How To Raise a Vegan Family

Vegans follow a diet that contains no animal products. This includes the obvious, such as no meat and dairy, and the not-so-obvious, such as honey, instant Jell-o and white cane sugar. Vegans consider it exploitive or cruel to harvest honey from bees. Jell-o contains gelatin, a product made from animal hooves and connective tissues. And part of the processing of white cane sugar involves the use of charcoal filters that may contain animal bones (beet sugar does not have this filtering step and is therefore vegan).

As more information comes to light about the healthful benefits of a vegan diet, some of the myths are being dispelled about it. A balanced diet is important, and it is possible to achieve this without animal products. If you would like to raise a vegan family, here are some tips.

1. Be informed. Research the vegan diet before your baby is born if possible. Know why a vegan diet is the right choice for your family, and believe it. This knowledge will give you confidence to stick to your choices.

2. Be prepared. Doctors and family members may not be supportive of a vegan diet, and may actively attempt to undermine it. Once again, knowledge is key – be ready to discuss your reasons for choosing a vegan diet, and do not expect to make believers out of everyone.

3. Be confident. Don’t be intimidated by your children’s pediatrician or your family doctor about your dietary choices.

4. Find alternatives to traditional fare so your child will not feel ostracized. For example, there is vegan chocolate available for holiday celebrations, vegan birthday cake recipes, and even vegan lunch “meat” like hotdogs and “chicken” nuggets.

5. Read up on a healthy vegan pregnancy. You may feel pressure if you are growing your family and well-meaning physicians, family and friends think a vegan pregnancy isn’t healthy.

6. Don’t be afraid to work with a dietician or nutritionist to make sure your family is getting a balanced diet. If only non-vegans did this!

---

If you liked this post, submit your email address below to get new posts by email:

Disclaimer: This website is not a substitute for consultation with your health care giver. You should not use any of the exercises or treatments mentioned in this website, without clearance from your physician or health care provider.

Disclosure: When I mention products, you must assume I will receive compensation for doing so. However, I only recommend products and services I myself use or believe in and would recommend to my own sisters and mother. Nevertheless, you should perform your own due diligence before purchasing a product or service mentioned in this website.