More processed vegan food vs. less processed omnivore food

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would encourage vegetarian over vegan. Plenty of substitutes and don't forget things like tofu, chickpeas and other protein sources.

What do you know that the medical doctors who are members of the PCRM don’t know?

Meat, fish, dairy and eggs are not required for optimal human health, at any stage of life.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-parents-need-to-know-about-a-vegan-diet-2020010718625

https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegan-diets-optimal-growth-children

https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/fruits-and-vegetables-improve-adhd-symptoms-children

https://www.pcrm.org/news/exam-room-podcast/raising-vegan-kid

I am vegetarian. No, you don’t need any of it but a lot of the vegan substitutions are heavily processed like fake cheese and butter. That’s a no for me.

Agree. I would not encourage him, as a young teen entering a huge growth phase, to be vegan. Having him get enough protein and calories on a vegan diet- without substituting and relying heavily on processed substitutions, would be a monumental task. I highly doubt he is going to be making his own cashew milk, rolling out his own nut butter energy balls, and pressing his own black bean and quinoa burgers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would encourage vegetarian over vegan. Plenty of substitutes and don't forget things like tofu, chickpeas and other protein sources.

What do you know that the medical doctors who are members of the PCRM don’t know?

Meat, fish, dairy and eggs are not required for optimal human health, at any stage of life.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-parents-need-to-know-about-a-vegan-diet-2020010718625

https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegan-diets-optimal-growth-children

https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/fruits-and-vegetables-improve-adhd-symptoms-children

https://www.pcrm.org/news/exam-room-podcast/raising-vegan-kid

If we're talking about an adolescent, not a child, and your point is that it's good for all ages, why are all your links about children? That's about as relevant as if you posted links about the elderly?

That's a stupid statement, poster.

Children at all stages require nutritious, high *healthy* calorie diets for optimal growth. The previous links I posted to athletes who follow a vegan diet are entirely applicable - there is no way that OP's teenaged son wouldn't thrive on the same diet that the Williams sisters have followed to fuel their record breaking tennis careers, nor that the many male athletes follow to fuel theirs. And if you'd bothered reading the links at any length, you'd have seen that many of the athletes GREW UP VEGAN, through ALL STAGES OF CHILDHOOD.

You are just anti-vegan, admit it. Or you are arrogant enough to presume you know better than nutritionists and medical doctors who do nutrition for a living.

I am not anti vegan, but I am an athlete. It is really hard to get the protein and calories that you need from a vegan diet. It's hard! I know it's not impossible. In most of the blue zones, people eat meat. They don't eat as much meat as we do, but they do eat meat. Fish is another option for the protein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would encourage vegetarian over vegan. Plenty of substitutes and don't forget things like tofu, chickpeas and other protein sources.

What do you know that the medical doctors who are members of the PCRM don’t know?

Meat, fish, dairy and eggs are not required for optimal human health, at any stage of life.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-parents-need-to-know-about-a-vegan-diet-2020010718625

https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegan-diets-optimal-growth-children

https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/fruits-and-vegetables-improve-adhd-symptoms-children

https://www.pcrm.org/news/exam-room-podcast/raising-vegan-kid

I am vegetarian. No, you don’t need any of it but a lot of the vegan substitutions are heavily processed like fake cheese and butter. That’s a no for me.

Agree. I would not encourage him, as a young teen entering a huge growth phase, to be vegan. Having him get enough protein and calories on a vegan diet- without substituting and relying heavily on processed substitutions, would be a monumental task. I highly doubt he is going to be making his own cashew milk, rolling out his own nut butter energy balls, and pressing his own black bean and quinoa burgers.

As the parent of a teen vegetarian this is a big part of the issue. It’s a perfectly admirable thing to do but requires some commitment to cooking/food prep to do it right.

[Anonymous]

I would share your concerns OP. It is possible to be very healthy being vegan, but it is difficult. And I know people who relied a lot on processed food, and whose doctors suggested they add some non-vegan food back in.

I agree with the pp who suggested your kid at least start with just a vegetarian diet. See how that goes. Maybe try for a certain number of vegan meals a week. Let them see if they find it difficult and how they feel - before going to total vegan.

[Anonymous]

Vegan and vegetarianism is all fine - SO LONG as your child is willing to try and eat a variety of foods. Unusual grains and lots of green leafy vegetables and beans. If they just don't want to eat meat, it would be better to keep the eggs and dairy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vegan and vegetarianism is all fine - SO LONG as your child is willing to try and eat a variety of foods. Unusual grains and lots of green leafy vegetables and beans. If they just don't want to eat meat, it would be better to keep the eggs and dairy.

My kid will eat anything. But, between school and sports he's away from home a lot, hence my worry about the quality of what's available to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vegan and vegetarianism is all fine - SO LONG as your child is willing to try and eat a variety of foods. Unusual grains and lots of green leafy vegetables and beans. If they just don't want to eat meat, it would be better to keep the eggs and dairy.

No, it really isn't fine. Don't throw that out there. It's really really hard and even then it's not healthy.

Athletes cannot sustain a vegan diet. Not long term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not really into bodybuilding, but you can’t argue with the results: https://www.greatveganathletes.com/athletes/sport/bodybuilders/

Vegan athletes: https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/features/vegan-athletes-plant-based-diet/

https://vegnews.com/vegan-health-wellness/vegan-athletes-top-of-their-game

This article has diet guidelines followed by the athletes: https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/what-7-elite-vegan-athletes-eat-get-and-stay-ultra-jacked

Vegan diets can be perfectly healthy for all stages of life. There are many people growing up vegan these days, and very healthy for it. But it’s not anything new - in the Blue Zones where longevity is well above the average, people have been eating a vegan diet for centuries - without calling it vegan. They just didn’t have access to meat and dairy.

There is a ton of protein available in plant foods, and your son can get tons of calories from whole grains and legumes and fruits and vegetables and nuts (assuming he is not allergic).

There are tons of resources online to help. The Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine promotes a whole foods plant based diet, preferably eschewing animal products which are linked to diabetes because of the way saturated fats operate in the body. PCRM has a great podcast called The Exam Room which has great episodes with tons of information about healthy vegan nutrition. They promote real food over processed meat substitutes.

Look for books from Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and Dr Neal Barnard to guide your son in following a healthy vegan lifestyle.

Absolutely he can grow and thrive as a vegan, and he will be doing great things not only for his own long term health and longevity but also for the health of the planet!

Athletes don't stay vegan for more than a couple years. If you follow anyone long term, you would see that. It just doesn't work.

Are you this dumb about all topics or just this one?

I guess you don't follow any athletes. That's okay but you shouldn't ignore those who do.

[Anonymous]

I think the sweet spot is in the middle as a vegetarian. I do have a friend who is vegan and a semi professional athlete, so it certainly is possible, but sounds difficult with the choices at your son’s school. Your doctor may be able to write a note for him to bring food from home that suits his diet, I did that for my (vegetarian) son.

[Anonymous]

My kids are vegan and very hearty eaters. I stay away from protein powders - instead we eat lots of tofu, tempeh, butlers soy curls, edamame, peas, beans, nuts, brown rice, etc.
For us, it’s been the best option and keeps them healthy and full of energy. When they eat junk - they feel like junk. We avoid processed foods or use them sparingly. It works for us. I’d recommend happy herbivore or forks over knives recipes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would encourage vegetarian over vegan. Plenty of substitutes and don't forget things like tofu, chickpeas and other protein sources.

What do you know that the medical doctors who are members of the PCRM don’t know?

Meat, fish, dairy and eggs are not required for optimal human health, at any stage of life.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-parents-need-to-know-about-a-vegan-diet-2020010718625

https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/vegan-diets-optimal-growth-children

https://www.pcrm.org/news/health-nutrition/fruits-and-vegetables-improve-adhd-symptoms-children

https://www.pcrm.org/news/exam-room-podcast/raising-vegan-kid

I am vegetarian. No, you don’t need any of it but a lot of the vegan substitutions are heavily processed like fake cheese and butter. That’s a no for me.

Agree. I would not encourage him, as a young teen entering a huge growth phase, to be vegan. Having him get enough protein and calories on a vegan diet- without substituting and relying heavily on processed substitutions, would be a monumental task. I highly doubt he is going to be making his own cashew milk, rolling out his own nut butter energy balls, and pressing his own black bean and quinoa burgers.

This. Posters, including the well-informed one with all the links, are ignoring the enormous amount of work (and shopping) necessary to consume a diet that is :

100% vegan
Varied
Whole foods only
Tasty and interesting enough to continue

OP are you a SAHM parent? It would otherwise be pretty difficult to make two breakfasts, two dinners, pack copious amounts afternoon snacks to make up for rejected school lunch before sports practice….

Unless the whole family will be vegan?

I’m not saying don’t do it. I am telling you it’s a lot of work to get it right. The only periods where I have been a vegan without relying on processed food were periods of unemployment (SAHM) or when I had a chef at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are vegan and very hearty eaters. I stay away from protein powders - instead we eat lots of tofu, tempeh, butlers soy curls, edamame, peas, beans, nuts, brown rice, etc.
For us, it’s been the best option and keeps them healthy and full of energy. When they eat junk - they feel like junk. We avoid processed foods or use them sparingly. It works for us. I’d recommend happy herbivore or forks over knives recipes.

Your kids are 3 and 4, right?

[Anonymous]

Processed by a cow or chicken is still processed

[Anonymous]

Vegan festival in Chevy Chase today

https://planetseriesevents.org/maryland/

[Anonymous]

Fake meat is so bad for you. So processed and so many chemical to make it look like meat. It’s gross and not healthy.

Just eat lots of beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Got vegetarian instead. Why vegan?