Jennifer
03-12-2003, 01:53 PM
Hello,
My name is Jennifer. I just ran across this website this morning. Boy am I glad I did. I have two children (my son just turned 3 and my daugher just turned 1). They are both very happy, healthy children. My son has been vegan for his entire life. My husband and I, having been raised as meat eaters, are on the road to becoming vegan, but it is taking some time. My daughter has also been vegan to date (this is the easy part since she is still breastfeeding and I just add some vegetables, fortified cereal, fruit, etc...). Anyway...I took both kids for their annual check-ups yesterday. My son was in the 90th percentile for his height and weight. My daughter was in the 90th percentile for her height but only in the 75th to 90th percentile for her weight. Their doctor asked about the kids' diets. I had always kind of avoided talking to her about their diets because she is not very friendly (our insurance is very limiting as far as doctors, and as long as she looks after their medical needs, I can put up with her). She brought up the subject of meat and dairy for my daughter. I told her that I don't feed my children those things. She then appeared to get a little upset with me and ordered blood tests to check both children for anemia (results pending). The bottom line here is that she told me I should really start feeding the kids more protein, including eggs and she really didn't lend any support to a vegan lifestyle. I feel that I have sufficiently (though maybe not as thoroughly as some) researched this type of diet and I feel that I am feeding my children properly. However, now I worry that I am not feeding them the things they might truly need. In addition to the foods I've just mentioned, I also feed my children flax meal, wheat germ and ground nuts (all mixed with their food), calcium fortified soy yogurt, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, avocado (and things like Veggie Booty, sulphur free dried fruit and spelt sesame sticks as snacks). I try my best to feed them the least refined foods possible and try to avoid prepared foods (aside from their ocassional snacks). Does anyone have suggestions for other high protein, higher fat foods that my kids might like and that are not refined or prepared (basically a "raw" food)? Any help would be appreciated. But...even if no one responds, I feel much better being able to vent. My husband is fairly supportive but still thinks I'm being mean from time to time. I just want to help my kids avoid some of today's common problems like diabetes, obesity, etc... Thank you, Jennifer
My name is Jennifer. I just ran across this website this morning. Boy am I glad I did. I have two children (my son just turned 3 and my daugher just turned 1). They are both very happy, healthy children. My son has been vegan for his entire life. My husband and I, having been raised as meat eaters, are on the road to becoming vegan, but it is taking some time. My daughter has also been vegan to date (this is the easy part since she is still breastfeeding and I just add some vegetables, fortified cereal, fruit, etc...). Anyway...I took both kids for their annual check-ups yesterday. My son was in the 90th percentile for his height and weight. My daughter was in the 90th percentile for her height but only in the 75th to 90th percentile for her weight. Their doctor asked about the kids' diets. I had always kind of avoided talking to her about their diets because she is not very friendly (our insurance is very limiting as far as doctors, and as long as she looks after their medical needs, I can put up with her). She brought up the subject of meat and dairy for my daughter. I told her that I don't feed my children those things. She then appeared to get a little upset with me and ordered blood tests to check both children for anemia (results pending). The bottom line here is that she told me I should really start feeding the kids more protein, including eggs and she really didn't lend any support to a vegan lifestyle. I feel that I have sufficiently (though maybe not as thoroughly as some) researched this type of diet and I feel that I am feeding my children properly. However, now I worry that I am not feeding them the things they might truly need. In addition to the foods I've just mentioned, I also feed my children flax meal, wheat germ and ground nuts (all mixed with their food), calcium fortified soy yogurt, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, avocado (and things like Veggie Booty, sulphur free dried fruit and spelt sesame sticks as snacks). I try my best to feed them the least refined foods possible and try to avoid prepared foods (aside from their ocassional snacks). Does anyone have suggestions for other high protein, higher fat foods that my kids might like and that are not refined or prepared (basically a "raw" food)? Any help would be appreciated. But...even if no one responds, I feel much better being able to vent. My husband is fairly supportive but still thinks I'm being mean from time to time. I just want to help my kids avoid some of today's common problems like diabetes, obesity, etc... Thank you, Jennifer