I have 3 young children ages 8, 7 and 5 and we, as a family, became vegan 11 months ago. It has been an adventure, mostly good. I told the kids the truth about what I was learning about our food, where it comes from, what the consequences are and the choices we have. They were all enthusiastically on board. They are amazing little people! It is tough watching them handle being different, the school has a dietician drill them each week on the food pyramind, to which I told them to turn off their ears when she's discussing the "other" food groups And then the school has a monthly pizza day and pushes a milk program... their are birthdays every month with cupcakes and ice cream... and then their are my friends and other good meaning parents, even health professionals who out right tell me what I'm doing is extreamly harmful and down right dangerous:( Sometimes I just want to take my babies and move to our own desserted corner of the earth:( I have done nothing but research health and nutrition for the past 10 months, I feel like I'm covering all of the nutritional bases and looking at the information from all sides. I haven't blindly jumped into this and I would never put my childrens health in jeapordy. Is their a pro vegan professional I could seek out to back me up and put my mind at ease? I feel extreamly passionate about our decision, I guess what I'm looking for is some stregth, some advice on how to defend this path I've chosen for my little family. 

Hello.....I know that there are vegan health professionals out there....unfortunately I can't think of their names at this time. If I recall, I will write again; but please be rest assured that everything our bodies need to function well--even optimally can be found in the vegetarian diet. The most essential thing is to make sure that we eat well; that we eat plenty of whole foods (whole grains, fruits & veggies, legumes, nuts and seeds). I've been blogging lately about vegetarian nutrition. If you would like to read any of my posts (for confirmation and/or validation), here is the link: http://jahnavifoster.wordpress.com/

I hope this helps!

Hi Lainey,

I don't know that I have much to offer in advice but just know you're not alone. I've gone through the same thing to some degree with some family members. Luckily I found out after finally admitting to my pediatrician we were vegan, she was 100% on board with it. I was worried she would completely disagree with me but I decided to be honest and make sure she was looking at my daughter with that perspective to make sure she was healthy looking. Even though I do believe a vegan diet is SO healthy, my kids don't always eat so healthy themselves (although eating meat and dairy wouldn't make them eat healthier). I don't know where you live but maybe you could shop around for a supportive pediatrician. Funny enough, lately I feel like we're attracting like minded individuals. My ob/gyn isn't vegan herself but is very supportive, my daughter's teacher last year was vegetarian and very vocal about her love of animals, one of her teachers this year is vegetarian (I just found this out the other day) and her art teacher outside of school is vegan now and was raised vegetarian and her parents rescued farm animals. How cool is that? 

Anyway, you might be surprised and find some supportive folkds out there! Good luck!

Thanks for your responses I needed that:) We eat a phenominal diet, in my opninion;) I've made an appointment with a nutritionist/dietician on the recommendation of a friend. She promises me that she is young and modern, insightful and knowledgeable about alternative lifestyles and choices;) It would be great to attract some like minded people:) I find I try not to tell people about our diet. I always feel like it will sound elitest I guess? I know years ago my eyes would have glazed over if someone tried to tell me about it. lol 

Thanks again for the positive words!

Lainey

Good for you Lainey!

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