Discussion Board

Hello,
I need some advice, please. My family eats a plant-based diet. My children, 7 and 9, have never eaten meat and very little (usually accidental) dairy. They announced today that they want a hamburger and a piece of "dairy pie." It's partly curiosity and it's partly a feeling of being left out on occasions such as the recent holidays where they watch their cousins eating non-stop junk food. I always have their favorite alternatives on hand and we are conscientious about informing them of the reasons for our diet choices.

I don't want to create obsession over "forbidden fruit", so our current plan is to support them in their curiosity by taking them to Marie Callender's and allowing them to split a burger and have a piece of pie asking them to pay attention to how the food makes them feel. We will also communicate that this is a one-time deal. That they will not be allowed to eat as their cousins eat on vacations, etc.

Any experiences and/or feedback would be helpful.
Thanks!
Jen

I think that you know your kids best and if you feel this will help them, go for it. They may or may not feel the effects of the dairy/meat. My thoughts would be on their meals around this which should be really light and heavy on the veg. Maybe taking them on a Friday so whatever digestive upset they have won't interfere with school. Bottom line, you still control their diet and this experiement shouldn't lead them to suddenly start eating garbage all the time.

Yes, they may or may not feel bad after such a meal.

Instead, you might just inconspicuously point out a few people at the restaurant that have the body shape and looks of eating meat and dairy in excess.

Did you do this already? How did it go? What are your kids saying now?

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. So, we went through with the experiment. For some reason they insisted on Denny's which was probably good, because none of it tasted very good to them. My 7 year old (who was the most adamant about this) only ate 1/4 of the burger and the next day said, "It actually didn't taste so good." My 9 year old ate more of her burger and was very constipated the next day. Both had the dairy desserts, but again, didn't eat alot, but I think they ate enough because they noticed runny noses over the next few days. They said they like soy delicious better than the dairy ice-cream and that is something we can easily do once in a while.

Overall, I think it was a success, because what they were really after was knowing "what they were missing" which now they don't think is very much. So, we're currently in the kitchen making baked falafels and hummus which they love. So, back to normal!

Jen

I'm glad they didn't like any of it

Jen, happy to hear your experiment went well.

Baked falafels? Is this recipe from McDougall and available online? If not, would you mind posting the recipe, please? I'd love to try these.

Sure, the recipe for baked falafels is on this site:
http://chowvegan.com/2009/01/06/baked-falafel/

If you're interested in a time saving (and fat saving) tip, we use this panini maker all the time - it's reasonably priced at $40 and the nice thing about it is that both heating elements (which are non-stick) are flat instead of ridged like most panini makers. We use it for perfect french toast and hash browns and I also use it for the falafel. Instead of placing the balls on a tray in the oven for 20 minutes, I put them in the panini maker which flattens them, of course, but they cook fast (more like 3 minutes) and crisp up nicely and fit easily inside a pita pocket with all your veggie fixings.

http://www.target.com/IMUSA-Panini-Sand ... B001GIBXHY

So, there you go. More than you wanted to know, probably...
Jen

No, more please!!! I just read this aloud to my husband and have been instructed to ask what else you cook on this thing. He is now salivating at the thought of being able to make his own healthy falafel without having to use the oven. I guess we're probably going to find the local Target store later today!

Did you make any changes in the recipe?

You might also talk w/ them about how the animals live and die. Don't terrorize them, of course, but my niece went veg (ovo/lacto) all on her own at age 9, mostly b/c she'd spent 9 years listening to me talk about why I was vegan. She told me she thought it would be too hard to go vegan right off the bat, and I supported her--some is better than none at all!

But it was the ANIMALS, not the health benes, that got her off meat. Kids are very empathetic.

Thanks so much for the recipe and cooking tips!

Do you use the olive oil when you make them?

Actually, no, I usually leave out the oil even when it calls for a small amount. I also did not use the cilantro in that recipe. Just a matter of taste, I guess.

Good Luck!
Jen

Thanks!