The KInd Life Community Forum
Use this space to share stories, exchange ideas, ask questions, and contribute to our growing community!
I've been vegan for 6 weeks, love it and think I want to be a superhero. My problem, I have very picky 2,4 and 6 year olds at home. Making matters worse, my 4 year old has always been underweight so I can't just do the old, "she'll eat when she's hungry" deal. I've been basically making 2 meals, or even worse, making my own, then throwing together a typical mac n cheese, nugget, cereal kind of dinner for the kiddos. I know that's not good, but I'm not sure what to do. I definitely put the meal I prepare in front of them, and encourage them to try (rarely do they) while adding in some rolls, applesauce type things they like. Bu t this is a hard sell for adults, much less kids raised to think milk, yogurt and meat are vital!! Any tips, recipes or just some other moms to commiserate with would be welcome.
May I recommend Boca Chickn nuggetts? If she is a fan of the chicken, these are a good substitute. Soy milk can be substituted for regular milk and they have Kashi or other granolas that are good. Is there are Whole Foods near you? If not, check out the organic section of your grocery store and take a look at all of the organic/gluten/dairy free options there.
There are MANY options ... so many people don't even know about! Best of luck with you AND your kids!
I can absolutely comminserate!!!
I have a 3y/o who only eats a few foods and not only does she not like anything new she REFUSES to even try anything. Even at her daycare's thanksgiving lunch last week, when all her buddies were gobbling up food, I was so excited b/c she actually licked a mashed potatoe and said yum. she wouldn't put it in her mouth but she licked it which is big for her. So you see, I comminserate!!
The only meat my daughter will eat are chicken nuggets (only the ones from whole foods) and applegate chicken dogs. But she is a big milk and cheese fan.
I have been increasingly concerned about her diet the more I learn about all the antibiotics and harmful effects of these products. At the same time, she is as you describe...at the bottom of the percentiles for weight and I'm not willing to go with the 'she'll eat when hungry'. As it is, she will often go a day or so with only eating a bite or two. Her pedi isn't concerned b/c she is tall and keeps growing but she is tiny.
I really like Becky's suggestion about boca nuggets. I'm going to give it a try. I know I have tried a non-meat version before and she knew instantly and refused....but I guess I really need to keep trying. I really would love to see her not ingesting meat and dairy!!
If you experiment and have success, please let me know what worked for your kids.
Nice to know there are others in my situation. I feel like all 3, or at least 2 out of 3, of my kids eat only a few bites every day. My ped. has been concerned and we've tested the 4 year old for all sorts of crap, and they've determined she's just a picky, petite kiddo with a high metabolism, we think. She is normal for height, just negative % in weight. Keep me posted if you come up with ideas. I've already tried vanilla almond milk and she says she likes it, but didn't drink a ton. She eats very little meat as it is, but she loves milk, cheese, and yogurt. I will keep looking out for any soy substitutes that may work.
BE CAREFUL with Soy! It is a very controversial substance....I'm told STAY AWAY!!!! by all of the health professionals I know and trust!
I can't tell you how much I feel your pain. If I tried to go 100% vegan with my kids they would wither away. They just don't eat enough quantity and they're super picky. I still do it sometimes and luckily I can usually count on cashews and peanut butter but they just won't eat the proteins and fats they need. The thing is they wouldn't actually ask for the non-vegan stuff...they just won't eat the other stuff I offer. It's such a bummer.
I can't tell you how much I feel your pain. If I tried to go 100% vegan with my kids they would wither away. They just don't eat enough quantity and they're super picky. I still do it sometimes and luckily I can usually count on cashews and peanut butter but they just won't eat the proteins and fats they need. The thing is they wouldn't actually ask for the non-vegan stuff...they just won't eat the other stuff I offer. It's such a bummer.
Michelle - I've heard the same. Esp. with little girls and the hormonal effects it might have. My understanding is it is all still very unknown and I take the approach that in moderation it will be ok. Keeping in mind...my daughter won't eat it...period...so I've had little to worry about. This morning I tried to substitute milk with rice milk (not soy) by doing 1/2 & 1/2. I sent it her daycare w/ lunch so we'll see.
I agree about the soy. I'm trying rice and almond substitutes. Nervous about the kids and so much soy.
I have three children too (same ages as yours) so I know where you're coming from. I try to eat mostly superhero breakfasts and lunches myself but dinners are usually normal vegan recipes for everyone with dairy cheese or parmesan to sprinkle for my kids and hubby if they want. They've been pretty open to:-lentil and bean type stew/casseroles-little pita pizzas with rice or soy cheese and lots of vegetables, veggie pepperoni -bean and cheese burritos are enjoyed by all (they eat real cheese most of the time but I've subsituted rice or soy cheese and they haven't noticed-vegetarian chili made with lots of beans -vegetable sushi-frozen organic sweet potato fries-frozen vegan gnochhiI think the key is to do a big batch cook...usually on a Sunday afternoon or evening. Bake some banana muffins to keep in the freezer, cook up a pot of brown rice ( that lasts all week in the fridge), make a soup and a stew for you and try it on the kids a couple of times through the week alongside some of their favourites, toast some seeds, make a dressing, soak some beans. Also, chop up a bunch of veggies a couple of times a week so that you can throw together a quick soup or salad for yourself if you're serving something different to the kids. Some of the sneaky tricks that work with my kids are blending certain items so that there are no "chunks" and providing things for them to dip into or bits and bobs to sprinkle on top of their food. Also, I think that there is nothing wrong with giving them a simple meal as long as it's well balanced; they are often really happy with a simple plate of crackers/pita triangles, cheese, fruit/veg and a glass of milk (my daughter really likes rice but they mostly drink organic dairy milk).
16 Comments