Product Description

When parents choose a vegetarian lifestyle for their child, it can set family fingers wagging in dietary disapproval. It's no easier on steak-loving parents when Junior announces he's sworn off meat. With the strategies in Raising Vegetarian Children, parents can ease family tensions and learn to accommodate the nutritional and emotional needs of their vegetarian offspring.

It includes a detailed explanation of the Vegetarian Food Pyramid and its vitamin- and protein-rich foods, allays concerns over dietary gaps, and is packed with recipes that will please any growing vegetarian, from infant to teenager.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4402 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 300 pages

From the Back Cover

Responsible, compassionate guidance and sound nutritional advice for parents of vegetarian kids

"A must-have for anyone who understands that how we feed our children says a lot about who they will become."
--John Robbins, author of the bestsellers Diet for a New America and The Food Revolution

"Ultimate guide for fit, healthy families . . . required reading for every parent--whether vegetarian or not!"
--Jay Gordon, M.D., FAAP, pediatrician and author of Good Food Today, Great Kids Tomorrow

Vegetarianism is more than just a dietary decision; it's a lifestyle choice. But establishing that lifestyle within the bounds of ever-changing family dynamics can be a challenge. Perhaps you're a new parent concerned about imposing your vegetarian lifestyle on your baby, or you may be the head of a meat-eating family confused by your child's recent decision to become a vegetarian. With the compassionate, authoritative advice in Raising Vegetarian Children, every parent--regardless of his or her dietary preference--will discover how to achieve healthy harmony in a vegetarian household.

With nutrient-rich recipes for everything from breads to spreads, enticing entrées to delectable desserts, you'll meet and even exceed your child's dietary requirements. These veggie meals will smooth an infant's transition to solid foods or soothe the most finicky teen palate. In addition to nutritional needs, you'll learn to address the social and emotional aspects of vegetarianism, including:

• Helping your child cope with pressure to conform to a standard diet
• Ensuring that school officials, caregivers, and relatives abide by your child's dietary wishes
• Dining out in nonvegetarian restaurants and celebrating traditional, meat-eating holidays

About the Author

Joanne Stepaniak, M.S. Ed., is the author of The Vegan Sourcebook, Being Vegan, and nine other vegetarian cookbooks.

Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D., is a registered dietitian and the coauthor of Becoming Vegetarian, Cooking Vegetarian, and Becoming Vegan.

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Customer Reviews

I use it every day!
As a vegan, and a mom, it's important to me to pay careful attention to my children's nutritional needs. This book is FULL of great information and meal ideas. I have learned TONS from reading it, and it has earned a place on my kitchen counter! :c)

A must-have for all vegetarian parents or parents of vegetarian kiddos.

P.S. You MUST try the FlaxJacks- they are to *die* for! :c)

The definitive guide to raising vegetarian and vegan kids
Joanne Stepaniak and Vesanto Melina have created a much needed resource to serve parents and families, caregivers, and medical practitioners alike. After a thorough introduction discussing all aspects of vegetarian food and life choices (emotional, community, and psychological), the authors give a sound nutritional introduction. They then offer advice chronologically, beginning with nutrition for breastfeeding moms and continuing through introducing solids and feeding picky teens. The authors take a very down-to-earth approach, offering advice for parents of kids who are feeling alienated, or who want to eat meat away from home.

Each stage of life has different nutritional concerns. Stepaniak and Melina address the stages with age-specific menu plans using recipes from Part 3 of the book. The authors begin Part 3 by giving some helpful cooking recommendations for new or aspiring "healthy" cooks. There are many easy-to-prepare, kid-friendly recipes, replicating non-vegetarian favorites. Not all recipes have a 100% whole foods approach, and some include ingredients like "veggie dogs" or "veggie meats." The recipes range from beverages and breakfasts to snacks and entrees. All of the recipes include nutritional information, even the desserts. The book also has a very well organized index that makes it easy to pick up and find a piece of useful information. Raising Vegetarian Children ends with a large resource guide and bibliography, so those who want to dig deeper also know where to go.-- Reviewed by Amy O'Neill Houck

An excellent, much needed resource!
Joanne Stepaniak and Vesanto Melina have created a much needed resource to serve parents and families, caregivers, and medical practitioners alike. After a thorough introduction discussing all aspects of vegetarian food and life choices (emotional, community, and psychological), the authors give a sound nutritional introduction. They then offer advice chronologically, beginning with nutrition for breastfeeding moms and continuing through introducing solids and feeding picky teens. The authors take a very down-to-earth approach, offering advice for parents of kids who are feeling alienated, or who want to eat meat away from home.

Each stage of life has different nutritional concerns. Stepaniak and Melina address the stages with age-specific menu plans using recipes from Part 3 of the book. The authors begin Part 3 by giving some helpful cooking recommendations for new or aspiring �healthy� cooks. There are many easy-to-prepare, kid-friendly recipes, replicating non-vegetarian favorites. Not all recipes have a 100% whole foods approach, and some include ingredients like "veggie dogs" or "veggie meats." The recipes range from beverages and breakfasts to snacks and entrees. All of the recipes include nutritional information, even the desserts. The book also has a very well organized index that makes it easy to pick up and find a piece of useful information. Raising Vegetarian Children ends with a large resource guide and bibliography, so those who want to dig deeper also know where to go.--Reviewed by Amy O'Neill Houck