My 5 year old says he doesn't like meat.?!
My 5 year old says he doesn't like meat.?
Ok, I'm not a vegetarian and will continue to offer meat. In the meantime, what else should I offer to make sure he grows well. I am not about to accept his proclamation that he won't eat animals yet. I'd like him to reach at least 4 feet tall before I let him choose. Yes I am sarcastic and yes I am also serious. I love to eat meat and serve a portion every dinner and he is picky and way too smart for me to lie to.
Additional Details2 months ago
Thank all of you for your input and suggestions. I wouldn't learn anything if I only considered the input of people who think just like me. I am grateful for the time you all took answering me so honestly.
I am still going to offer meat, but I am going to try to be more casual about it. I think his diet is pretty good, his favorite foods are peas, nuts, and any fruit. (I try) In the meantime, I am going to investigate the links you provided me with so I can de-mystify this protien thing. It seems like you have to be a chemist to combine things in the right way to get the full benefit.
He is an extremely intelligent little boy and sometimes I wonder if the meat issue stems from some of his other little "quirks", for example: Dryer lint almost makes him puke and a peice of tape stuck to his dad's foot acually did. He also gets very frustrated if he can't master something immediately. I'd like to extend the time on this question because I'm getting such great input in this forum.
Answers:
2 months ago
Thank all of you for your input and suggestions. I wouldn't learn anything if I only considered the input of people who think just like me. I am grateful for the time you all took answering me so honestly.
I am still going to offer meat, but I am going to try to be more casual about it. I think his diet is pretty good, his favorite foods are peas, nuts, and any fruit. (I try) In the meantime, I am going to investigate the links you provided me with so I can de-mystify this protien thing. It seems like you have to be a chemist to combine things in the right way to get the full benefit.
He is an extremely intelligent little boy and sometimes I wonder if the meat issue stems from some of his other little "quirks", for example: Dryer lint almost makes him puke and a peice of tape stuck to his dad's foot acually did. He also gets very frustrated if he can't master something immediately. I'd like to extend the time on this question because I'm getting such great input in this forum.
I've met quite a few vegetarians who started at that age in much the same way your son has. As for myself, I tried to become vegetarian when I was 7, because deep down in my gut, I knew that eating animals was wrong. My parents made me continue to eat meat until I was 14, however. By the age of 12, I'd developed an eating disorder, largely in response to having no control over my diet.
Now, I find it really frustrating that people are hard on vegans for raising their children in the vegan lifestyle. They say they're not giving the child a choice, but what my parents, you and the other people who have posted here don't seem to think your child should have a choice either. Like the people tricking their child, what's the point of tricking your child into eating meat? Are you that manipulative over other areas of your child's life? There's nothing wrong with continuing to offer meat, since it is what the rest of your family eats, but I don't think you should force it. It can have disastrous consequences.
For now, you should make sure you're serving a wide variety of fruits and veg along with some alternative sources of protein for your son, such as beans, lentils, nuts, tofu, (eggs and cheese if he still wants to eat those), etc. Faux meats if you want to.
Also, to set the record straight, I don't think vegans or anyone else should force an ethical diet of any sorts on their kids. I also don't think people should let their kids eat whatever they want. I just think that moral issues like this should not be forced, only nutritional ones (like eating peas, I'm not upset about my parents force feeding me those!). Personally, I'll raise my kids to not only eat vegan, but understand why, but when they get to the age where they're eating outside of the house, and can voice their own opinions, it's all up to them. People have enough issues with food, let's not make it worse.
EDIT: Re your later comments. Scientists used to think that incomplete proteins needed to be combined to make complete proteins at every meal. They now agree that this is not the case. They can be eaten within even a few days of each other, so no need to stress about that! FYI: Soy products and quinoa are both sources of complete protein. And beans and rice is a good example of two incomplete proteins coming together to be complete. So are mushrooms and vegetables.
At age 4, he has no clue if he likes meat or not. He's just figured out it's a bone of contention and is using it to manipulate you and exert his own brand of control.
Try offering things like:
hot dogs
rotisserie chicken
sliced deli meats
cheese cubes (can buy in a zipper bag)
cottage cheese
PNB
yogurt
cooked dry beans and peas
scrambled or boiled eggs
omg, my son is the same way. hates meat with a passion. e-mail me, and i will give you my phone number, so i can tell you how i tricked my son into eating meat, and other things. it worked. he dont like it, but he is eating it. im so proud of my self. lol
but i am serious, i will tell you. i thought my son was 2 smart to lie to also, but my lie was a good one. mean, but good.
Try offering it with a sauce to dip it in. My son loves barbeque sauce and he's six. The other night i made ribs on the bone and i thought the kids wouldn't touch it but turned out they loved picking it up and eating off of the bone. Also anything breaded usually goes over well. Eggs also provide protein so try scambled eggs. Also peanut butter is complete protein too or any nuts. Avacado is good.
respect his decision. doesnt matter how old he is, and if hes smart then he knows what he wants. offer protien alternatives, they will help him grow just as much if you add iron supplements and such. peanut butter, peas, beans, especially rice and beans- kids always like that. of course, i might be biased becuase i am a vegitarian, and i dont have kids, but it is possible to grow and develop just as well as, if not better than any other kid. less acne in his future if he sticks to it!
Well, I'm 19 years old now and I've been a vegetarian for 13. I haven't eaten meat since I was six and I don't regret that. Five is old enough to decide that, even if it seems like a big deal. My parents spent years trying to shove meat down my throat.
Try meat analogs (veggie burgers, soy milk). They have a lot of protein and are a great supplement for meat. If you support him and feed him a balanced diet, he'll grow up fine. His cholesterol will be lower than the average American and the fat content of his diet will be much, much lower. Most studies show that vegetarians are, in general, healthier than most people.
He'll be fine. Just let him be.
you could try serving meat moist and tender. Try mini meatballs, meat loaf, savoury minces, soft meat 'fingers' or meat 'chips'. Try chicken liver pate or liver sausage as a spread for a sandwich, on a piece of toast or cracker. Don't dismiss the familiar favourites such as fish fingers, sausages or frankfurters peel off skins if necessary. If you want to get your picky child to eat the foods you want them to, you have to make it look fun and
interesting. Make thier Bacon and Eggs into a Smiley Face, Make their dinner into a pizza,they will think it is something they want to eat,while you know they are eating what's good for them! Protein is important, but luckily you can get it from many sources other than meat. Whole grains combined with beans, lentils or seeds provide ‘complete proteins’ from plant source: try brown rice with lentils, pasta with peas or corn tortillas with beans, for example. You can ‘hide’ eggs in sauces or bakes; sprinkle sunflower and ground sesame seeds on the vegetables she likes so much; and offer her different sprouts regularly, such as alfalfa, mung, lentil or bean sprouts. Quinoa is a lovely grain available in health food shops that cooks quickly and is high in complete protein. Tofu, hummus, milk and cheese are also good, non-meat protein sources. You may want to look for a good guide book on the subject for more detailed information and ideas.
here's a web site that may give you some advice...
http://www.saferchild.org/foodtips.htm...
Ok...try grinding cooked chicken in a food processor, I say chicken because easier to mask...add it to a sauce...a bit at a time...it will just add a bit of texture....then the next time he says he won't eat meat...say, "you have" in that sauce you loved.
Your child has been influcened by someone to "not like meat" because "eating meat" means he is eating little pigs, calves, goats, whatever, or you have been offering "meat" choices that do not appeal to the taste buds of your child. Most young children do not relish the taste of liver, no matter what animal it comes from.
Does your child like pizza? Buy pepperoni, and tell him pepperoni is grown on trees. What does a five-year old know about pepperoni unless you or someone else has told him?
Should you continue to pamper your "five-year-old" child in his quest to become a vegetarian, then you will have to start cooking a lot of cabbage, carrots, broccoli, brussell sprouts, and squash to "keep your little man" happy.
As a teacher for over 30 years, dealing with children who have "issues" within the public school system, I can now understand where these childlren are coming from: Homes where parents "kowtow" to a five-year-olds wishes.
Although I am a vegetarian, that does seem like a pretty young age to decide his own diet. I believe that a totally healthy diet is attainable without animal products at all, but like a lot of people on here said, kids can be super duper picky ... I think all I ate as a child was fish sticks and fruit cocktail! But I can't imagine, as a 5 year old, knowing what's best for me. But hey. Mostly I just wanted to say I was offended at the 'teacher'. I believe tons of parents do let their kids do whatever they want without discipline, but this isn't really related to a child acting out, is it? He probably DOESN'T want to think about eating Fido or Whiskers. I think you're taking it a little too maliciously.
Everyone here seems to be suggesting you "trick" your son into eating meat, but he can have a healthy diet without eating it.
I am not a vegetarian, but I know that with the right things your son will grow to be perfectly healthy without eating meat.
It is of course your decision, but I would suggest giving him peanut butter, lentils and other beans to make sure he is getting enough protein, and of course fruits and vegetables.
Is it really so wrong for him to choose not to eat meat?
If you do trick him, hopefully he won't resent it later in life if he does become a vegetarian.
Good Luck with it.
go to www.vegansociety.com
i am too board to giving answer like that.
People are really not thinking of their mind. Please be minded!
I can totally understand that you are feeling frustrated with his declaration, but lying to your child about what he is eating just doesn't seem right. Did you ask why he all of a sudden has decided not to eat meat? Perhaps talking to him about it would help you understand his rationale. I think that it is really nice that you are looking for resources to help feed him what he needs eventhough you don't agree with or understand his decision.
My nephew decided not to eat meat around the same age and while it was really tough for my sister to deal with at first, she says that now she respects his decision and loves her how compassionate and passionate lher son is. She still makes meat for the rest of the family for dinner, but usually makes him a special meat free entree. Also the rest of the family eats a meat free dinner twice a week for health reasons. She usually serves veggie burgers, pasta tossed with vegetables, stir fry, or some kind of vegetarian ethnic food. My nephew really like beans so bean burritos and things like hummus are favorites.
Just be sure your son gets enough protein from alternate sources like eggs, beans, cheese, yogurt, soy products, etc.
Here are some good links to nutrition sites that may be useful:
http://parenting.ivillage.com/gs/gsnutri...
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/nutriti...
http://www.vnv.org.au/nutritioninfo.htm...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/vegetarian_and...
Hope this helps! Good luck!
You wont accept it? It's not like he is joining a cult. Humans do fine without meat and are healthier without it. Google the vegetarian food pyramid.
Here is a site that helps you know how much protein Veggies have in them. I wouldn't worry about his "meat" consumption. Most children don't care for meat. The person that said feed him things like hot dogs is all wet those unless organic & without nitrates are horrible for any human.
http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2007nl/a...
You're right, he's smart. You're not going to get away with scamming him into agreeing with your choices, particularly since his choices are much healthier, and he apparently is very well aware of that fact.
Any dietitian would tell you that, for your own good, you need to be eating more plant-based meals that you do. But your son will do himself no harm whatsoever by being a vegetarian, just so long as you educate yourself on what's required. When you do go, you just might change your own mind as well.
I'm giving you sources for information. When you son is old enough, share it with him. In the meantime, don't sabotage his goals. That's extremely poor parenting.
Who is brainwashing him about eating meat?
He needs protein in his diet and most 5 year olds do not eat a lot of beans, the #1 source of alternative protein.
If he is not allergic to peanuts- peanut butter in the diet is a huge help.
If he will eat a burrito, that is a good way to get beans in the diet.
Continue to serve meat, sometimes it is the way it is presented. My picky grandson loves chicken on a stick. It is teriyaki chicken strips, sliced very thin, and threaded on a skewer. The cooler the presentation the better.
He won't eat a hamburger?
Someone may be influencing him in an unhealthy way if he is that adamant at such a young age. Or it could be a phase. My son went through a vegetarian phase for about a year, and then decided that animals are grown specifically to be used to sustain the human race.
I honestly think you should take him to a doctor. A doctor will tell you exactly what you need to give him to keep him healthy. It will take the guess work out,and take a load off your shoulders. You'll know that even though he's not eating meat he's going to grow up healthy.
:0)
it's OK. Your boy will grow alright. Read the book "You Don't Need Meat". It describes a situation like yours.
I would allow him to express himself. Making an issue of him not wanting meat will make him hold his ground more. I suggest that for the time you go with it, offer him vegetarian foods, they are probably healthier than what he is eating now. In my experience of taking care of children I notice the complete lack of vegetable and fruit intake. A plate of chicken nuggets is not a healthy dinner for a growing child. I'm not saying that you are feeding him only junk or plates of meat, but if your child is willing to consume more vegetables and healthy grains then go for it. I'm sure many parents wish they had the oportunity.
Children go through phases. He is most likely trying to assert a bit of independance. Be supportive, food can be a major power struggle between parent and child. My guess is he will go back to eating meat as long as you let the phase pass.
For the mean time be sure that he is getting enough protien. Choose beans, nuts, grains to replace protien. Children age 4-6 need only 24 grams of protein per day. Protein is in everything, just look at labels.
If your son is still eating eggs, drinking milk than b12 is covered, you could also try fortified cereals.
I don't think this is about letting him choose, but allowing him to discover himself as an individual. Making big a deal of food issues does not usually turn out well.
Also I think tricking him is wrong! He may be a child, but he deserves the same respect that you would give an adult. By tricking him you are essencially teaching him that deception and lying are acceptable means of getting someone to do as you want. I'm sure that is not a lesson you want him to carry with him. Be glad that you have raised a child that has a mind of him own and not afraid to use it, don't squelch that.
Good luck
PLEASE pay attention to this answer. In one of my yahoo groups, there are some mothers who ran into the same problem years back. Their children had not yet made the meat/animal connection, and they forced their kids to eat meat. Those kids later developed severe allergies to protein, especially in meat form. The same thing happened to me-I didnt like meat long before I knew it was from a cute animal, but I was forced to eat it, and eventually learned to love it-I developed SEVERE allergies to the most common foods, such as wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, peanuts, etc., I have now learned that meat animals are fed many of those things!Your son may intuitively know that his body rejects meat-listen to him and save yourself loads of trouble later on. His body knows what it needs, and it clearly does not eat meat. I recommend fixing him something hearty with beans or lentils, such as a bean and rice buritto, taco, or tortilla wrap. There are MANY great sources of protein on a vegetarian diet. I understand your sarcasm, but as an adult with severe allergies I suggest you just lay off the meat for now, rather than have to eliminate the most common foods later. My diet is extremely limited due to my force feeding of meat as a child. Offter him choices, and if he feels the urge for meat, fine. Also, if you allow it to become and issue-it will, bigtime. Just blow it off for awhile, and let him come to terms. He relies on you, but you should respect that even very young children can make good choices if given the chance. It is clear you respect the fact that he is too smart to lie to, so in turn, respect the fact that the little guy can make a good decision. Email me if you need more details, Good luck
edit: wow, after reading the answer from the "teacher" I think I will go back to homeschooling! How frightening that someone who thinks that narrow minded and off base is educating our children! No wonder the world is a mess and no wonder there are more eating disorders in the world today.
You must be a lucky parent. While other children avoid wholesome food in general, your child is very wise to refuse unhealthy food.
whether is it plant- or meat-base diet, the most important is to have a balanced diet.
Daily Nutrient for Childhood:
Last I checked, all nutrients that a growing child need can be obtained from plant-sources.
Vit A (carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, apricots, broccoli, and spinach)
Vit B (fortified cereals, pasta, whole grains, dried beans, peas, and soybeans, dairy products, nuts, legumes)
Vit C (citrus fruits and their juices, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, turnip greens and other greens, sweet and white potatoes)
Vit D (made by our body when we exposed to sun)
Vit E (wheat germ, corn, nuts, seeds, olives, spinach, asparagus, and other green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils)
Vit K (cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, soybeans, and cereals)
Folate (green, leafy vegetables)
Biotin (dairy products, whole-grain cereals, legumes, broccoli and other vegetables in the cabbage family)
Calcium (soybean, spinach, kale)
Chloride (tomatoes, lettuce, celery, olives)
Chromium (green pepper, apple, banana, spinach)
Copper (mushroom, sunflower seed, peanuts)
Iodine (asparagus, mushrooms, seaweed, sesame seeds)
Iron (spinach, kidney beans, tomato puree, chickpeas)
Magnesium (bran, cashew, pinenuts, soybeans, various nuts, brown rice)
Manganese (apple, apricot, barley, green leafy vegetable, oats, raisins)
Molybdenum (dark green leafy vegetable, barley, buckwheat, sunflower seed)
Phosphorus (milk, yogurt, peaunt butter, rice, noodles, corn peas)
Potassium (sweet potato,prune juice, carrot juice)
Selenium (cucumber, enriched bread, rice, walnut)
Sodium (table salt, most food contain sodium)
Zinc (pumpkin, beans, nuts, wholgrain)
My son is a vegan and he's healthier than any of the other kids his age...he's also taller and more socially developed. (he's 21 months).
You can offer him lots of things. Here are some examples of what I give my son:
calcium enriched pasta with plain tomato sauce
quinoa instead of rice (1 cup of quinoa has more calcium than an entire quart of milk!)
tempeh (found in health food stores. It has a nutty/mushroomy taste that is fantastic!)
setian (wheat gluten and water) this is really yummy and you can just use it like you would any other meat
tofu hot dogs with ketchup
oven baked fries
vegetable stir frys with sweet teriyaki sauce
go to www.ppk.com for some awesome recipe ideas! :)
i think that you
should leave him alone!
if he does not like it
he does not like it!!
?
start w/pizza bites w/ cheese ... then go up a notch to pepperoni.. make yourself a nice FAT cheesesteak sammich and offer some to the lilguy..and check out those that are pumping 'anti meat' into his lil brain.. no more discovery channel..
First I want to commend you on investigating alternatives for your highly intelligent and sensitive son .. The answerer #2 who lied to her son..shame on you ..I would not lie to my child or trick him .. I have raised 2 vegan sons (one is 6 foot, one is 5'10"s)..and yes I know this to be a very healthy and sound diet ..sometimes with intelligent and sensitive individuals , their body senses a problem and they unconsciously avoid it .. example as I child I did not like shrimp..refused to eat it ..when tested as a teen with allergies ..my strongest and potentially deadly was iodine ( thus shrimp would have sent me to hospital) I am only saying this is possible .. I also want to say eating fruit, nuts,beans,carbs,whole grains ,veggies ,tofu ,etc are all so incredibly healthy ..and I never thought much about my sons eating or their diet except to give them carbs (pastas,rice etc) , veggies, fruits , nuts in abundance ..they are healtheir then any of thier friends and I have no doubt will remain healthy and live long .. .. so feed him healthy organic food and research on line sites ..you will see how truly genius he is ..
Offer a combo of beans and a grain, together they make protein. Example, red beans and rice.