lunch and oh the criticism from the other parents to whom i had to point out that it was sooo much better than thier choccie biccie, crisp and ham snrnie laden offerings
let her find her own way-they're wonderful little things. my niece goes in and out of being a veggie-si just feeds her according to the phase-good luck to you and lily x

moo2moo

Talk to her. You may find that rather than being veggie she doesn't want to eat lamb or beef but is happy to eat pork (or some other combination). Take her somewhere to see happy sheep or happy hens. If all else fails feed her fish, eggs, cheese, nuts. Avoid quorn like the plague. Tofu is an alternative but an aquired taste.

My eldest is "veggie", just like her other 8 year old friends. She won't eat lamb (poor fluffy babies) but doesn't think twice about plucking the feathers from one of the free-ranging hens we keep for meat.

Zazen999

Little_Chicken wrote: »

My advice is stay away from any weird things like quorn - they're made from chemically modified stuff...:0(

Er- like what exactly....???

And fish is definitely not for vegetarians; [news just out - fish aren't of vegetable origin]

Emmylou_2

OP - I see from your sig that you're doing Slimming World - well, the green days are veggie oriented (adding the meat/fish as healthy bs) so just try out those recipes.

A friend of mine bought the 100 free green recipe book (£2.95) for her veggie daughter who was going off to uni, there's lots of nice recipes in there - and the magazine of course.