My daughter tried being a vegetarian for a day

Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White, is a classic 1952 children’s story loved by many. I read it when I was young and my daughter enjoyed it when we read it together a few years ago. She understood that food comes from farms and some animals were raised for food and others raised for farm work. While we were reading the story, I had asked her about her feelings for Wilbur, the livestock pig who was destined to be put down at birth and again when he was grown until a barn spider named Charlotte saved him. “How do you feel about our society growing and killing animals for food and selling them in the store?” Her reply was unexpected and very childlike, “But I love bacon, daddy”.

My mom is a great cook and does it old school. She doesn’t use a measuring cup and does everything by feel and taste. I have learned a few things from her and managed to replicate a few of her recipes. But simplicity and lack of time sometimes dictate that I cook in bulk on weekends. On weekdays, I use a slow cooker, eat simple meals or grab healthy take-out. As my daughter’s taste buds are similar to mine, we explore all sorts of tastes, smells and colors in our food. She eats what I make and saved for a few items (scrambled eggs, onions and peanut butter – not all together) she has few dislikes.  One day, we were invited to a friend’s house and I was asked to make a guacamole. I did, and it turned out better than I had expected. I made it again at home and my daughter wanted to take some for lunch. She said that she has a friend at school who is a vegetarian and wants to share an experience with her. I was wary. She’s never expressed a dislike to meat for gastronomic or ethical concerns. And I didn’t want her diet to be a statement of fad.

Although strict vegetarians are often healthier than omnivores, eating this way is not a one or two day experimental; it is a lifestyle change. For us, our diets simply matched our activity levels, preference and gastronomic inquisitiveness; aversion, belief or allergy didn’t dictate the type of foods we ate.

So, I indulged her and packed enough guac and tortilla chips. She got water, fruit, sliced vegetables, bread, crackers and dips as well. Cookies were out as they were made with animal by-products. So were gummy bears and pepperettes. It was a totally vegetarian lunch (according to what I know of vegan). I sent her off to school and that was that! Eight hours later, when I picked her up at aftercare, she bolted toward me and asked if I had brought any food. Apparently her lunch and snacks at school weren’t enough and she was hungry for most of the day! She also said that when guacamole warms to room temperature, it runs and isn’t appetizing. I didn’t do it on purpose and even though I wasn’t actively discouraging her from this green diet, I was glad that she wanted a regular lunch the next day! “Are you sure you don’t want to try again with different vegan foods tomorrow?” She quickly responded in the negative. I felt relieved. It would be very difficult for me to cook vegetarian; I would actually have to cook two dinners since I am personally partial to red meat, white meat, fish, seafood, eggs, cheeses and many things that come from animals. I like vegetarian food but for me it is a side paired to my main. My constitution just requires more protein. My daughter is also very active so her diet must match her activity levels compared to her vegan friend who is more sedentary. For us, eating this way wasn’t an aversion, belief or allergy to certain foods; our diets simply matched our lifestyle, preference and gastronomic inquisitiveness.

If your child wants to partially or fully switch to a plant based diet, there are things you’ll need to be aware which I later learned. First be aware of the lingo. Vegan diet means no animal products or by-products. Lacto vegetarians consume diary; ovo for eggs. Then there are pollotarian who will consume poultry and fowl including its by-products. Finally, pescatarian will consume fish and seafood. Depending on how strict the observance and whether the restriction is based on allergies, you’d have to be careful about cross contamination from knives and cutting boards. There’s a reason why your grocery store sushi section is not next to the butcher!

The other thing you need to be very concerned about is dietary requirement for a growing body and brain. Since vegetarian diets exclude many animal proteins, it must make up with plant-based protein. Animal protein contains amino acids essential for metabolic processes in our bodies. Plant protein is not complete. Even if the diet draws from naturally sourced beans, lentils, nuts and good quality carbohydrates, the amount and quality of protein is lower than animal protein so supplements are essential. And since kids are generally more active, get hungry faster and have a higher propensity of filling up with empty calories when they run out of good fuel, they may not have the discipline to stay on this path. Going vegetarian is not an easy feat. Although strict vegetarians are often healthier than omnivores, eating this way is not a one or two day experimental; it is a lifestyle change. This plan is also less forgiving when meals are skipped and especially when the body is sick or injured.  I’m no doctor, so please consult one if a switch is a part of your reality. And good luck.