Confessions of a Veggie JetSet Mom

It is personal. Today I took the Little Man to his regular baby checkup and I found out that his growth has jumped! He has always been a vegetarian, none of those mystery jarred cat food smelling meat pots for him. On previously visits I expressed concern about his slow (but steady) growth when I was seeing other children grow fast and chubby. The JetSet Doctor took a long hard look at JetSet Dad and I and he let us know there isn't a slim chance he’ll ever be a Yao Ming (yes, we are not much taller than gnomes -it's those pesky genes). However, his recent stellar growth is good news for me because I live in a place that is hostile to the idea of a vegetarian let alone a vegetarian baby.

On Wednesday my neighbor was telling me about how a recent child custody case here in Italy was overturned because the mother was a vegetarian. Turns out the ex-couple’s child would beg his father for meat and McDonalds on his custody weekends. The judge (not a nutritionist or doctor) said that it is unhealthy to have a child not consume meat and that a child should at most be able to make that choice for themselves when they are 18 years of age.

I’m a firm believer in the adage, “If you know better you do better.” Doing better for my child that means that I try to make every meal count. Every meal is nutritious and prepared with the best ingredients possible. Meat has a dirty track record and I don’t want my money or family anywhere near it. I’m not saying going veggie is for everyone but at least getting more vegetables is.

Take a look at some of my Amazon “Veggie Reading” (on the ride side menu bar) for great ways to go vegetarian or even to learn new ways to incorporate more vegetables in your diet for the health of your family and the planet.

For the science:

• The China Study : The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever
• Also take a look at Dr. McDougall's website here
  

For day to day children's menu:

• Raising Vegetarian Children : A Guide to Good Health
• Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family
• New Vegetarian Baby

For recipes that will knock your socks off (vegan style):

• Vegan with a Vengeance
• Also check out the website PPK Kitchen