what about vitamin B12?

I vaguely recall a religious couple a few years back who were bringing up their baby on a vegan diet, it had a B12 deficiency and they were refusing a B12 injection which was needed to save the baby's life.

Hmm, I hope you didn't breastfeed him then since breast milk would by definition be an 'animal' product???

If your kid wants to be a vegan, let them make up their own minds when they are old enough. Imposing your preference on your child is hardly healthy. At least you had the benefit of 16 years of balanced eating to set you on the road to adulthood. What about giving your child that benefit?

And what happens when he gets to kindy or school and isn't allowed all those yummy things that the other kids get because of your choices? When he cant go for a walk to the diary to get an ice cream? Cant eat the birthday cake at a party?

Rough - to place such restrictions on a small child seems cruel to me, and I'm a vegetarian.

I once hosted a party for a 4yr old. Some Vegan children came along (with their prepacked vege sausages) and they were miserable. Instead of the cheerios and sauce, cake, chippies etc that all the other kids got, they had to eat the tasteless, revolting "sausages". And the chocolate had to be taken out of their goodie bags... rough.

People seem to be jumping to a lot of conclusions.

Firstly on the B12 issue - the case you are referring to is often used aginst vegans when actually I believe the couple were against any medical intervention (on religous grounds). B12 is something that vegans need to be aware of but with good management can be addressed. Vegan sources include wholegrains, oats, nuts, legumes, leafy green veges and brewers yeast.

With regards to giving children a choice - I could say the same about eating meat. In fact as my son gets older and learns about where food comes from I do plan to let him make his own informed choices. I dont have an 'age' in mind when this will occur as he is his own person and will get there when ready.

In terms of kids parties etc I never wrote that I would enforce a vegan diet against my childs will and we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Patti, regarding "Imposing your preference on your child is hardly healthy", it seems to me that you are suggesting that there is some default diet 'ticked' as a child's choice at birth. This just isn't true I hope you realise. My own current thinking is that kiwi's tend to get programmed early in life that meat is healthy, and even more strongly that 'not meat' is quite unhealthy. This is far from the truth. People should be encouraged to make their own educated choices, not scorned for being different.

Couple of issues.

1. You were 16 before you made the decision to become a Vegan. Shame you refuse to give you child the same freedom of choice your parents did.

2. Do you know how much of these alternatives the little guy would have to eat to get his RDI of iron and other essential nutrients?

Toddlers and children do not have the same metabolism as an adult. Their nutritional needs are different to yours. I really really hope you consult with a dietitian or other qualified health professional on a regular basis to ensure your kid remains healthy.

This does strike me as the opposite extreme of those who feed their kids excessive amounts of saturated fat, sugar and chemical additives. A middle ground is the only place to get a balance.

Why are people so keen to view veganism or vegetarianism as a negative? I applaud these mothers for raising their children with awareness of the many wonderful foods that are available that don't come from animals. I think a reliance on meat in particular is ingrained in our society, but there is no need to feel threatened by those who choose not to eat it. I think children should know where meat comes from - killing an animal. If you are prepared to hunt or fish, then fine. I have hosted lots of children's parties, and made sausage rolls from soy sausages - none of the non-vegetarian children even notice the difference and they disappear like hotcakes. As do vege pizza, chips etc etc. It's not even necessary to draw attention to the fact that there is no meat - there is still plenty of yummy food to offer. Of course for vegans it is more challenging, but chips and lollies and iceblocks are still possible, and show me a kid who doesn't like them.

The thing that annoys me the most are children who are terrified of trying any new foods or flavours because they are so used to highly processed stuff. As for children who refuse to eat vegetables... why would any good parent let them get away with that?

The comment about breastfeeding is just ridiculous, by the way.

I'd like to support Chandra on this.

I know if I had a child I'd do the same thing. With all the processed food about, most being cheaply made tasteless pap which has been made more appetising with lashings of sugar, salt and/or fat, I'd prefer to know exactly what my kids are eating.

The birthday party/school thing certainly could be difficult, but there are ways around this, and plenty of support from like-minded parents.

Eating or not eating animal products should be a child's decision when they are old enough to do so, but it should also be an informed decision; they need to know where that meat/dairy comes from and at what cost to the environment and their health.

My friend's 10 year old step son is a rabid meat and no veg eater, and firmly believes that it comes from the supermarket. When she tried to explain (nicely) where it really comes from, he didn't want to know and now she has been blamed for assaulting his sensibilites by the rest of the family.

The thing is, it's OK to give your kids meat. I'ts not OK to harshly judge those who chose not to, especially if they have researched nutrition and are doing the best they can for their precious offspring.

Go Chandra!

p.s. Vegetarian sausages are tasty and yummy, have you actually tried one, "it's cruel"???

And Sarah, rubbishing breast milk an 'animal product' is a cheap shot, you know what Chandra means.

I have to laugh at the people who belittle Chandra for not letting her child make his own decision. um... he's not even one. If he was left to eat what he liked, it would probably be dirt, dirt and more dirt!! YUM!