#raisevegan

[acti-veg]

I was raised omni and considered "underweight" until puberty and chronically anemic after puberty. I know someone with an omni child that has been "underweight" and struggled to put on weight their whole life but is otherwise healthy and growing and their doctors aren't overly concerned. I know someone else with an omni child that is autistic and has a very limited diet and massive speech delays that no one is worried about. My vegan since birth child is "underweight" and slightly speech delayed but otherwise very healthy and growing and developing on track and their doctor keeps asking to see them every 3 months to check their weight. Last year they asked about what they eat and said it sounded good, but this year they said their diet may be "missing things" and when pressed for what other kids were getting that my child wasn't they said "well you're still doing a mainly vegan diet, right? Fruits and vegetables are great for some vitamins, but they aren't getting eggs, milk, and cheeses that other kids are getting." Then they implied my child may be speech delayed because they aren't getting everything they need for good brain development. Is this about protein? Fats? Do they think peas, lentils, tofu, soy products, nut products, oils, and grains are "fruits and vegetables" that don't contain protein and fats?? My child is not ill or inactive or struggling and their blood work is great. Why is there such an emphasis on weight? Why am I being treated like I'm stupid or neglectful just because we're vegan? Why am I left afraid to say no to what feels like unnecessary weight tracking because so many people have called veganism child abuse and it feels like refusing would get me a call to cps??

This sort of thing is very common for vegan parents from what I’m reading, and part of the issue is that general practitioners generally don’t know much more than the general population about nutrition, and certainly not about plant-based nutrition. You’re right to ask them to be specific on what exactly they may be missing, because if their bloodwork is great then that answers that - nothing. ‘Cheese’ is not a vitamin, afterall.

It may be good to ask them to refer you to a nurtionist, if they have a genuine concern about nutritional intake that should be more than reasonable for them to do. Weight wouldn’t indicate most deficiencies anyway, so it is all a bit confusing. It sounds like the only actual issue here is a social one, not a medical one; and what you’re dealing with may just be straight up ignorance and prejudice.

I can only advise looking at resources like raisevegan, they have a Facebook and Twitter too, perhaps other parents can offer you advice on how they’ve handled this?

[startingattheroots]

Work in progress* "The formative period for building character for eternity is in the nursery. The mother is queen of that realm and sways a scepter more potent than that of kings or priests." --Unknown 🦌 ✏️ ✍️ ✏️ ♥️ ♥️ 🌟 #wip #deer #whitetail #wildlife #nature #nurture #artwork #artsy #wildlifeart #veganart #coloredpencil #ink # lines #color #fauna #flora #motherhood #raisecompassion #raisevegan #herbaby #notyourmomnotyourmilk #instaart #illustration #create #createsomething https://www.instagram.com/starting.at.the.roots/p/BsoNVqAgOFF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rbermni3wraq

[katieviney]

🍍🤰🏻✨Cheers to 38 Weeks 🍍🤰🏻✨ Our baby was made with love, grown with love and I take each day one at a time. I remember to breathe deeply and trust that everything is ok. ✨ 🧘🏽‍♀️ #raisevegan#veganpregnancy#38weekspregnant

[crystalina19k]

This kid.... STOLE my #Arbonne30 smoothie yesterday. #vegan #CHOCOLATE #protein mix, #goodkarma #flaxmilk, #spinach, and #hempseeds I guess I can’t really blame her. #vegankids #raisevegan (at Menifee, California)

[veganpregnancyandparenting]

What an adorable picture from @naturesarmy ❤️❤️ Start them young! 🌱🌱 #veganpregnancyandparenting #raisevegan

[bossbabelifestyles-blog]

Wow 😮 still in shock that this year went by so fast 💨 Took me a while to post anything due to the emotional week for this mama. 🌿🦁 Happy Birthday to this wild one! Davy is now a one year old weighing in at 22lbs and 30 inches. Blue eyes like his Grandfather and left handed 🖐🏼 like his mama, stubborn and very determined like his dad. Walks when he feels like it, loves nature, water and animals ,Elmo too. 🗣 First words dada, uhh oh and doc for dog or maybe it’s duck. 😂👏🏽 He enjoyed his party and we Appreciate everyone for coming we love you all very much !! 😊🥰♥️🙌🏼 . More pictures coming soon enjoy these smash cake ones. Thank you for capturing these 📸: @alex_erv ____________________________________ #welcometothejungle #green #junglethemeparty #toddler #gentleparenting #plantbased #veganparenting #raisevegan #vegancupcakes #veganbaby #veganbirthdaycake #plants #wildoneparty #one (at Bayshore, Tampa) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2PTyGoldlQ/?igshid=1vo0umja5b5id

[epicnancylee]

There’s delicious substitutes for everything! Go Vegan 💚 💚 Via @vegancommunity . . #vegan #veganfood #bestofvegan #veganeats #crueltyfree #veganlifestyle #vegansofig #veganfamily #topveganplaces #veganlife #atxvegans #vegansofaustin #austinvegan #veganrestaurant #govegan #raisevegan #modernveganfam #plantbaseddiet #veganism #plantbased #vegankids #eeeeeats #veganfortheplanet #oilfree #pbwf #engine2 #realfood #eeeeeats #feedfeed #veganforhealth #veganforanimals (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsdSD1YA3SK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u0c9kwpzsve1

[agirlnamedally]

I feel like you have a tendency to brush legitimate criticisms aside and say "how could that happen, it would never happen." Like w.r.t to those asks you just answered, I feel like it's obvious how a kid would feel left out by not being able to eat a cheese pizza in a pizza party or whatever. It'd be more genuine to just say "I understand that there are situations where this could happen but I feel that imposing my ideology on them is the most important." Raising kids vegan would be restrictive

You’re entitled to this opinion, but genuinely I think it would be fine. I also don’t think I owe strangers online who choose to conceal their identity when sending in their “legitimate criticisms” an explanation, but here we are.

So far I have five friends with babies/kids so far (one from high school, two on the Gold Coast and two more here in Melbourne) and all of them are raising vegan children. It is truly incredibly common in Australia for families to live this way. I think you saying “raising kids vegan would be restrictive” is like saying “raising kids healthy would be restrictive”. Of course it limits which foods they would eat - for a purpose. Their diet would be nourishing and abundant, as would their life.

Some food at birthday parties that is already vegan without anyone having to try and do something extra:

fruit platter/fruit salad

fairy bread

popcorn

oreos

hummus and crackers

bliss balls

hot chips

potato chips

icy poles

skittles

pringles

ritz crackers

pb&j sandwiches

On top of that, I could also provide vegan nuggets, sausages, party pies, cupcakes, pikelets, cookies, cake, whatever my child liked, etc etc etc.

Plenty of kids have allergies to nuts, dairy, gluten and so on - all of which are taken into account when preparing food for a wide variety of children. People make options, and their parents will bring some along too.

I’m not planning on having children any time soon. The world is already incredibly vegan friendly where I live and only becoming more so every single day as people learn more. Like I said, I think it’s important to teach your children what you believe is good and healthy. When they are old enough to make their own decisions, if they decide they want to eat animals, they can. I think it is unethical to impose that decision on them before they can choose it for themselves. If you’re looking for some inspiration on raising happy healthy vegan kids, check out these instagrams:

If you’re looking for some inspiration on raising happy, healthy vegan children, check out some of these people on instagram:

@bdbrown50 @hayleycarey_@ourventurebeyond @sarahlemkus  @chelsea.jean@rawfullywholesome@ellenfisher @raisevegan @deliciouslyella @thefairlylocalvegan @erinstanczyk

Like I said, all parents should do what they believe is best for their children.I’m not worried, and you shouldn’t be either :)

[darkumvi]

#Repost @incogneato_vegan • • • #Repost @incogneato_vegan • • • Never gonna make me feel bad for being vegan 💯 Stay strong today 😂 - - #veganaf #govegan #veganhumor #vegansofig #veganbaby #raisevegan #veganparenting #vegansofig #vegansofinstagram #veganmeme #vegancommunity #incogneato_vegan #incogneato_vegan https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqg8q2_nbkX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=193surbw72seu

[lucirebecca]

yes that would be sugar free pancakes topped with maple syrup 😆 Tried to make it look pretty with banana? Kinda looks like they're under siege from a lot of banana UFOs? Oh well. I gave the kids some - today is not a pancake day, apparently. So they had Alphabites 🤪 . . . . . . . #plantbased #dairyfree #foodie #foodporn #foodphotography #vegan #veganfood #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #veganuk #vegansofig #foodgawker #letscookvegan #spoonfeed #whatveganseat #veganbreakfast #twinmom #mumofmultiples #momofmultiples #momlife #breastfeedingmama #breakfast #manchestervegan #raisevegan #pancakestack #pancakeporn #veganpancakes #eggfree #sugarfree https://ift.tt/2G5BrNT

[buddhabowlscoconutbowls]

Every month is to us! 🍄🍎🥕🥦 We are excited to partner with those also passionate about nutrition and wellness to bring you incredible goodies to improve your health and the health of the environment. 💪🏼🌎🥦 @marriedtohealth, @raisevegan, @buddhabowlsorg, and @nudfud How to win? Enter via @marriedtohealth Giveaway Post on their page!

[acti-veg]

On the nhs website, it says veganism isn’t suitable for children under the age of 2 because they have different needs?

The NHS info is a bit confusing, the Eat Well guide says that, the then two paragraphs later it says “if you’re bringing up your baby or child on a vegan diet, you need to ensure they get a wide variety of foods to provide the energy and vitamins they need for growth.” Their specific link on vegan diets or babies and children goes through each vitamin which we should be aware of, but doesn’t say anything like “your baby should not be vegan. Their general health page says it’s suitable for all stages so let me as you’re getting the right vitamins. I suspect that page may be out of date, or written by more than one person with different opinions.

We know there are thousands of children who have been raised vegan from birth, they are perfectly healthy and there is no significant evidence to suggest babies are worse off for it. Most of the larger periatric societies pretty much agree that you just need to be careful, which is true. Raisevegan is a good resource for this sort of thing if you’re worried.

[startingattheroots]

Cultivation and growth are crucial to the human spirit. Without them we tend to shrivel and decenter much in the same way that our life giving fruit and vegetable plants do. To create and nurture, I believe, is the very essence of a human being. Straying too far from these self fulfilling practices has fouled our souls and whitewashed our incredible brains into apathy and mindless consumption. ☘️ 🌿 🌱 🌾 🍅 Tomatoes from my plot this past summer. Winter has it's own brutal beauty and is a time for reflection and, hopefully, rest but I sure do look forward to growing another year's life giving miracles. 🌟 🌟 🌟 #tomato #foodforchange #foodforthought #foodsystem #socialjustice #cultivate #culture #vegetables #raisevegan #raisecompassion #urbangardening #permaculture #plantbased #vegan #vegangarden #urbanplot #communityissues #create #nurture #buildsoil #love https://www.instagram.com/starting.at.the.roots/p/BsluIKFAfD2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mm3git58dmyt

[katieviney]

Oat banana pancakes!!!! 🥞 These bad boys where my goto breakfast after having Vance. Usually my second meal of the day. I have my celery juice and placenta pills first then a couple hours later, PANCAKES 🥞!!! #vegan#plantbased#veganpregnancy#raisevegan

[lovesanimals77]

@Regran_ed from @modernveganfam - This is INSANE human speciesism. “Let’s save the salmon! (For us to eat). Fuck the sea lions.” STOP EATING ANIMALS FOLKS. . . . Thanks to @katelouisepowell for the tweet . . . #vegan #veganism #vegansofig #vegansofinstagram #vegetarian #animalliberation #animalrights #cuteanimals #veganquotes #animalwelfare #socialjustice #friendsnotfood #veganlife #livekindly #plantbased #veganforlife #wereallanimals #govegan #veganforanimals #veganfortheplanet #veganforhealth #respectlife #thefutureisvegan #raisevegan #environment #animalrightsactivist #veganfamily #vegans #plantbased #plantbaseddiet https://www.instagram.com/p/BromI81Doub/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tly10gcuzi74

[veganpregnancyandparenting]

Raising vegan kids & knowing they are growing up compassionately who will one day change the world is the best feeling. You're an awesome Mum @the_hungry_mother (at Williamsburg, Brooklyn)