Conference moira::parenting

    We are exactly the same as you in terms of eating. We do not eat red
    meat, extremely occasionally we will buy goat meat (mutton). We eat
    chicken and fish. Our daughter loves fish but our son does not. He
    loves hamburgers. He eats cheeseburgers at McDonald's or I grill one
    for him over the weekends. We are not buying red meat as part of weekly
    grocery shopping nor are we barring them from McDs. We do eat a lot of
    lentils, so we do get a lot of proteins. We do not like the fat content
    in red meat. 
    
    Shaila

    
    I don't see why you should feel the need to feed your daughter red
    meat. With the chicken and fish she's getting plenty of protein. I
    would check with the pediatrician if she would need a supplement for
    iron, unless of course she's eating veggies that supply iron.
    
    Patty

    
    My daughter loves her veggies (all the colors) and eats tuna and other 
    fish and does eat chicken - so I'm not concerned with her health, 
    getting enough protein, etc.  She gets alot of protein from cottage 
    cheese, yogurt, etc.
    
    I guess if we are somewhere other than home, I won't make her "pass up" 
    meat, but I don't think I will buy it just she can have some each week.
    
    
    
    

    If they are healthy don't worry.  I think there is a book out on
    raising veggie kids in a meat eating world, although the title escapes
    me.  My problem has been the fact that our kids don't get unclabbered
    milk because of a family lactose intolerance.  Some people act as if I
    am intentionally compromising my kids nutrition.  They haven't had the
    "privilege" of staying up all night with a child with severe gas pains
    and diarreah because someone wanted to make sure I wasn't starving them
    to death.    

We're vegetarians, and have brought Elspeth up as a vegetarian, too.  After all,
why would we feed her something that we not only don't eat ourselves, but don't
believe in eating?

The only problem it's ever caused is that Lynne and I can be flexible when
necessary (we werent always vegetarian, and are willing to indulge in meat if
that's all that's available); but Elspeth, having been brought up as a
non-meat-eater, won't even touch most meat.  (She's just recently become willing
to eat some kinds of seafood.)

But, if you don't eat meat, I can't imagine why you would want to go out of your
to feed it to your child.

	-Neil

	Not eating alot of red meat is a good thing to teach a child.
	If they learn to eat healthy now, they will hopefully continue
	throughout life eating healthy.  I only serve red meat once
	a week or so and usually it is ground beef (90% lean) as part
	of a casserole.  I do have to serve steak once a month to
	appease my steak loving husband (I do enjoy it too).

	I see nothing wrong with offering her red meat on occasion.  
	I don't mean that you should buy it, but if you are having 
	dinner at friends and red meat is being served, let her try it!  

	Karen

    My household is quite split - I'm a vegetarian, my husband is a
    meat-and-potatoes type.  Our son eats whatever appeals to him.  When I
    cook for the family, he has a wide range of choices. He's not a great
    eater anyway, so trying to force him to eat one way of the other is
    only going to frustrate us both : )  When given his choice, he always
    asks for some form of pasta.  
    BTW, he's 4.75, and has ALWAYS been a light eater.
    Sarah 

    Don't worry about it.  I've been a vegie most of my adult life and my
    wife since we've been married.  All three of my kids (2, 5 & 7) have
    never had any red meat, pork or chicken although the oldest does eat
    turkey occasionaly.  They're all very healthy, play hard and
    participate in dance, swimming and gymnastics.
    
    There are plenty of other foods available that'll provide all the
    protein and other nutrients that are found in meat.  I should note that
    we do eat fish and the kids are particularly fond of tuna and
    McDonald's fish sandwiches.
    
    					John G.

    
    We've cut out red meat from our meals for a
    few years now. Occasionally, when we have 
    company for a BBQ, I'll get some for the red 
    meat eating friends. We have also cut down on 
    meat consumption in general. I serve small
    portions of chicken and seafood 3 - 4 times
    a week. All the others meals are meatless,
    mainly veggie with pastas and veggie stry fry 
    with rice dishes.
    My daughter doesn't like red meat. She is 9 now 
    and has been living on chicken, seafood and 
    dairy products as far as protein sources go. 
    She takes a daily multi-supplement because I don't 
    want to "dictate" her lunch selection at school.
    I "think" she makes good choices most of the time,
    because she is conditioned to eat healthy food.
    But then, if she goes nuts on potato chips
    one day, she'll be saved by the supplements ;-).
    
    Eva