“The one indulgence I’ll allow myself is gravy. I simply cannot give up poutine; it’s not happening.” This quote comes from someone navigating the path of a shifting vegan diet.
My 10-year-old daughter is currently moving away from meat.
For now, she identifies as a pescatarian, but given her strong attachment to her five pet fish (each residing in their own separate tank), I doubt she’ll be able to enjoy a plate of wild salmon for much longer.
While I developed a penchant for porterhouse steak at her age, she is cultivating a sense of ethics.
Her reasoning reflects that of many individuals choosing vegetarian or vegan lifestyles: a profound empathy for animals who, even at the hands of the kindest hunter-gatherers, meet a terrifying end.
For her, the situation is starkly clear—much like the pleasure I get from a perfectly grilled, marbled New York strip. “I just don’t like how it tastes, and I feel sorry for the animals. Imagine if you were one, and it was just, ‘Okay, your time is up now.’”
I can’t fault her logic. She clearly inherits her father’s fondness for animals. While her compassion has blossomed into a call for action, mine remains just on the cusp of medium-rare.
Her culinary journey has compelled me to revisit my own eating decisions. It has also sparked that strange sensation of suddenly realizing I’m the last one to learn a new truth. It appears as though vegetarians and vegans are everywhere, while I’ve been preoccupied with the Herefords.
My teenage neighbor Oliver classifies himself as a “strict vegetarian, mostly vegan.” He claims his decision was driven by “environmental and political motivations.” It’s essentially a protest against the environmentally harmful factory farming system.
Yikes. I don’t feel overtly targeted, yet this weekend may see my meat freezer buried beneath my garden shed, accessed only through a clandestine door hidden under the tomato vines.
My daughter’s choice to modify her diet has ignited a sense of unease within me. I have frequently penned thoughts on eating disorders, the influence of peers during teenage years, and body image concerns—issues that can deeply affect young women.
Was her dietary shift a warning sign? Am I equipped to guide a 10-year-old—and eventually a teenager—through the complexities of vegetarianism and veganism?
I sought unbiased guidance for my budding vegan.
Kim Arrey, an author and registered dietitian, asserts that numerous resources exist for parents and children keen on alternative eating options.
One author Arrey suggests is Vesanto Melina, a prominent figure behind the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ position paper on vegetarian diets. Melina has penned numerous books, including Raising Vegetarian Children (McGraw-Hill Education, 2002).
I can envision my daughter at the dinner table, her spoon happily digging into her homemade bean and apple salad, reciting the merits of veganism based on passages from the book I shared with her.
The hunter has become the hunted.
What about energy management?
Surely there’s a connection between my daughter’s performance in soccer and the skills humanity has cultivated while seeking early nourishment. What motivation could possibly exist to pursue algae? If she sacrifices hot dogs, will she also abandon the swim team and spend her days blissfully photosynthesizing on the couch?
Pearle Nerenberg, a sports dietitian and author, regularly works with elite and aspiring athletes, focusing on performance enhancement. She asserts that adopting a vegan diet can coexist with an active lifestyle.
When I inquired with Nerenberg about how I should approach my daughter’s new eco-conscious lifestyle, she ironically responded, “Don’t shy away from it. Embrace the culinary adventure. This will demonstrate your interest in what she’s doing.”
Isn’t that what I’ve always desired for my children? To inspire them to cultivate their own beliefs, explore their passions, and celebrate their individuality.
It seems I’m finally reaping the fruits of my efforts.
If adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet allows for more quality time with my daughter, does it truly matter if chickpeas replace chicken? Beyond that bowl of legumes, everything else is merely gravy.
