Navigating a Vegetarian Lifestyle While Raising a Meat-Eating Child: Our Approach

My first attempt at vegetarianism lasted only a week. As a teenager, I announced my decision to quit meat, and my mom responded without much fuss, saying she wouldn’t be making special meals for me. I quickly abandoned the idea and returned to whatever she served.

If you had asked me over the years whether I would try vegetarianism again, I would have likely said no, given my love for cheeseburgers during my college days. However, about four years ago, I made the choice to stop eating meat and poultry. My motivations were primarily linked to climate concerns, but I found that I genuinely enjoyed a plant-based lifestyle, and my partner did as well. Eating mostly vegetarian has helped us consume more vegetables and led to an overall healthier diet. I’ve also expanded my culinary skills, exploring cuisines from India, Thailand, and Japan. Plus, I never wake up regretting a greasy burger I had at a barbecue. Nevertheless, my son, even at just 2 ½ years old, was a passionate meat lover.

When I decided to embrace a vegetarian diet, I didn’t want to deprive my child of something he enjoyed. Yet, like my mother before me, I wanted to avoid the hassle of preparing two separate meals every night. Here’s how we strike a balance.

Our Meal Strategy

In our home, breakfast and dinner are always vegetarian. For lunch, my son is at school, so we don’t eat together. Most days, he enjoys the school lunch, which includes meat three to four days a week. I also prepare meat for his packed lunches but am careful to choose options like frozen chicken nuggets instead of perishables that might spoil, such as sliced turkey. I try to prioritize more sustainable options, like turkey meatballs over beef, and I generally avoid buying raw meat since I’m no longer inclined to cook it.

When we dine out or order takeout, my son is free to choose whatever he desires—steak, burgers, chicken fingers—provided we won’t waste half of it. Likewise, during visits to Grandma’s or friends’ houses, he can enjoy all the bacon available. At restaurants where we share plates, like our favorite Indian or Thai places, we typically opt for all-vegetarian dishes that the family can enjoy. However, if he craves chicken tikka masala, I’ll order it and save the leftovers for lunch the next day.

Discussing Dietary Choices

When my son inquires about my dietary choices, I try to explain it in a way he can understand (like how raising cattle requires a lot of land and resources and how I prefer not to waste!). I’m also careful not to instill guilt regarding his meat consumption. We have friends who are vegetarian for religious reasons, so we’ve discussed that as well. I emphasize that everyone has the freedom to choose what they eat.

Integrating Our Lifestyles

Integrating my dietary choices into our social life has been the most challenging aspect. My mother initially struggled to adapt to my vegetarianism (and even more when my sibling and their partner also stopped eating meat), but over time, she has learned to plan plant-based meals. When dining out, I always offer to bring a dish so the host doesn’t have to adjust their menu.

Interestingly, allowing my son to eat meat has made him more thoughtful about his food choices than if we had insisted he also be vegetarian. Now he views meat as a treat, which is exactly what I hope for him as he grows up and increasingly makes his own choices about food.

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Summary

In this article, Jessica Lane shares her journey of embracing a vegetarian lifestyle while navigating her son’s preference for meat. She discusses how they manage meals together, ensuring her son can enjoy his favorite foods while also respecting her dietary choices. This balance fosters understanding and mindfulness about food choices in their family.