My 9 year old wants to be a vegetarian

I just wanted to add that if she doesn't like something the first time she tries it, don't give up. Studies have shown that a child may have to be presented with a food item up to a dozen times before developing a taste for it.

I wasn't raised veg, but I was lucky enough to have a stay-at-home mom who cooked most of our meals. She made a real effort to prepare healthy, well-balanced meals, and the only rule was that I had to TRY everything she prepared. If I didn't like it, fine, I didn't have to eat it. I didn't like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bulgar wheat, mushrooms and who knows what else the first time I tried any of them. I love all those things today.

I also think it's great that you are supporting her in this. Realistically, this will probably end up being more healthy for your entire family as you learn to create more plant-based dishes, perhaps side dishes that can also be main dishes. I know that before I went veg, I didn't even think about the fact that I was dumping bacon on top of the green beans, that I cooked way to many side dishes in chicken broth, etc.

 

I am a stay at home mom as well...that's funny you should mention that because my rule is the same...the kids have to at least TRY everything. Thank you for your support. She recently has started eating some things she didn't like before...like onions and peas yayyyy

 

what a rocking mom!

have you guys gone to the library? they might have some resources like cooking books.

i'm trying to remember back to the first veggie days. everyone has made such great suggestions!

the one thing i wanted to add, was maybe you could do one veggie night a week for the whole family, and you two can pick a recipe and cook it together.

I like pancakes, and the boca breakfast sausage is good, but i don't buy much boca bc it is expensive and not that great for you.

Have you tried tofu? If you freeze it first then defrost it, it will have a totally different texture. i like to marinate it in a teryaki sauce then add pineapple and serve with rice.

How about sloppy joe's with tvp? i make that every once ina while for a messy treat.

If she has a favorite veggie you could make that into a main dish...stuffed peppers (i stuff with taboli salad) or mmm sweet potatoes and apples baked together with brown sugar.

there's always sandwiches...make a hummus spread then add lettuce and tomatoes.

i make an herbed cream cheese wrap then shred yellow peppers carrots and zuchini in the food processor, then wrap them up.

how about a nice quiche? they are easy to put together.


Soudns liek you have a great kid, with a cool mom. This whole experiment will teach her independence, as wella s put ehr on a path to ehalth for the res tof her life.

goos luck!

I think she might get into beans someday.

 

I know this probably sounds stupid but what is "tvp" I am willing to try it and her too but want to know what it is and where to find it...thanks for all the suggestions!

 

TVP is textured vegetable protein - it's main usage is as a mince substitute as that's how it looks! In the uk it's sold as dried mainly in wholefood shops. If you do come across any, cook with it at the beginning of your meal as it's dried and it can taste a bit cardboardy, so for example, if you're making a bolognese, add it to cooking onions and use lots of flavouring and liquid. Alternatively, cook it up with some stock or tinned tomatoes (as it absorbs liquid & flavour) then add to the final meal.

I know others have said this, but reading this thread has brought warmth to my heart! It's so great that you're making such an effort for your daughter, when I went veggie my mum was really supportive but I've seen so many people on here alone, who get a really hard time from their families about not eating meat. I wonder how long it is before you follow her down the same path.......

 

Not sure if it's been mentioned before, but I've found another great link.
www.vegetarianbaby.com

It's not just for babies, it covers children and teens as well.

TTFN
Sage

 

is he passionate about animals?

 

She is very passionate about animals, but to be perfectly honest her initial reasoning for going veggi was not liking meat very much...she is doing well, but still has eaten a very limited amount of meat. She had a cheeseburger at our 4th of July BBQ. She is still setting goals though and doing well with them. Thank you all so much for your support!

 

Last week while chatting with someone on yahoo messenger, I mentioned that my 20 year old son has been a vegetarian for a few years, and my 15 year old had tried it before. The person I was chatting with said that was to young to be a vegetarian. I never knew that there was an age limit on becoming aware of what you eat or wanting to be healthy.

I was a vegetarian while I was pregnant with my 9 year old and he was the first child in the family who learned to eat tofu without complaining. Now the older ones will eat tofu depending on how you cook it or should I say hide it, but they will drink soy milk sometimes in their hot chocolate & cereal. But none of us have gotten used to tofu pups (veggie hotdogs) yet.

 

I have yet to find a decent Vegan Hot Dog substitute. For me, it doesn't even have to taste like hot dog, because most of the flavor comes form the stuff you put on top anyway. I would just like to find one that doesn't taste like a$$.

 

Some of the other posters have mentioned peanut butter. You may also want to introduce almond butter for variety.

 

make sure she gets enough b-12! thats how many veg. die. i was a vegan when i was 9-age 12. now i am again at 16. my parents did a good job of making sure i got enough protein and calcium and b-12 and everything else i wasn't getting.

 

I think that's wonderful. I used to be a camp counselor for 5 & 6 year olds. Some of my kids were vegetarian and/or vegan. They would come with all types of lunches including tofu sandwhiches, peanut butter & jelly, veggie dogs..

Some stuff that could easily be made are veggie burgers, un-chicken sandwiches or salad, Morningstar corn dogs are sooo good.., etc..
Good snacks: soy nuts, soy nut butter, etc..

You could be real creative with it. I would check out that link that Sage-Phoenix mentioned..
Also, possibly talk with her pediatrician. He/she could make sure she's getting all the vitamins necessary. If any are lacking in the vegetarian diet, maybe she'll recommend a particular vitamin to compensate.. Protein powder is a good thing to keep in the house too. Just in case you feel she may not be getting enough protein, you can make shakes or fruit smoothies and add a little protein powder in the mix. You can also add it to brownies or cookies.

 

Lol I had some veggie hot dogs the other week and they were sooooo nasty. Had the hot dog aftertaste, but they were just gross. Hot dogs are bad for you anyway ;P

 

Oh one more thing, if your into the veggie meats, I find that veggie chicken is pretty good. The only problem I have with it, is if its cooked right it looks just like chicken and tastes just like it, so i freaked out and couldnt finish my meal ;P. But yeah, thats all i can really recommend.

 

I like most veggie meat substitutes (although I'm allergic to soy, I sometimes eat it anyway), but I agree that veggie hot dogs are absolutely AWFUL. Every one I've ever tried, I couldn't eat more than two bites! Why in the world are they so gross?? How can the burger version of the same brand taste so good but the hot dogs taste so bad? I don't get it.