Child Health: If your child wanted to be a vegeterian would you let her

If your child wanted to be a vegeterian would you let her?
Two of my daughters have decided they want to be vegetarian. Would you let your children if they wanted to? Are there any health risks to growing children who are vegetarians? I explained to them that they need to eat beans, peanut butter and cheese to get their protein. If you were not a vegetarian would you let your children be? I was in the past so I know how they would need to eat, but I am wondering if that is healthy for children. Do they need to take a multivitamin daily? They are 11 and 14
Vegetarian & Vegan - 16 Answers

Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
yea, why not. If you force them to eat meat, that's kinda mean. But if you don't provide them proper nutrition, that's also mean, but it sounds like yuou've got that covered.
2 :
I am not a vegetarian but if I had kids and was older and they wanted to be one I would let them because they would be healthy, sure they would miss out on most foods but if they want to be one you really should let them.
3 :
Maybe it would help if you actually included your Daughter's ages so we could tell if they are at health risk. Personally, if they're that young, just deal with it. I wouldn't let my child be a serious Vegetatian unless they were at least 14. But your children are probably just going through a phase and will grow out of it as soon as they realize how much they miss their meat.
4 :
Yes, but I would make her get a job and buy the food for herself. I will not pay that much more money to get a hotdog that's made out of soy, I'll just eat a hotdog. And yes there are health risks. You would need to purchase artificial protein for them, which is also really expensive, but their body could still take negatively to the switch. And the multivitamin won't do anything, just don't let them be vegetarian, terrible idea.
5 :
The milk and dairy marketing board has done a great job but there is a lot of evidence that neither are as good for you as everybody seems to think
6 :
yeah, i would, i have a cousin whos a vegeterian. i think shes been one since she was like 13. :)
7 :
I think children need to be fully informed as to exactly what being a vegetarian. Did your child say 'I want to be a vegetarian' or did she say 'I don't like this I don't like that it looks like my only alternative is to become a vegetarian? Does she want to give up beef? (not a bad idea actually). Does she want to eat nuts? They are packed with both protein and carbohydrate. I eat sultanas as a snack and they are delicious. I also eat chocolate as a snack. You see, I'm old enough to be most people's grandfather and I have evolved my own tastes - it's the kind of thing you do as you get older, but to seriously change a lifestyle when you're young is dangerous unless you are fully informed.
8 :
I personally would. But you must ensure proper nutrition: take them to a nutritionist. Mostly all nutrition from meat can be got from a vegetarian diet. They just have to be smart vegetarians: they should decrease the junk food they are consuming, and no sodas! ( well, they could have it, in moderation, that would be fine, but limit it ). Make sure they have plenty of vegetables. btw, how old are your daughters? They can get all the protein/iron they need without supplements with smart choices. Here are some sources.. Good sources Chick peas Baked beans Tofu Cow's milk Lentils Soya milk Muesli Egg, boiled Peanuts Bread Hard cheese Poor sources carrot apple cream butter vegetable oil cream/butter Required intakes of protein (g) grams Women11to 14 yrs 41.2g Women15to 18 yrs 45.4g that is how many grams of protein they will need Good luck! :)
9 :
You should let them be vegetarians. I'm a vegetarian and it's perfectly healthy. If you want them to get protein the you should tell them to eat this Greek yogurt called Chobani. It is really good and has a ton of protein. Hope this helps!
10 :
I would let them. They are old enough to make their own choices and I believe to give kids the power to dcide for themselves. My sister started at 12 or 13 and it was fine. She is healthy. I would tell them that they have to stick to it and keep up with their vegie- diets.
11 :
Well seeing as how I am a vegan, I would definitely let them become vegetarian. It's been proven countless times that a vegetarian diet is much healthier than a diet that involves meat at any age (and a vegan diet is even healthier). No, they do not need to take multivitamins. Supplements can cause health problems in the long run. They just have to eat foods that supply the nutrients they need.
12 :
You can't let or not let them, it's not your choice.
13 :
Vegetarian diets can provide all the nutrients children need, as long as you do a little research first. Vegetarianism is what you make it. I went vegetarian in 1999 and I'm now in my early 20s without any health problems. My BMI is 20.8, which is within the healthy range (18.5 - 24). Anyway, enough about me! Key nutrients to focus on are protein, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. For protein, make sure your child is consuming good sources such as wheat, soybeans, beans and nuts. Sources of vegetarian calcium include yogurt, calcium fortified soymilk, orange juice, almonds and leafy green vegetables. Add more iron to your child's diet by increasing servings of beans and peas, chickpeas, pinto beans, tofu, and iron-fortified cereals. Enhance your children's zinc intake by increasing their servings of almonds, peanut butter, and mushrooms. Vitamin B12 is found in dairy, eggs and fortified drinks, fortified cereals and nutritional yeast. Of course, occasional treats like chocolate won't do any harm. As long as your children are eating a balanced, varied diet they should be fine. Supplements can be harmful in the wrong dosage so speak to a GP about these.
14 :
I think you should, it shows that they are mature in their thinking to make a big life decision. I was 6 when I decided to become vegetarian, something about the fact that they personify animals in childrens books....television shows.....farm yards........and yet it is ok for them to end up dead and on your plate....and then you put it in your mouth? Where is the logic in that?! Even as a young child I could not comprehend it, nor can I today. I accept that other people are all for eating animals, and I am not about to convert everyone to my way of thinking but I would like to think that I live my life respecting all animals and not contribute to the suffering of other life by purchasing such things. Including leather goods. I am healthy, not obese, not setting myself up for a heart attack in old age etc. Yes everyone should take a multivitamin
15 :
My children would have to be vegan. I know its healthy and I wouldn't allow them to eat dead animal flesh full of worms and guts and fat. Dairy is just as nasty and so are eggs.
16 :
Of course I would! I went vegetarian at 12, and my parents tought it was just a phase. They continued to cook meat for dinner every night and it made it pretty tough for me to learn how to makeeverythingg myself. As long as they're eating vegetables and other healthy foods, they'll be fine. There really is not need for adailyl vitamin unless they plan on eating cupcakes and potato chips all day.

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

If your child wanted to be a vegeterian would you let her