Would I be depriving my children???

Question

I am a vegan and I am pregnant. I believe in fruit for breakfast as it is very cleansing.

I want to give my children 2 pieces of fruit in the morning, and then some raw nuts later as a mid morning snack and then reg vegan lunch & dinner. I am afraid that becuse they wont get cereal, waffles, pancakes, granola and all those yummy breakfast foods I would be depriving them of the joy?

I mean I could feed them that only on the weekend for breakfast but I really want to stick to mainly fruit for breakfast. My kids are only 1 & 2 right now so what do you think?Do you think theyll hate me or be made fun of because of the way they eat?

(im raising them vegan)

Answer 1

You should talk to a registered dietitian for specifics, or pick up a book on raising vegan children.  But children that young need more fat and protein than adults and fruit is not a good source of either.  I would be half starved by lunch if I had nothing but fruit for breakfast.  Personally, I'd give my kids a more substantial, protein packed breakfast and save the fruit for the mid-morning snack

I'm always curious about the "don't mix fruit with any other food" notion, as well as the notion that you somehow need to be "cleansed" on a daily basis.

Answer 2

Well it is quite easy to make vegan pancakes and waffles, and cereal can be served with rice milk/soy milk/almond milk. What I would suggest is that you make them these meals for breakfast only on weekends and on special days, such as birthdays or holidays. I don't think they'll be made fun of for being vegan, but it would be easier on them if they understood why, not just "because it's what mommy does." I doubt they could hate you, if you're a loving and kind mother. You should invest in the book Vegan With A Vengeance to make yummy vegan meals that you're kids will like. I love that book and it really helped me become vegan. Good luck!

Answer 3

Well, you shouldn't force a Vegan diet on them. It should be their choice. Besides, cereal doesn't have meat or any animal product. Just by whole-grain cereal (ie golden grahams and soy milk) and you could both eat that. All vegan diets aren't as healthy, because children need a lot of Vitamin B12, so they need a supplement, if not meat, a lot more than you do. If your children are females, they need a lot of iron in their diet.. hard to find in vegetables. You can be vegan, but let them have a choice. And if they must be vegan, just make vegan versions of foods.

Answer 4

YAA till they get older or get used to the routine

Answer 5

Raising children vegan is not depriving them.

Feeding them nothing but fruit for breakfast sounds like you want them to be under-/malnourished.

Children should be allowed to eat however much they want as long as it is a good balance of foods. You sound like you want to have a very rigid meal plan for them and that is just sick. Are you trying to raise more examples of sick vegan children?

Do you give them a daily source of B12?

All vegetarians should take a B12 supplement regularly since most people eat meat, dairy AND fortified cereals yet still have a B12 status that is lower than recommended.

http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/b12

Bread, pasta, cereal, rice, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies can easily offer everything that you need except B12.

http://www.veganhealth.org/sh

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo

If you're giving birth to all of these children, I hope that you breastfeed them and take a daily prenatal or multivitamin.

Answer 6

I would feed them more than just fruit for breakfast.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  2 pieces of fruit isn't nearly enough to sustain a child in the morning...plus, children's stomachs are smaller and hold less.  Fruit digests quickly so they will be hungry in no time.

Perhaps some whole grain cold cereal or oatmeal with soy milk and some fruit would be a better choice.  You could also make them whole grain toast with natural peanut butter and a glass of soy milk or home made cocoa made with soy milk.

You should give them some kind of protein with breakfast.  It will give them long-lasting energy.  The fruit is a great thing to give them in the morning, but it may just not be enough.

Answer 7

there are many substitute pancakes and waffle mix and such sold in places like trader joes;health food stores and such.

There was once a study that raising a child vegan or vegetarian  is depriving them ;and a form of child abuse.

this "study" was done on starving children in Africa and they had a small amount of nuts everyday;so once giving them the meat;they would naturally get better. this was "study" was also paid for by the Meat Industry. So your not depriving them at all. if anyone mentions a study thats what there talking about xD so yeah ha.

Answer 8

Are you all raw veg@ns? I'm not too sure about raw veg@nism myself but I think that they might feel a little deprived. If I couldn't have those veg@nised things like waffles and pancakes I would feel that way, especially as a small child I would.

Answer 9

Just fruit for breakfast.If you didn't say "children" i would have thought you were talking about feeding a couple of birds.

Answer 10

Fruit for breakfast is fine for you as you are an adult, but children really need a heartier breakfast than that.  It may be cleansing, but that's not what children need most.  They need the energy from the carbohydrates that grain and cereals provide.  Just fruit is not enough breakfast for a child.  Cook them some oatmeal or whole grain cereal.  

They also need milk to get enough calcium to grow strong bones.  I don't think you should raise small children on a vegan diet.  It's one thing for you to make that lifestyle choice, but you shouldn't make it for your children.  Wait until they are old enough to make an informed decision for themselves.  I'm not saying you have to cook them steaks, but you should give them eggs and dairy products at least.

Answer 11

why not let them chose what they want. its fine if you are that way but you cant exspect your kids to believe the same things?

Answer 12

That is far too light a breakfast for energetic children.

Answer 13

YES!!  They will not be getteing enogh of anything.  when they are older ask them if they want to be a vegetarian until then don't make them!  or at least give them cereal for breakfast!  That is not even close!  It is not healthy for little kids to not get enough rpotein or carbs or fatfor the day

Answer 14

For now, no, I don't think you're depriving them of anything.  Give them what you see fit.  Remember that not all kids like the same stuff anyway.  When they get older, you can talk to them about it and make adjustments.

Answer 15

i think you need to talk to a nutritionist first.... kids need more than just fruits and veggies (As i imagine adults do too)...

if your vegan aren't there vegan cereals, pastas, rices, etc?  so they can still get grains?  what's wrong with them having that with fruits and vegetables?

i think you might be a bit too stringent, especially for a childs diet...

Answer 16

you should probably put a carb source somewhere in the morning. Young children need alot of protein, fats and carbs.

Maybe you sholud give them some fortified breakfast cereal and fruit for breakfast.

I would definitely speak to thier pediatricain though, he can give you more insight on the nutrition a child needs.

=)

Answer 17

growing children need much more and so do you now that you are supporting another life...

oat meal is very good and filling ...great with fruit and peanut butter...

Answer 18

With younger children, you need to talk with a doctor that understands vegan life style.  Younger children need certain foods for good development.  A lack of good development will show up later on in their lives such as eyesight, voice development, bones, blood, diabetes, internal problems such as liver and blatter problems.  Please seek the advise of a doctor before it is too late.