Discussion Board

Hello,
I have been a vegetarian for more years than I can remember. I have flirted off and on with vegan-ism. Now is the time to convert I feel. I'm ready. My only hold back is I want to bring the diet to my kids as well for their health. My kids are 13 (pretty much a meat and potatoes kinda boy) 10 year old twins (one who likes pretty much everything, except some veggies and the other dislikes a lot of meat but doesn't like cooked veggies) and my 9 year old daughter who is about 95% vegetarian, so she will be easy. I would love some ideas on how all of you introduced this diet to your family, especially after your children were already used to eating terrible. Thanks

Luckily when we started our kids were little so I think it was a bit easier.

First of all, I would say education!! Especially with your older children. Teach them why you want to eat this way and why they should. Help them to understand how it wil benefit them. Have them read some books if they are willing. Try to get them on board by understanding more about it.

Then, I would try to copy their favorite recipes and make them vegan/McDougall. It is easier that it seems. What do they love most? Burgers, spaghetti, enchiladas, soups etc...

Good luck!

What is your stance on tofu and other processed soy items?

I eat tofu as does my daughter, and she loves veggie burgers. I haven't given the boys tofu yet, but don't forsee too much of a problem with it

I have no children still at home but my hubby and I did some cooking the other day that made me think about childern. Mine always cooked with me and that helps tremendously in cooking what you eat.
We made homemade tortilla chips. Massa flour and water roll into balls and press between plastic rap or wax paper. Use a pizza cutter to cut into chip size pieces. Sprinkle lightly with salt and bake on cookie sheet for about 15-20 min.
We made guacamole witch is also child frendly but bean dip is easy too.
We like tacos in our house and I used black beans (Half drained) and taco seasoning from the healthfood store. Drain after cooking so that it is not soupy but still holds the flavor. To replace hamburger. No cheese on top.... don't miss it. The 1st time I shredded carrots on top just for the visual and they were great. The same Idea works for Fajitas and buritos.
I have a great recipe for bean burgers to. I like to bake them for a drier firmer texture.
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1/2 finely copped onion
1/2-1 clove garlic minced
a handful of wholeweat dried bread crumbs
1 egg substitute (1 1/2 teasp. EnergG to 2 TBL. warm warter.
Sqish beans with fork a little
mix all but the egg sub together lightly then add egg sub and finish mixing (hands work great)
Form into patties (Makes 3 nice sized patties) and bake on pachment paper or lightly sprayed baking sheet for about 30 minuts at 350.
Top with all the usual and wholewheat bun.
Goes great with TOTS and apple slices or try the apple crumble in the Starch Solution book. It's great!
I'll try to remember some other kid friendly things. But get those kids in the kitchen!!!! It's great family time. My brother learned to guggle with potatoes. When you drop it you peel it!
Hope this helps.

I started eating this low fat vegan plan in January and started my kids on it in March. It was tough at first, my kids complained, whined, threatened to go on a hunger strike, etc., but the reality is that I am in charge of buying healthy foods, making the healthy meals and they are in charge of choosing to eat or go hungry until the next meal. Mine all chose to eat.

In the beginning, they ate a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast and lunch (although they were still eating school lunches). I'm a teacher, so I'm off this summer and I've purchased recipe books and have given my kids the option of finding and making their own recipes, but so far, they prefer to wait and see what I come up with.

Yesterday we had tacos, salad and watermelon. The kids ate two and three serfvings. We used lowfat whole wheat tortillas, fat free vegy beans mixed with Picante sauce, had shredded lettuce, diced onions and tomatoes for toppings, plus a salad with a variety of fat free dressings and watermelon slices. We set everything out on the table, said our blessing and served ourselves. It has been a while since we had a sit down meal as a family and even my nonvegan hubby joined us.

My kids living at home are 12yo girl, 14 & 19yo boys. Other meals they enjoy are spaghetti with whole wheat noodles and oil free spaghetti sauce, baked potatoes with vegy chili and other vegy toppings, vegan Boca burgers with home baked fries, most Vegetable Soups, Cheater Thai Pad noodle recipe (fatfreevegan.com) and stir fry over brown rice. Good luck! AnneC

You might look at books by dietitian Ellyn Satter. It's not that she advocates a vegan diet, but rather has amazing insight into parenting and feeding. She's clever about the attitude to adopt with "picky" eaters etc. Get it from the library and take it back right away if it's not what you need!

Laurie