Is it just a phase girls go through?

Wile we were shopping DD saw some cow hide rugs and was instantly disgusted. She walked around the shops the whole time saying they shouldn't be allowed to do that to cows. Silly me told her that we'd probably eaten the meat from the cows. Now she's told us she is vegetarian and flat out refuses to eat meat of any kind and even eggs because she can't get the image of these cow hide rugs out of her mind.

I can't figure out whether this is just a phase that she'll eventually get out of, I know lots of teen girls who go/have gone through vegetarian phases but DD seems quite determined not to eat meat ever again. Do I nurture it and make her vego meals or just dish her up meat and hope she eats it? I don't want to force it down her throat or anythign lol.

Also if she is serious what do I supplement for meat to give her all the iron etc that she needs while she's growing?

Hey Tinks,

Hard to say b/c there could be an underlying issue with food in general. Does she seem concerned about her body image at all? I am only asking as this could be a way to eat less food.....happened to my gf sister and she unfortunately battles bulimia. Otherwise, it could be what a close friend of her believes and she is being influenced somewhat or maybe it truly grosses her out..... I would nuture the vego but take her to the Dr's for some advice in relation to the iron and other vitamin deficiencies she may experience.

No she has no issue with her body image, she was truely grossed out by the cow rugs. She hasn't stopped saying how disgusting they are and worrying about the 'poor cows' since we saw them.

Ok so I turned veg at 15 and stayed veg until 18, moved out of home ate meat again and then went veg again at 21 and have been for 17 years :D So it could be a phase, it might not though. My mum took me to a dietitian and made me understand what I needed to eat for a balanced diet, then she would cook veg for me but I needed to cook veg meals for the entire family twice a week. If I kept this up then she would support me. Funnily enough my mum is now veg too ;)

My reasons had nothing to do with body image - more to do with empathy and humanitarianism - so she could be just a caring, wonderful girl :D

I also was discusted by meat at 13, I saw one of those PETA videos and swore to never eat meat again. But when I moved out of home I realised I needed it so I just started eating it again.
So it could be a phase!

I think teenagers have the "realisation" if that makes sense. My younger SIL went through similar stuff when she was a teen, but it didn't last. Whereas my kids godfather had the realisation as a teen and is still a strict vegetarian and animal rights activist to this day. So it really depends on the person.

Just make sure whatever you do that everyone respects her for her decision, vegie angst as... when vegetarians/vegans are mocked for their choices can lead to the assumption that all meat eaters are this obnoxious or naive. And it creates an unnecessary division. I know for my kids godfather he suffered a lot of flack for his choices from friends and family and it kind of tainted his view of those who ate meat. But he's fine now and I guess it is a lot more socially respected than it was 20 odd years ago.

I'd say this is a great opportunity for her to learn about personal ethics. It's all fine and well to hold a value to be true, but if we really want to 'live it', it takes effort, education and personal accountability. I'd tell her that if she wants to live by this value then she needs to research and understand how to keep a healthy, balanced veg diet and know about the impact on her body if she doesn't keep up iron, protein etc.. And she'll need to learn to cook some basic veg meals as you shouldn't be expected to cook different meals for different members of the family. If she's really serious about it, she'll put in the work. If it's just a phase, she'll revert back to what's easiest - having you cook the standard family meals for her!

Awesome. My daughter did the same...I think Lamb kicked it off for her. I did get a supplement (can't remember which) and explained to her that being veg isn't just about cutting out meat, that she had to increase her nuts, legumes etc.

She went on and off for a few years (ok with me) and now at 18 she eats minimal meat (sometimes she craves it a little), no dairy and is very aware of how foods affect her body.

I eat little to no meat at all myself for the same reasons as Nai.

There's a vegetarian chatter thread - https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ml#post2114440 that has some great recipes and very knowledgable gals posting. My sis is vegan and has been for about 12 years now, we were raised vegetarian and my dad still is vegetarian. I intend to raise my children vegetarian as well but also to give them the choice as they get older and can make the decision for themselves.

Vegetarian diet is really simple and if she likes the 'fake meats' that will make it even easier for her/you to create yummy meals :) Good luck with it!