8 yr old girl wants to be a vegetarian?

Question

My 8 yr old daughter has recently learned that meat comes from animals, that have been killed for food.

I'm hoping this is just a stage, but I don't want to discourage her at the same time.

I've told her that it will be up to her to find out what she can do to make up the nutrients such as iron & protein that are found in meat.

If being a vegetarian is really what she wants, then that's ok with us so long as she doesn't compromise her health in doing so. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Haha kids can be so stubborn. Ok just let her be one, and tell her all things she can't eat. She will most likely change her mind after a few days. Just call your pediatrician and ask about vitamins and things with high protein content. Good luck :)

Answer 2

My daughter also said the same thing. I told her that she could become a vegetarian when she began to eat enough varied foods to eat healthily. So we are working on finding many different recipes so she can learn to eat a wide variety of foods. It doesn't hurt to start eating more vegetables and less meat regardless of your age or motivation. But I wouldn't make it her sole responsibility to find proper nutrition. That is your job as her parent. It would, however, make a great project for you to do together.

Answer 3

let her do wat she wants but as she grows older she'll know wat she really wants..but sometimes try to make her eat meat..something like bacon..something taht she likes..

Answer 4

There are more vitamins, mineral, and other beneficial nutrients in vegetables than there is in artery clogging meat and eggs. Over the years meat residue builds up in the colon and causes many diverse diseases cancer only being one of them. Obesity comes to mind as a main concern. It has been said that 80% of all disease is caused by the blockages that form in the colon due to the consumption of meat and/or meat byproducts. If your daughter wants to become a vegetarian at her age, it is probably the best thing she can do, especially if she keeps it up all of her life. Then she will enjoy not only a healthy life, but a very long disease free life.

Answer 5

I think it is great that you have told her to research it but it is important that you do as well she can not be completely responsible for her diet at 8 years old.

If she is a vegetarian and not a vegan can still have cows milk, diary products and eggs.

There are other food which contain protein like fish, eggs, cheese and nuts.

Iron can be found in eggs and green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli.  Vitamin c can help absorb iron which is sometimes harder to absorb from vegetables than red meat.  Therefore it would be a good idea for her to drink a glass of orange juice when she is eating these foods.

She needs dairy for calcium rich foods (although can be found from other things if vegan), carbohydrates for energy (this is pasta and potatoes etc), protein can be from fish, eggs and cheese.  It is important for her to have fats in her diet for essential fatty acids but that doesn't mean frying everything.  She obviously needs her 5 fruit and veg a day.

Get a good, easy to use vegetarian cookery book a lot of the recipes can be used for the whole family increasing the amount of fruit and veg you are all eating and prevening you from having to cook two lots of meals.

There are vegetarian meat substitutes and soya based things like quorn, linda mccartney etc.  I would be careful with some of these as their ingredient list can be very long and not very appealing with a lot of salt and flavourings.  An example I would use is Sausages from the butcher with 70% meat, animal fat and cereal compared to vegetarian sausages which can often have 20 ingredients in and be a very strange uniform shape (I am thinking of some linda mccartney ones I got!)

Make sure she has a balanced diet and has all her nutrients.

Answer 6

I would talk to your doctor to make sure if there are any supplements,she needs she gets them.

Answer 7

First of all, I think you're awesome for supporting your daughter in this. This is great that she is taking a stand for something she believes in. You should talk to her doctor about what she can do to suppliment her diet without the meat, but meat really isn't necsessary for protien and other nutrients. You can get her things like tofu, and green leafy veggies also. Spinach is very good for iron and other veggies. You can buy her tofy patties that taste like chicken, and also the mushroom burgers. There are a lot of veg foods that you can buy that she will like a lot. My mom raised me as a veg. Yum. You might even like it better.

Answer 8

I think it is a great thing that you are letting her try this and research it on her own, but I would differently take her to the doctor and ask lots of questions, but take her with you so she can ask her questions too.  That away she knows what she needs to do to keep herself healthy.

Answer 9

well introduce her to the veggie burger soy beans and thats about it

Answer 10

let her do, i myself was raised a vegetarian and micro biotic and in in great health it a self righteous choice, but it is important to teach her what she needs to replace the nutrients she gets from meat. but don't make her do it alone if this is really something shes interested in, help her, I'm not saying become a vegetarian your self, but get online with her and get some information read it over with her as well, because theres gonna be some terms and what not that shes not going to totally understand...and that  why it will be something you guys can bond with too..and she'll see that your really interested in her interests...hope this helps a bit...

Answer 11

First of all, don't put total responsibility on her for her diet. She's only 8. She needs your help in learning more. You might make her *more* responsible for her food and planning and all that, but don't put it entirely in her hands. She's 8! She could either give up because she feels too discouraged, and possibly end up feeling for a long time like she's failed, or she won't get all the information she needs and won't stay healthy.

Second, there are plenty of books out there now on vegetarianism and kids. Take her to the library and look some up (or if your library has an online catalogue, check there first)--there are books on general vegetarianism and kids or specific cookbooks. Check in bookstores for other books the library might not have.

Answer 12

Being a vegetrains is perfectly healthy. Just make sure she eats plenty of green, leafy vegatables (e.g. spinich) and egg so she keeps her iron levels up.

Answer 13

I think that it's great she's made this choice.  My 7 year old and 5 year old are both vegetarians and are VERY healthy.  I have been one for 20 years and am very healthy as well.  I let them decide, though, and didn't push my views on them.  We eat a lot of meat alternatives and I'm always trying new foods on them so they'll never get tired of what's on the menu.

Answer 14

My 3 year old daughter has been raised a vegetarian and we so NO ill effects. She is a bit on the small side, but her parents aren't giants themselves -hehe

She has tons of energy, is rarely sick, and if she is, she fights it off better than most kids.

You do want to consult her physician though. There are certain things her body is used to, and switching to a vegetarian diet might require some supplements. My daughter talkes multi-vitimins.

Good luck. I am fascinated that she made the decision. Kids are very sensitive to the needs of animals, so I am not surprised that she made this decision. Don't discourage it...this will also be a test for future INDEPENDENCE choices you'll have to accept.

Good luck!

Answer 15

I don't think she should be a vegetarian at her age.  She's still growing and needs iron and nutrients you get from meat.  Consider when she's older but now is NO WAY!

Answer 16

Being a vegetarian is a much healthier lifestyle for sure. Your protein and iron can come from vitamins, and beans, and other foods that she will eat. So long as she gets enough. You also have to be aware that if she starts this vegetarian lifestyle, and stays on it for a long time, she can't go back to meat suddenly because her system won't be use to it. I remember hearing something about that. I would definitely do some extensive research on that.

Just recently saw on the news about this one company abusing the cows. The cows were sick so they put out a warning to everyone who may have bought the meat, and they showed some footage of the sick cows that couldn't even stand on their feet, and some idiot on a fork lift was pushing the cow with the prongs of the fork lift. How sad huh? I was so upset seeing that. I can see why your daughter would have feelings for these animals.  Since she's 8, it may be easier for her to become vegetarian. To me, I would have no clue on what to fix for meals. LOL  Salads would be all I know.  :-)

There is a product out there called RELIV.  You can go to www.reliv.com and check out their website. A lot of people are boasting about this product. I recently just started it so I can't tell you from experience, however there are so many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in this product for adults and kids! This may be the way to go in order to give your daughter the daily nutrients she needs. And it will be great for you and the rest of your family.  I've heard that people are not as sick as often, and are living healthier lifestyles.  I've lost five pounds since I started the product a week ago. Not sure if that was just me myself, or the product helping me to lose weight.  :-) But I'm not complaining. LOL

Hope this helps you. Take care.

Answer 17

I don't like that idea at all. Children (as well as many adults) have to be told what to do. She's too young to make that decision for herself.

Answer 18

Show her the things that she will have to eat as a vegetarian, spinach for protein and iron, tofu, sprouts, lots of green vegetables, etc. She may change her mind. Tell her she can't have things like pizza with cheese on it or any meats like pepperoni, no hot pockets, no mac and cheese, you can get soy milk and soy cheese, but she may not like the taste.

Then let her decide, if she wants that way of life then go for it.

Answer 19

protein can be found in Lot's of other foods,like beans is a great replacement for meat, it's full of protein and also peanut butter.

Meat is just an easy way to cook,but not the healthy way to eat,

If your 8 yr old wants to be a vegetarian, good for her,i say she is a very smart girl.

Answer 20

Children at this age are finding out about themselves, but more so, the world around them. I believe that it is the choice of your daughter to stand up for her beliefs, even at such a young age. Becomming a vegetarian will not affect her health and well-being, like you say, provided she is given the necessary vitamin and mineral tablet or supplements.

Its great that you have chosen to be supportive, although I would recommend that you sit down with her and take some time together to find out about the rather than saying "it is up to her" to find out what she needs to take as supplements. As Im sure you're aware, at this age, she may find this sort of research rather daunting if having to face it alone. Show her that you are behind her in her "trial" and look through library books together, make collages of healthy and beneficial foods she can eat as a vegetarian. Go grocery shopping together and look at all the foods she will now be able to eat, also pointing out foods she must now avoid, but placing less stress on this point to make her experience enjoyable.

This may, as you say, be a phase she is going through, but she may wish to keep this up! I remember my sister making a stand aged 9 to become a vegetarian - she bowed a few times, but in adulthood, is completely veggie now!

Answer 21

HI! I was going to ask this too. My daughter is 8 and she has decided lately to be a vegitarian. I am torn. If I tried that my parents would have MADE me eat the meat or they would make my life miserable until I did possiblely ending with spanking me until I gave in. Now that is going a little far.

But I think about these families were this kids doesn't like chocolate milk and this one doesn't like white milk, so they buy both. That is fine. But than this kid doesn't like peas, this one doesn't like carrots, the husband doesn't like corn, and so the mother makes 3-4 separate dishes of vegtables for one supper. So many parents make so many dishes and at the store they go all out to get a buffett for their kids. When I was a kid you just ate what was provided or else... even if you sat at the table till morning looking at your plate.

So where is the balance? My 8 year old wants to not eat meat either now. I have not said anything and hoping it will pass. I don't know that I am willing to put together a vegatarian diet for her and a regular one for me on top of full time university and having a baby and my being single with no family support. My hands are full, my budget is limited while I am a student and I just don't know if I will go along with this new thing of hers.

I knew a family who had 3 girls. they were cousins of mine. They all decided this and now are all grown up and left home and are still vegatarians. So maybe this isn't a phase... but a 'calling' or a decision based on what they beleive. I dont' know what I will do. I will look at your answers.

Answer 22

our daughter is a vegetarian as well, she is 7, she didn't like the idea of animals being killed for her to eat....except for seafood, and dairy...we explained to her that dairy was okay because animals are not killed in the process of extracting milk.  as for the seafood..I'm not sure why she is okay with it, and I didn't question her on it, as seafood is good for her. aside from fish, she eats alot of veggies, and fruits, she does not like tofu however...but it might be because I have no idea how to prepare it correctly :). and she eats nuts...and peanut butter. she is very healthy, and her weight is fantastic! during her last yearly doctors checkup they always do a blood test yearly on children to check for iron levels, and childhood diabetes..the doctor said you could actually see a difference between the children who eat healthy and those who don't..and that our daughters was the best she had ever seen..she could tell that she ate alot of broccli. our daughter has always sort of been the odd ball of the family (in a good way) she never did like her bottle, and had to be put on food, and a sippy cup at around 3mths of age..and she would only drink water out of the cup..she didn't like breastmilk, or formula, or regular milk, or juice, she would only drink water. to this day...she only drinks water. she loves pasta..but with no sauce at all, occasionally I can talk her into tomato sauce..but its usually with nothing on it. her breakfast consists of rice krispies, life or cornflakes, and she loves melons, so she will eat cantaloupe with it or honey dew. she loves honey wheat bread with peanut butter (all natural) and honey. and apples for a snack at school with her lunch. I'll buy a package of chips ahoy or oreos, and they last her the whole month. however...she loves ice cream, but since all her other food is healthy...I don't worry about that so much. anyway..she does great on the veg diet..and its actually helped us too, I make my husband and I a meat sometimes..and just extra vegetables and a pasta side...or sometimes..we just eat vegetables. my husband and I weren't big veggie eaters, or fish eaters before..but due to her, now we are. and we've definitly seen a difference in ourselves as far as feeling wise and weight wise.

Answer 23

Don't leave her nutrition up to her.... most adults can't figure that one out adequately.

Hope she likes beans and tofu....

Answer 24

just make sure she takes a multi-vitamin and she should be alright.

Answer 25

I was 7yo when I became a Vegetarian.

I watched Babe, and refuse to eat pork any more. Then I became ill from eating red meat.

You can get her some multi vitamins from your local drug store, which will be really good for her. They do have iron tablets for kids.

Just support her decision. I am almost 24 and my family still tries to dish me up meat! Most kids grow out of it, some don't.

My niece (11, Sunday) went through this stage. Didn't last long, about 3 months.

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Answer 26

you should go to the library or bookstore and get veg cookbooks then you can try things together and learn about what she needs because at 8 she will need lots of help.

i think it's great that you support her in this i wasted to be a vegetarian around the same age and my parents really took offense to the idea which was really hurtful, so good job with accepting who she wants to be.

good luck!

these websites are a big help:

http://vegweb.com/  (recipes)

http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Everyday-C...  (recipes)

http://parenting.ivillage.com/gs/gsnutri... (veg kids article)

Answer 27

my opinion is that it is a stage.  my daughter did the same thing and once my daughter realize all the yummy foods she was going to have to cut out, like ice cream, milk, bacon, fried chicken, etc. it didn't take her long to pass through the phase.

Answer 28

Seeing as her reason is that animals are killed for meat, maybe she will accept being a vegetarian that eats eggs and dairy, then you would have no problem with the protein part.  You definitely do need to make sure she gets enough iron, anemia is a common disorder in kids, and especially since she is nearing puberty, she especially needs enough iron.  I would allow her to do her research, but face it, an 8 year old's research is not going to be detailed enough, you need to do it yourself.  I would take her to the doctor before starting the change, have her talk to the doc, with you in the room of course, and ask the doc to give her all the benefits and possible negative points about it, and what can be done to prevent the negative.  It is ultimately your responsibility to make sure she gets the proper nutrient balance, after all, she's a little kid.  But you can be glad knowing she's eating her vegetables, which a lot of parents have trouble getting their kids to do.