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From:	ellie (204.211.2.254)
Subject:	some resources
Date:	June 24, 2008 at 6:52 am PST

In Reply to: Re: Veggie Daughter posted by Leslie on June 23, 2008 at 9:17 pm:

first, I really want to reassure you that your daughter will not be "missing" a thing - just some synthetic hormones, antibiotics, heavy metals and pesticides used on animal feeds, that sort of thing. She'll be fine without those. She'll also be keeping lots more bone mass without that excess protein, so her risk of osteoporosis will go way down. Even kids actually need much less protein than they usually get, and too much of it is not a good thing. There is protein in nearly all food, as long as it's whole stuff and you eat a variety. Even a plate of broccoli has a full serving of protein!
The key is as much whole unprocessed stuff as she can do, with as much variety in grains, legumes and veggies as possible. Chips and soda may be veg, but they aren't healthy. Cheese is also NOT a good alternative, because it's loaded with all the nasty horrid hormones and junk that's in meat, only even more concentrated. She also does not need all that saturated fat.
Somewhere on the main vegsource board there is a reference to a book called "Raising Vegetarian Children" - excellent resource. check out VegCooking.com, there are sample menus, recipes, shopping guides, and all that stuff is food that the whole family can share and enjoy.
Honestly, she is doing something really good for her health, in addition to being nice to animals. I was 11 when I went vegetarian, 38 years ago. I've been completely vegan for the past 25 years. And I am the only woman in my family not to have had some form of cancer and not to have had to struggle with weight problems - at almost 50 I'm still the same size I was at 17, without ever counting a calorie. My doctor says she routinely starts thinking about statins and antihypertensive drugs for most patients 50 and up, but I won't need them. Your daughter is starting young to safeguard her health in adulthood. Just make sure she eats leafy greens for calcium and takes some b12. People ask me, "you dont' eat meat? no dairy? well, what DO you eat?" and I chuckle, because I have so much variety, and they have boring old white food. keep plenty of color - greens, yellow veggies and fruits, reds and purples - and whole grains on the plate, add some beans, nuts and seeds, and then you just don't have to worry about meeting nutritional needs.
good luck! and you and your daughter might both want to come by the Grassroots Veganism board, just to hang out and get information. All ages are welcome there and it's an active and informative baord. You don't have to be completely vegan to be there,either! and Jo, the moderator, is an incredible resource. c'mon down!

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