You can be a kid and eat vegetarian - and be healthy

I have been a vegetarian for almost 25 years and have been raising my 6-year-old son as a vegetarian since birth. He is happy, healthy, and growing. I am so happy to hear about this report--and to see that it's getting media attention--not so much for my own benefit (because I've known for years that a vegetarian diet can be healthy for children and adults), but for my parents, in-laws, and their friends, older folks who still (perhaps behind my back) whisper that I'm somehow depriving my child.

Evolution and our genetics show we're designed to eat meat. In fact, it's believed we had to evolve to be able to even eat vegetables. The noted health benefits between a vegetarian and carnivore is more about moderation and awareness, than about eating meat. Vegetarians tend to be aware of their diet and exercise, therefore are more health, but no more healthy than a meat eater that watches their diet and exercise. In males, it is virtually impossible to be an athlete without eating meat. Nothing against vegetarianism but there is no objective research that says quality meat when eaten in a balanced diet is dangerous.

I've been vegetarian for over 23 years. I eat mostly raw vegan and definitely support the raw vegan lifestyle.

Soy is one of the worst products one can possibly put in their bodies, especially to the extent we in America do. It's amazing how we can take something that, in small quantities can be beneficial yet, in large quantities will through off the body and so many support eating it for "protein". Please look at this for some clarity on soy and how Asians use it. I think you'll find it to be much different than how Americans ingest it ~ http://bit.ly/KPYuA.

As far a protein needs go, IF one is eating a "healthy" vegetarian/vegan diet meaning based on real food ~ not the junk food diet many vegetarians tend to eat ~ packaged, bottled, canned ~ in other words, dead ~ and instead eat fruits, vegetables, GREENS, nuts and seeds, there is NO WAY one can be protein deficient. We have been brain-washed by the meat/dairy industry to eat waaaaay more protein than we'll EVER use which is causing many of our health issues today including osteoporosis, many kinds of cancer, arthritis, etc. I doubt anyone reading this can name one person who has died from lack of protein but they can name MANY who have died from dis-ease caused by excess protein. (even though few will admit that was the cause).

I heard no one mention greens as a good source of nutrients. Many studies have been done on greens including a few by Russian researcher Victoria Boutenko who helped heal her family from numerous diseases following a raw vegan diet.

In response to Kyle who says: "it is virtually impossible to be an athlete without eating meat", you might wish to check out these vegan athletes:
(google) Tim VanOrden of the Running Raw Project: Storm Talifero of TheGardenDiet.com' Brendan Brazier; Tonya Kay; Dr. Doug Graham; Bill Pearl (VERY well known vegetarian bodybuilder); and then go to YouTube and look up Zenkahuna. EVERYONE in his vids are vegetarian if not vegan.

Revvell

I've found it usually somewhat of a waste of time to listen to 'dieticians' rather than nutritionists. Indeed this woman, who wasn't wrong necessarily about what she said, was vague in answer to the first question about what to eat, saying people shod eat healthfully and consult a dietician(!).

Most questions about what foods 'vegans' (which wasn't defined; I never know the boundaries of this word which just sounds precious and distant to me) should eat to make up for what needs the absence of meat leaves us with were not satisfactorily dealt with.

The phrases, 'eat healthfully' or 'nutritionally' and 'junk food' were not adequately defined. If people already know what these words mean there is little point to this show. Most people, I think, are not aware of how bad (not to mention unnecessarily expensive) some so-called foods are for their bodies. They don't know how potato chips, with their loads of fat, chemicsls and salt, are for their children's bodies -- AND for their ability to focus and be eager, curious participants in learning and all aspects of their lives. This goes for any processed food with sugar in it and anything with white, not whole grain, flour.

Non-animal proteins were not itemized. (The dietician was frustratingly withholding, as if her aim was not to teach but to sell her services.) 'Dried beans' is typically useless for most busy people who have never had a cooking class and just grab anything that grabs them from the shelves. Lentils, canned wild fish, canned soups which contain beans of any kind (and no chemicals or pasta), combinations of beans and brown rice (which make a more complete protein when combined; a la 'Diet for a Small Planet'), free-range eggs, cheese, can make up for meat proteins.

And vitamin B 12, which indeed needs to be added to diet when meat is absent, is needed not 'in minute amounts' but in pills as high as 5000 micromilligrams (5 mg); getting sublingual pills and melting them under the tongue where is good absorption, seems extra efficient; the expense should be considered just basic to one's health.

There is much more. There are nutritionists who are knowledgeable and willing to teach: to actually itemize the foods which are important to eat ( with some clues as to how to prepare them -- deliciously!) and those foods which are important to avoid (!), except for once a month or something.

The Native North Americans had to eat meat to survive the winter. Corn and peas dont grow in the snow. The Inuits are not going to get too far with a field of wheat in the middle of an icefield. Also many primates eat insects or small game they can catch or even scavenge, and they are our very close cousins. We still have (small) canines. Maybe someday in a few thousand millenia we will no longer have them and be instead herbivores, but not yet. Different bodies really do have different nutritional needs wether because of genetics or lifestyle. My 15 year old daughter went vegetarian 3 years ago and I was VERY worried because I wasnt sure she would eat a balanced enough diet, but she is fine. I make sure she gets her multi with B12 every morning. But tell me, where does the B12 for her multi come from if it is so near-impossible to get it from plant sources...? My son eats meat.
I also buy cage free eggs, organic milk and veggies. The treatment of livestock is deplorable! I agree whole-heartedly! And Americans do eat too much meat, but instead of asking people who are 'set in there ways' to do the impossible and give it up, perhaps there should be a push to make compassionately raised livestock more accessible to the average person. A little lower cost, legislation to enforce Humane treatment, shoot, close all the factories and create farms instead. It will raise the price of the meat , but then people will eat less, right?
Just a couple things to think on...cheers

Meatless Mondays
I agree that everything should be in moderation. The American diet includes too much meat. Not only is it unhealthy for our bodies, it is bad for the earth. I liked a comment I heard during this broadcast that you don't have to look at vegetarianism as either/or (or logically as a false dilemna: eat meat or never eat it). We could all benefit just by eliminating meat from our diet one day a week. This gives many people an opportunity to experience vegetable cuisine without feeling deprived. So, let's start a campaign for meatless Mondays (and then go from there).