Growing Up Vegan

The questions started the moment we told them we were expecting a child:

So…the fact that you’re vegan – will your child be vegan as well?

What about dairy?

And eggs?

Isn’t he going to be missing certain nutrients?

Will you ever feed him meat?

What will happen if he asks to go to McDonald’s?

What about when he is out with friends, or goes to a party?

When my husband and I met, we were both already vegetarian. We didn’t consume eggs, although we consumed dairy products, mostly yoghurt and feta cheese.  However, we then starting learning more about the dairy industry, how badly the cows are treated, the hormones and antibiotics that are in milk products, and so forth. We watched a number of excellent documentaries that opened our eyes to what really happens behind the scenes in the food industry, and to be honest, we were shocked to learn what is going on. With the scales lifted from our eyes, one decision we made was to avoid milk products, as we don’t want to support the commercial dairy industry. That said, however, this is only one of many reasons for being vegan: other motivations relate to healthy living, respect for others (including animals), and concern for Mother Earth.

Our being vegan naturally interests people and sparks discussions relating to diet and health. People are naturally curious about what we eat and often ask us questions concerning protein and calcium, amongst other nutrients. The debate naturally intensifies when it comes to children, and raising a child vegan, and the possible impacts it might have on a child’s growth and development.

We are neither scientists nor dieticians, yet we are parents, and so naturally we have chosen to raise our child by our own views, although of course we do so mindfully. At the end of the day, as parents we all do what we hope will be best for our children; we learn as we go along, and it can sometimes be helpful to share experiences.

Growth and development

Regarding our son, so far his growth and development has been normal. We have visited our paediatrician for all the regular check-ups, measuring his height, weight, chest and head circumference, and so forth. Notably, in his three years of life, he has needed medical attention only twice: for a bout of high fever whilst teething and for a recent leg sprain. Overall his health is excellent. He is alert and intelligent, loving, physically strong, and abounding in energy. We visited the dentist a few months ago; she checked his teeth and reassured us that his calcium levels are okay. We also tested his blood and his iron count was good.

Nutritionally, we wanted to give our son the best possible start in life, and so I breastfed him until his second birthday, in the belief that mother’s milk is best. We were also privileged to spend most of the first two years of his life living in the countryside with his grandparents. There we ate a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, home-grown with love.

In addition to his regular meals (he eats what we do), we have also consciously supplemented his meals with seed and nut proteins and fats from an early age. Examples include:

• Seeds (flax, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin) – ground fine as a powder, and then sprinkled on top of a dish or mixed into it
• Nuts (usually raw) – blended with banana and other ingredients into a smoothie
• Tahini (paste made from sesame seeds) – as a spread on bread/crackers, in pasta sauce, or dribbled onto salads
• Humus (paste made from chickpeas) – as a dip with raw veggie sticks, or as a spread on bread/crackers (cooked, mashed beans can also be used)
• Nut butters (almond, peanut, etc.) – on bread/crackers, in smoothies, or mixed with mashed banana for a quick snack
• Avocados (when in season) – tasty, nutritious, and easy to eat (no teeth required)
• Dates and raisins – as healthier alternatives to sweets and chocolates

The question of Vitamin B12, generally available from meat and animal products, is perhaps a topic that warrants some additional reading. Apparently people only require small amounts, and these can be obtained, for example, from fortified products, nutritional yeast, and vitamin B12 supplements. As a family, we honestly avoid the use of supplements, however it might be prudent to have blood checks done every now and again.

Commercial food

In today’s world, there are many choices we need to make concerning the food we eat and how we feed our children. For a start, commercial fruits and vegetables are typically picked green and then packed into cold storage for months. Fruit is often lacking in natural sugars, rubbery in texture, tasteless, and nutrient-starved, not to mention the use of pesticides. What is more, the fresh produce in the supermarkets is often suffocated in plastic shrink-wrap. If we look at the ingredients of other packaged and processed food on the shelves, we see lists of E-additives, preservatives, colourants and so forth, not to mention the high salt and saturated fat contents. Refined white sugar is another foodstuff we are told to be wary of, as well as soya products, and of course genetically-modified food. Therefore, whether or not to eliminate animal products from our diet is but one of a host of food-related issues we are faced with.

Physical activity

Good health concerns more than what we put in our mouths. Personally, we love nature and being outdoors, and we enjoy being physically active. Our list of favourite sports includes hiking, running (mountain trails and road marathons), cycling, rock climbing, and yoga. Naturally, we believe it important to introduce our son to a variety of physical activities, which he will hopefully be able to enjoy throughout his life. Importantly, being vegan is not an issue here, even when it comes to running ultra-marathons, as my husband can testify.

Future choices

School lunches, birthday parties, McDonald’s… how to deal with these?

Most schools allow children to bring their own food from home and encourage healthy packed lunches and snacks, so this should not be a problem. For birthday parties, home-baked cakes and muffins can be provided, and there are lots of delicious eggless and dairy-free recipes available online. Popcorn is vegan, as are nuts and raisins! When it comes to McDonald’s and Burger King, it will be our duty to educate our son about what is really inside those foods and how they are prepared.

Growing up healthy

We don’t wear badges to show off to others the fact that we are vegan, but it is one of the choices we have made about how we live our lives and are raising our child. Naturally, we will teach our son about what we know, but ultimately he will need to make his own decisions about how to live his life.

At the end of the day, we wish for our son to grow up physically healthy, emotionally strong, caring, and wise. We would like him to respect himself, others, and his environment, and we will do what we can to support him in this process.

By Dr Robyn Sokolinski

Robyn is a primary and middle school teacher, and teacher trainer. Originally born in Cape Town, South Africa, she recently moved to Switzerland with her husband and three-year-old son, and they can confirm that it is possible to be vegans in the land of cheese and chocolate.

Illustration by Jen Bognar