4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Paddy]

I have two young children 5 and 7.

From a baby my 7 year old girl does not like the taste of meat (probably the texture) and I have never known her to eat a piece of meat or burger etc

She will eat chillis/meat balls/spaghetti bolognaises etc.

We went to a party last weekend where there was a pig roast and she was absolutely horrified and would not touch any of it. A friend of mine who was is a confirmed carnivore started to tell her about eating animals for food. I stopped her, even though I totally agree with her sentiments that children need to know where food comes from purely that my 7 year old will put two and two together and stop eating meat altogether.

However there is a part of me that says that she doesn't eat it anyway I can simply substitute Quorn into the dishes that she likes, that i prepare with meat.

Is 7 years old too young to make a choice to become a vegetarian? Help please!

PS I have no problems at all with my 5 yr old boy

[Space Chick]

My sister was not much older than your daughter when she decided to become a vegetarian. I thought it would never last.

 

However, she is now 31 and is still a veggie. Even her husband became a veggie when he met her.

 

I think some children know their own mind early on

[Plum]

It may be she has a reason she can't metabolise meat and rejects it instinctively. My neice has problems with protein and became very ill when she was young. She had always rejected meat. Just a thought, perhaps they know best.

[theherd123]

This is a really hard question and there probably isnt a right or wrong answer but what you feel is the best thing to do for your child and your family as a whole.

 

Im a vegetarian and became one when i was 16 - i wasnt 'allowed' to before this age and unfortunately mealtimes became a huge battle which i hated. I never really liked meat but i wasnt a great vegetable eater either Just fussy all round!

 

OH & I are raising our daughter as a vegetarian but if she wants to eat meat when she is older we will both be fine with this as long as she understands where meat comes from and how it has been reared.

 

So, to answer your question, no i dont think 7 is too young to make that choice but your daughter needs to be aware that being vegetarian isnt just about not eating meat but having a healthy meat free diet, so she needs to be willing to eat other things to ensure she has good nutrition.

[Chucky Mama]

We have rule in our house that everyone has a bit of everything on their plate even if they don't like it. If they don't like something they get a small mouthful of it. This has worked well as my daughter had a period of hating potatoes and mushroom and now she likes mushrooms and would kill if she wasn't given roast potatoes with her Sunday roast. Of course they won't necessarily grow to like everything but it does keep them trying things and tastes do change. Maybe you could allow your daughters veggie tendencies and just offer a small bite of the meaty stuff on the side of her plate.

[Paddy]

She also went off sausages about two years ago. I still try putting one on her plate but it is always left!

What is unusual is we have never had a discussion about it - slowly nearly everything meat orientated is slowly dropped off the menu.

We eat alot of pasta and I do all of my own sauces - chucking in whatever vegetables I have lying around. She isn't adverse to most salad - loves cucumber like most children.

 

I feel that if we have the conversation, then she will go for it. However she is a young seven year old and the concept may be lost on her. On the other hand I really can't see her eating meat however many times I put it in front of her and it wouldn't be hard to substitute quorn into our diet.

[Paddy]

In reply to Chucky Mama :- I have this rule too and have introduced many news foods to them - they eat all sorts of fruit (kiwis, pomegranates, etc) and most vegetables ...! The meat thing is highly unusual. For example If i put bacon in a sauce - it won't be eaten however small it is chopped (don't ask me how she knows) - nice herby cream sauce without chicken - scoffed down, with small piece of chicken - left on the side (how does she know it is chicken - it could be a vegetable!)

[chickenNutter]

I'm with chucky mama, I would just carry on giving her the option to eat meat, but not forcing her. I was a veggie for about 12 years - not against eating animals, just don't agree with factory farming, now I can get free range meat I eat it again.

 

It may be a texture thing with the meat - one of my kids had that, but has over come it after we didn't push it but left the option open. But had he decided he did not want to buy into the farming of animals then I would have respected that and catered accordingly. I wouldn't talk about the eating animals issue until you feel she is old enought to consider the argument on both sides rationally without sentimentalism clouding the issue, and decide for herself.

 

My kids are both soft about animals, but when they were old enough we went through both sides of the argument thoroughly - I explained that many farm animals, particularly rare breeds, including chickens wouldn't exist if they weren't farmed for meat, but that as the dominant species we had a moral responsibility to treat any animals well and kill them humanely. I also explained that animals rarely die painlessly in the wild - life is brutal and short - sad fact but true.

 

They must make their own decision. Plus if the world was vegetarian, the available food source would go much, much further. As for myself, I just can't resist crispy bacon!

[Guest]

I've been a veggie since my father finally "allowed" me to at about 11.

 

I hate the taste and texture of meat and always have. I'm in general quite a fussy eater too.

 

Hasn't done me any harm - I'm pretty sure it's NOT why I ended up at size 28. I lost all the weight with Lighterlife and they kept saying that your tastes would change on the diet. I tried meat and nope still don't like the taste/texture. I can't say they were totally wrong though as I can no longer stand the taste of red wine

 

Keep doing what you are doing - try a substitute but if it's taste/texture she probably won't go for that either. I think quorn and stuff is just like meat!

[majorbloodnock]

Personally, I've always believed that if a child is old enough to ask a question, they're old enough to deserve the answer (albeit sometimes simplified enough for the child to understand, but not oversimplified). It so happens that I also think it's up to her what goes in her body and, perhaps more importantly, what does not.

 

However, this doesn't mean one has to pander to it. My wife, for instance, doesn't like eggs if they're recognisable as such in a meal, but I and our kids love them. Therefore, egg based meals are limited (for my wife's sake), but when they do appear on the table, my wife's meal is a little plainer than everyone else's. Ditto with my son and tomatoes. Ditto my daughter and mushrooms. All have made their preferences plain and are prepared to put up with a smaller selection of food to uphold those preferences.

 

If your daughter decides she doesn't want to eat meat, then fine as long as she realises the rest of the family aren't going to change completely to suit her; life's full of mutual compromises, and this is as good a chance to demonstrate that as any.

 

All IMHO, of course.

[poachedegg]

Our just turned 8 yr old DD (this week), will eat meat in spag bols, shepherds pie, chicken & bacon, however really struggles to eat 'proper' meat, ie chunks of steak - this is because she struggles to chew it. I do give her very small pieces of it, but only in small amounts.

 

I am of the school of thinking that the bigger deal you make of it, the bigger deal it becomes.

 

If however DD wasn't eating it because of her conscience, I would like to think that I would take her ideals on board.

 

Good luck

[Mrs Webmuppet]

LMW doesn't like meat that much especially 'chewy' meat. She will eat mince, chicken and pork at a push (but only a little bit cut up small). She will only eat beef if its been in the slow cooker all day. She will eat sausages but only one particular brand. Like a lot of the forumites have said I don't think she likes anything chewy or too fibrous. Bizzarely though she likes venison, rabbit and duck

 

I think you just have to go with the flow and adapt to kids changing tastes. The important thing is that her diet is healthy and balanced.

[Rhapsody]

to Major BN

 

I was a veggie for years, before welfare standard meat was widely available (that was my reason) and I just rolled along with what everyone else was having. Because I am not a fussy eater I ate a wide variety of foods and supported 2 pregnancies and breastfeeding stints meat-free.

There are so many alternatives to meat whether you cook from scratch or not for your daughter Paddy that she will get all the nutrition she needs, personally I would be slightly worried about faddy eating developing from this- a syndrome not confined to veggie kids! And yes I believe if a child is old enough to ask questions about animal rearing and slaughter, they are old enough to be given an honest answer (could you enlighten some adults while you are at it? I find the general ignorance of this subject astounding).

 

In my house I serve food in dishes, not plated up so everyone can choose what they want and there is only 1 rule 'Eat it, or don't eat it, but I don't want to hear about it.' Could it be coincidence that my kids will happily chow down on anything?

[Busybird]

My DD would be a vegetarian if I would allow it - and my DS1 would be a carnivore (i.e. no vegetables). They both developed these preferences at a young age (they are now 12 and 11). However, I will not cook separate meals for individual family members. My approach is to ensure that everyone's preferences are catered for over the course of, say, a fortnight and I expect the others to eat what is put in front of them. When meat or fish is served my DD gets a small portion. Likewise my DS1 is not expected to eat the mountains of vegetables that the rest of us favour. I tell them that when they are capable of planning, buying and preparing a meal they are welcome to cook whatever they choose for the rest of us (within reason ) but until then I expect them to show due respect for the efforts I have made.

 

We usually eat meat of some sort a couple of times a week, fish once and veggie stuff the rest of the time (my DS1 accepts this as he likes the rice and pasta dishes that I do, meat free).

 

I think that it is important for children to eat a variety of food. If I didn't impose rules then my DS2 would choose to eat chicken nuggets and chips every day (and no, I don't ever serve that sort of food - maybe that is why he loves to eat at friends houses ).

[Guest]

I'd say no it is not too young, as long as you do it properly and your child is willing to eat lentils, beans, pulses etc for her protein. They are so used to learning about healthy eating that it is easy to talk about proteins, which they obviously need from somewhere.

 

I found Primary school difficult re lunches because of the no nuts rule, so peanut butter was out as were any nut snacks.

 

I am vegetarian but my family isn't. We eat meat on Sundays and the rest of the week I cook vegetarian meals. Everyone's happy (except DS who is a very fussy eater too. He was vegetarian until the age of 3 and still doesn't really enjoy meat aged 11)

[Alis girls]

Paddy as someone mentioned the chewing - your daughter probably has a mixture of baby teeth and adult and this means gaps and meat can get stuck there. I would rather than making a possible eating disorder in the future enlist the help of a dieticain (via GP) there are some lovely veggie bits around. That way you do not store up probs like anaemia esp when shes older and has periods. Some veggie kids think its ok to eat just veg - this isnt right - you will lack iron, protein and calcium and vitamins like B12. Also will she eat fish? good luck

[Chickendoodle]

Just a thought but how about having a family holiday on a farm. We took our daughters to a couple of working farms when they were young (7ish) and had lovely holidays. Never spoke about the meat aspect but they could see the happy animals being well cared for and they know what they were being bred for and they ate them in the evenings, lovingly prepared by the farmer's wife!

 

I would think that 7 is too young to make an informed choice - most children, if asked, wouldn't like the thought of an animal being killed to eat. You also, as you know and looking at the other posts, have to be very careful that the animal protein is replaced properly.

 

My stepdaughter became veggie at age 15 and as far as I could see she did it properly - eating tofu, pulses etc. and plenty of greens She had a couple of severe bouts of anaemia though. She is now a vegan and would you believe in this day and age has had rickets!!!! Again, she seems to be doing all the right things nutrition wise but I don't think the diet suits her (she is now 35 and won't listen any more than she did at 15).

[sadietoo]

My impression is that the aversion to meat is due to taste/texture rather than conscience? Certainly I can sympathise with that.

 

I have only just found at that my Dad ( now aged 79) and brought up on a farm, refused to eat any meat at all until he was eleven years old..because he hated the taste and texture (he does eat meat still, but not much, and his idea of a penance would be a meal at a carvery!). I think I must have inherited this genetically because even as a child I would leave the meat if at all possible, and as soon as I was old enough to choose for myself I stopped eating it.

 

I am veggie now and have been for over 35 years. I supported two pregnancies whilst veggie and never needed any supplements of any sort. (In fact I remember when discovering my first pregnancy rushing to the doctor to check that my vegetarian diet would be ok for my growing foetus...The doctor reminded me in no uncertain times that huge numbers of Indian women (amongst others) are vegetarian and deliver perfectly health babies...that put me in my place My DD and OH are Veggie (well actually OH eats fish too when he gets the chance so not strictly veggie) my DS is a meat eater. As I've said millions of people in the world are vegetarian. ..so I wouldn't worry that a vegetarian diet is inadequate in anyway as long as your daughter is eating a wide range of foodstuffs she will be fine.

 

I agree that children can be fussy and have not pandered to my children...my meat-eating child hated veggie food/ and my vegetarian daughter hated meat...however, if she really doesn't like it what is the point in forcing it down her?? It is relatively easy to cook meals which accomodate both...there was a cook book..I forget the exact name but it was called something like Demi Veg and basically you cooked a meal so far and took out the veggie portion, and then added the meat to the rest for everyone else so effectively you were only cooking one meal...

 

Relax...its only food

[Egluntyne]

Was that child! Couldn't bear meat. Would swap my helping for siblings sprouts any day.

 

Couldn't bear to drink milk either.

 

A s has been said, so long as she is prepared to eat a wide variety of other things, tofu, pulses etc and plenty of green leafy veg, I can see no harm in it.

 

I have been veggie for years ( I do now occasionally et a little fish, so can't really declare myself to be a veggie now) , and like Rhapsody, have managed pregnancies and breastfeeding, and produced hefty babies without eating meat.

[The Dogmother]

I heartily agree with some of the views here (Major, Rhaposdy and Egluntyne).

 

My daughter has been raised eating meat and a balanced, healthy diet, she has a healthy attitude to food, isn't picky and is very active with her dancing and on a swimming team. She's always known where her meat comes from and how it's reared, helping me to buy and prepare it. Education helps a lot in this instance. If she decides to go veggie, then I really don't mind, so long as she's getting all the nutrients she needs.

 

I was veggie for many years, again because of meat welfare issues. I'm not a fussy eater at all (but will pass on sprouts, Egluntyne ) and made sure that I ate a very balanced diet as I was so active while working as a personal trainer. Mid-way through my prenancy, I developed a blood-lust (!) and just had to have meat... luckily this coincided with being able to source happily raised and local meat. I birthed a 8lb7oz thumper and breastfed until she gave it up.

 

I'm all for letting them make educated decisions about life and taking responsibility for those changes. Give her the options and let her knwo that she can change her mind at any time.

[Clur]

My son is exactly the same as your daughter, and has never really liked meat.

 

To be honest we just don't make an issue of it. A small bit gets put on his plate and he eats it or he doesn't - we just don't worry about it. He gets a well-balanced diet and is active, fit and healthy, he's just not keen on the meat texture or it getting stuck in his teeth.

 

As he's getting older (he's 7.5 now), he's eating a bit more of it but I can see him become vegetarian when he's bigger.

 

Now our 4 year old daughter, that's another story, she'd rugby tackle you for a chicken leg....!

[Yorkshire Pudding]

I also have the 'bit of everything' rule, but don't make a fuss over one or two meals where they don't clean plates - I try to keep abreast of the bigger picture of what they are eating. I also don't allow any unhealthy snacks unless they've eaten a reasonable selection of 'good' stuff!

 

I would agree that it would be silly to force the issue. Apart from creating anxiety and stress around every meal, Plum rightly suggests that sometimes there are other reasons.

 

My cousin started being picky as soon as there were recognisable lumps in his pureed food. As a child he would eat only a very limited diet, by which I mean a selection of ten foods. He existed for years on corned beef, pickled beetroot, white bread, potatoes and milk. His very health-conscious mum tried in vain to get any significant quantity of fruit or veg into him. Somehow he remained very active and healthy, grew to 6'9'' tall.... then at 27 he lost weight rapidly to 9 stone and was diagnosed with mild Crohn's disease.

 

He'd had good reason to reject those 'healthy' foods, which caused discomfort when he ate them. Now he knows what he can and can't eat, he eats a much wider diet, cooks well, eats loads and is replacing the lost weight.

 

 

Whether your daughter just doesn't like meat, or is rejecting it for other reasons, I would go along with it, but have it available when you cook it for the family, in case she gradually changes her mind.

[Paddy]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I think in my heart I know she will probably be a vegetarian, but I will leave it until she brings the subject up.

What a lovely forum - thank you!