NWR: any vegans out there?

My sister has recently decided to seriously reduce animal proteins for herself and her children. They are 2 and 4... I don't think they're eating healthy. Not because of no animal proteins, but because I don't think they're eating a balanced diet... (meaning, simply cutting animal proteins and not replacing them is not the right way to do this)

Any suggestions for how to eat right while basically being vegan?

It's a constant struggle with her when it comes to food, and my mom and I babysit once a week each all day and have no idea what we're allowed to give the kids for lunch.......

TIA

I've gone on vegan kicks before. I'm a strict vegetarian and occasionally go full-on vegan.

Your sister MUST take her children to their pediatrician and get advice about this. Generally speaking, even in the animal rights community (which I'm very active in), even hardcore activists frown on veganism among young kids. They just have too much going on with their growth.
Vegetarianism in children is becoming more and more popular.

Kids can be vegan, but it takes a lot of work. The best thing for your sister to do is get medical advice. Although they will probably try to talk her out of it.

I can't give any advice on eating right for vegan children, only adults.

thank you so much for your input... i knew and was hoping that you would be one of the ppl who answered this!!!

I'm not only worried about my sister's kids, but also about her... one night, she decided that the dinner I made for them (upon her request) wasn't good enough for her so she had gluten free crackers, half a bag of sweet potato chips, and some hummus.....

she's a nurse practitioner and reads too much... She disagrees with america's healthcare and eating habits and I think it's almost like a political statement for her...

she just read a book called 'the china study' (i think that was the name) and it was all about how the chinese have the lowest rates of cancer and that most cancers are from animal proteins... She also recently went gluten free (even though she calls it being 'wheat reduced' which I think is just her way out in case she flakes and doesn't want to hear it from us)

She has always gone on a whim and decides to be vegetarian for a month or two at a time... She keeps changing her eating habits, her disciplining habits (with her kids) and everything based on things she's reading.

I have no complaints with vegan or vegetarian at all, but I just don't think she's doing it right. She says that vegetables like kale and asparagus have more protein than some animal proteins, BUT I looked it up and while they are high in protein, they are still like 1/5th the amount of protein of animals. any advice on that? (even just for her. I can sneak her kids the right stuff if I know what they are.... my sister is very stubborn and won't take advice unless i have backup info....) any advice on where to look for my own knowledge???

thanks!!!

Hmm. She definitely sounds like she has a political agenda and uses her diet to showcase that. I can fully relate to that! While I don't think there's anything wrong with that for your sister, her kids' health should also be high on her priority list.

There's also something that medical professionals are currently studying called Orthorexia Nervousa. It's an eating disorder that is about fixations with pure and healthy eating, to the point where it becomes an obsession. I'm not passing judgment on your sister at all, but I do think that as her sister, you might want to google the term and read up on it, just in case it applies to her and her lifestyle.

As for the kiddos, here are some links that you can check out:
VegFamily magazine

Raising Vegan Children

and a couple of books:

Raising Vegan Children in a Non-Vegan World

Vegan Lunch Box!

Thank you SOOOOOOO much!!! I actually just spoke with her and told her that I did some research and she totally freaked out on me.... She is going to get me some of HER research for me to look at!!!

I'm so excited about looking at what you sent. I have no idea which studies are valid or not, you know???

I would definitely agree that maybe she could have this disorder, even if just minimally (even before reading about it!!!)

Thanks so much!!!

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Posted by MongieToBe

My sister has been a Vegan for about 11 years now...she started when she was like 15...& she's neeeever cheated. I can ask her if you'd like. I know she eats lots of beans, veggies, soy, and prepared Vegan foods.

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That would be great, but don't go crazy.... Thank you!!!

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Posted by joctorre

Thank you SOOOOOOO much!!! I actually just spoke with her and told her that I did some research and she totally freaked out on me.... She is going to get me some of HER research for me to look at!!!

I'm so excited about looking at what you sent. I have no idea which studies are valid or not, you know???

I would definitely agree that maybe she could have this disorder, even if just minimally (even before reading about it!!!)

Thanks so much!!!

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No problem. Studies will always contradict each other; the important thing is learning how much of each nutrient children need at each age, and how to go about getting it.

Keep an open mind with what she shows you. The Vegan Lunch Box book will give you a lot of kid-friendly recipes. You'll probably find some things in there that you'll like, too

Veganism at age 2 is not a good idea. The developing brain needs higher cholesterol levels than adults. As a result, most pediatricians recommend whole milk and ice cream until the age of 3. This is what I was always taught in my child development classes.
Btw, I'm vegetarian but I intend to serve organic milk and cheese products to my kids ( when I have them).

Thanks. I will definitely check it out....

I actually do enjoy some of the vegan stuff, I just disagree with the way she is feeding her kids.... I just sent her some questions.

She refuses to say that she is 'vegan' or 'gluten free' everything is just 'reduced...' idk why... I think it's just her way out...

I think I will have her read the vegan lunch box as well!!

thanks again!!!!

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Posted by bride2be1012

Veganism at age 2 is not a good idea. The developing brain needs higher cholesterol levels than adults. As a result, most pediatricians recommend whole milk and ice cream until the age of 3. This is what I was always taught in my child development classes.
Btw, I'm vegetarian but I intend to serve organic milk and cheese products to my kids ( when I have them).

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oh, good point. her kids drink water only and use rice milk or almond dream or breeze or whatever it is called...

as a health professional, even a more typically holistic one, you would think she would know a little more about this... I don't get it!!! my mother and I are constantly over this!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!

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Posted by joctorre

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Posted by bride2be1012

Veganism at age 2 is not a good idea. The developing brain needs higher cholesterol levels than adults. As a result, most pediatricians recommend whole milk and ice cream until the age of 3. This is what I was always taught in my child development classes.
Btw, I'm vegetarian but I intend to serve organic milk and cheese products to my kids ( when I have them).

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oh, good point. her kids drink water only and use rice milk or almond dream or breeze or whatever it is called...

as a health professional, even a more typically holistic one, you would think she would know a little more about this... I don't get it!!! my mother and I are constantly over this!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!

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Yes, that could definitely be bad for their health. She should run it by the pediatrician asap. I'm all for a healthy diet, but it sounds like she might be going overboard. Good luck and let us know how it works out.