Help! Dd watched some of Food Inc., and is now freaking out!

[iamme]

She's a young teen and I thought she could handle it. Nope. She's freaking out and refusing to eat much. I should say that she actually had nightmares last night. We've talked and talked to her about E Coli, the horrid conditions that animals are raised and slaughtered under, how food=money, how political our food industry is,etc..
She can't get past the images(and personally, I thought it was "light" on the realities of animal cruelty and the conditions under which animals are raised and slaughtered).

I'm not sure what I need. Maybe some book recs that will gently educate her w/o freaking her out. I was thinking Chew On This??

Feeling like a pretty bad momma.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

Oh no! I would imagine that once the initial shock has worn off that she will be able to not be quite so affected by it. With it getting to be springtime, maybe take her to a farmer's market or a local farm that lets you visit so that she can learn about non-factory farms and such.

[dogretro]

Originally Posted by Evie's Mama

With it getting to be springtime, maybe take her to a farmer's market or a local farm that lets you visit so that she can learn about non-factory farms and such.

That sounds like a great idea! I know that, for me, when I read about something disturbing, like Mad Cow, it really helps me to know that there ARE safer alternatives such as grass-fed beef and veggies. Diseases like E. Coli are a fact of life & CAN come from any number of sources, but knowing that you have at least SOME form of control, via where your food comes from, is very empowering and calming. Do you have room to grow a garden this year? Or space for a container garden?

[Ornery]

As a young girl (around age 7) I read Diet for a Small Planet and a couple of other books about the meat industry. I haven't seen Food Inc but I know I was traumatized from the pictures and stories in those books. I immediately stopped eating meat and had nightmares for months afterwards. I didn't eat meat for a very long time, and even now my stomach can't handle red meat.

I think pp ideas of taking her to a non factory farm would be great, as long as they are humane. Depending on her age, I might encourage her to do something about it if she feels so inclined. I started a club at my grade school to prevent animal abuse and it was a great experience.

[iamme]

Originally Posted by Evie's Mama

Oh no! I would imagine that once the initial shock has worn off that she will be able to not be quite so affected by it. With it getting to be springtime, maybe take her to a farmer's market or a local farm that lets you visit so that she can learn about non-factory farms and such.

Originally Posted by dogretro

That sounds like a great idea! I know that, for me, when I read about something disturbing, like Mad Cow, it really helps me to know that there ARE safer alternatives such as grass-fed beef and veggies. Diseases like E. Coli are a fact of life & CAN come from any number of sources, but knowing that you have at least SOME form of control, via where your food comes from, is very empowering and calming. Do you have room to grow a garden this year? Or space for a container garden?

Originally Posted by Eclipse95

As a young girl (around age 7) I read Diet for a Small Planet and a couple of other books about the meat industry. I haven't seen Food Inc but I know I was traumatized from the pictures and stories in those books. I immediately stopped eating meat and had nightmares for months afterwards. I didn't eat meat for a very long time, and even now my stomach can't handle red meat.

I think pp ideas of taking her to a non factory farm would be great, as long as they are humane. Depending on her age, I might encourage her to do something about it if she feels so inclined. I started a club at my grade school to prevent animal abuse and it was a great experience.

I forgot I posted this!! I'm so sorry! Thank you for replying.....

She is 13, very, very bright and sensitive. She also has a helluva genetic makeup(if you belive in that school of thought...) and i feel pressure to instill in her the realities of our food industry-thus the viewing.

I am happy to report, that she has finished Chew On This (gentler version of FAST FOOD NATION) and has turned her back on fast food.

She has also set some goals for herself, and one of those is to watch Food Inc., all the way to the finish line by the end of summer!

We have a scheduled field trip to the farm where we've gotten our ground beef, too.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and advice.

[claddaghmom]

My sister did this when she was little and instantly went vegetarian. It reminds me of the South Park episode where Stan tries to save the little animals from becoming veal.

Maybe get her involved in some form of volunteering or educating? Maybe that will help her process it.

[Malva]

There is also a Young Readers Edition of The Omnivore's Dilemma she may like to read.

[listipton]

if she decides to go veggie, she might enjoy the newer Alicia Silverstone book, The Kind Diet
http://www.google.com/products/catal...wAg#ps-sellers

I am not a vegetarian (We strive for Primal), however, I really enjoyed parts of her book.