Toddler interested in non-veggie food at nursery school

[foodmachine]

Hi! DD, 2 years 9 months, showed interest (once in a year) in non-veggie food at nursery school. They didn't give it to her, but told us about it. We have decided that if she is REALLY interested she can try it since she may not even like it (we hope!) and then be over it. That's what happened with my niece. She's 21 now and only tasted meat once when she was like three.

I just gave them this info today and now I'm all worried. I think fish and meat are dangerous and I protect her from other dangerous things...
but we don't want to create "issues" around food.

Anyone have experience with this?

[wytchywoman]

I have two kids, one eats meat and the other doesn't. What type of meat dish was she interested in? It is was a hot dog I'd say no way and just give here a veggie dog. If it was actual meat, could you provide her with a small sample of meat or fish that is organic, grass fed, etc...? Not the icky meat that you normally find at walmart but something that is high quality that you know won't have a bunch of hormones and chemicals?

[foodmachine]

It was a fish and cheese casserole that attracted her attention first and yesterday it was breaded fish fillets. She ate some broccoli casserole (that's weird actually, since she doesn't usually eat green veggies if she can she them) and then asked for some fish. They gave her a small piece with lots of beans and potatoes and she ate everything. I wish I could say the fish at nursery school was great quality but I'm afraid it's probably not.

I'm with you on the "no" to a hot dog!

Today is total veggie day at nursery so no matter what she chooses I'll be happy .

[citymagnolia]

We raise our kids vegan at home but let them have some dairy and fish if we are eating someplace where it's being offered--usually at my mom's, where I know she makes the best choices available in organic foods. DD1 loves salmon and would eat as much as we put in front of her. I'm with you, I don't want to create an issue over it so I don't forbid anything, but I make it clear that I choose not to spend my money on it.

I've always been very open with them about the reasons why we don't buy or eat animal products. For us it's very much about the treatment of the animals and the environmental issues. We also talk a lot about nutrition and eating "food" vs. "non-food"--the drugs and chemicals that are in so many foods. They are almost 4 and almost 6 and they almost always choose to eat vegan. I love that they explain their choices to people. Have you talked to your daughter about your reasons for choosing vegetarianism? If not, you might find that even at her young age those reasons will resonate with her.

It sounds like you have good communication with her teachers and it sounds like they handled it well by giving her just a little fish and a lot of veggies, so they're being respectful and understanding. It's not the end of the world--or her health!--if she experiments with it it a few times. Maybe she'll try it and then forget about it. And if she likes it and continues to ask for it, you can take it from there. At least she'll try new foods!

[foodmachine]

Thanks for that response City Magnolia. I'm feeling more relaxed. We haven't talked to DD about veggie-ism b/c we literally haven't been anywhere together where meat was on the table. All of our friends, and the family we see the most, are veggie too.
We'll bring it up as soon as she sees it somewhere. I guess I could make a point of showing the meat in the grocery store (yuck!) and telling her about it...
I avoid that aisle!

[citymagnolia]

I envy your veggie community, Foodmachine! The people we eat with are totally accommodating, but it would be nice to have some vegan/vegetarian families to cook and eat with. Left all those guys back in Chicago.

My kids love to pretend they're my nephew and sister-in-law, who eat meat and sometimes drink soda. Half the time at lunch I have to call the food chicken and soda and pretend everything is meat!

[foodmachine]

I have a SIL back in NY who serves my DD cocopuffs for dinner.
DD may ask to move there soon.