Vegan Parenting: Nourishing Children for a Heavenly World, Part 2 of 2

The position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is that plant-based diets can nourish children safely and effectively when carefully planned and supplemented. Registered dietitians and nutrition experts, Whitney English and Alexandra Caspero, mention an important principle that complements Sam’s experience: exposure matters just as much as consumption. “Exposure is key. We encourage something that we call food play: Getting kids familiarized with different foods even when they're not at the table. […]”

As children grow up, vegan parents face new questions. To explore how parents can navigate these conversations, we’re joined by Nick Squires, a vegan powerlifter and father, who has firsthand experience raising his daughter on a vegan lifestyle. “We just wanted her to meet some animals, meet the cows and the pigs and, create that bond and have a full understanding (that) you are reaching an age where you can make this decision for yourself. […]”

At an online Raising Vegan Kids event sponsored by the Academy of Animal Justice in Toronto, Canada, nutrition professor, researcher, and chef, Amy Symington (vegan), shares her practical approach to talking with children about being vegan. “We read a ton of books, and we just talk about animals are our friends. Kids get it. They don’t want to eat their friends.”

As a method of support and care, many parents prepare vegan food for their kids to bring along at school events and parties. “So what we’ve learned to do is we bring our own foods where we go. It’s all about preparation.”