Help! Vegetarian Quandry

[Cassidy]

Someone, please help; I am so frustrated I could just scream (in fact, I have ). I have been vegetarian off and on for about 15 years. My latest stint has been about seven years. I have three kids (7, 4, 2) who are vegetarian as well. My husband is veg when he is with us (he eats whatever he wants at work, business dinners, etc). Anyway, I have two huge problems. First, my two older children (who pride themselves on being vegetarian) really don't eat. Especially vegetables. They eat pretty much any fruit you put in front of them and will give grains a chance, but they aren't big on veggies. They ate them all as infants and toddlers, but somewhere along the way, for some reason, they decided that wasn't such a great idea. These kids won't eat carrot sticks or corn. One of them won't even touch a french fry. Occasionally, someone will eat something, but you can't count on them eating it again the next time it is served. Everything is hit-or-miss. My second problem is related to the first. we recently found out that our four-year-old is allergic to wheat and soy. Well, wouldn't you know that they would eat Boca Burgers, soy "chicken" patties/nuggets, Vegetinos, tempeh, Tofu Pups, and soy "cold cuts." Pasta was always a favorite as well. We have found a rice pasta we like with tomato sauce, but it doesn't do well as macaroni& cheese and I am afraid to try it with pesto and veggies. So, as you can see, we have lost most of what we used to eat.

I am beginning to toy with the idea of introducing some meat just because I don't know what else to do. I don't think that, in good conscience, I can let my kids eat cereal for dinner every night they don't have rice pasta or wheat-free pizza. I am so tired of trying to come up with ideas for things to make, spending way too much time and money to make it, only to listen to everyone complain and refuse to eat (and my kids have no problem going to bed without dinner). Plus, my husband is looking for a snak about 20 min. after dinner. in the pre-veg. days I was a really good cook, now I feel like a major "food failure." Unfortunately, I really don't have any desire to eat meat again. I have no clue what to do with myself or my family. Any ideas?

[AmandasMom]

Actually i dont' see any problems with their diets, they sound like they have healthy food habits and eat when hungry and thats it. That's the way it should be, unless they are eating junk food that you didn't mention. Fruit is far healthier then pasta and such, and many many people live on fruit alone. I'm a raw vegan and so is my dd who is 2.5 years old, so I live mostly on fruits with some vegetables thrown in, and some nuts and seeds. Vegetables just dont agree with my system, i dont feel good after eating them, like carrots. High water content vegetables like cucumber and celery are ok, but heavy root vegetables no. I would suggest since they still need calories is to have them eat nuts that don't need to be cooked to be eaten, like walnuts, pecans, almonds. And raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Nuts and seeds that are "roasted" have all of their nutrients killed and aren't worth eating except for taste. The food they are eating is very healthy, fruit is awesome, just add some nuts and seeds. Please don't fret! You don't have a huge problem, they sound like they have the right idea about food.

[michelle1k]

Hi, what a dilemma you have!

Firstly, I wanted to say that picky eating at this age for the 7 -year old and 4 - year old are developmentally on-target. Usually 2 year olds eat just about everything, but the pickiness start later (so if your two yr old is picky it's probably because of seeing and copying older sibs behavior).

As far as cutting out the soy.... I would go back to vegetarian whole-food basics for dinners: hearty legumes (dried peas, lentils (three different kinds: red, brown and indigo/french), beans (incl. garbanzo beans) as the main protein part of the main meal for the day. Serve with a variety of wonderful grains (quinoa - a "complete" protein in itself, different brown rices, polenta (corn grits). Or serve wonderful hearty soups. Or think rich, slowly-simmered stews... hmmm, getting hungry already.

You can even add beans to spelt-pasta salad (add grilled vegetables and vinaigrette - kids might like the taste of smoky grilled veggies). I have a wonderful selection of staples that we cook; two of these are cottage / sheperd's pie (lentil based) and eggplant patties (oats, eggplant, white beans, seasoning, bread crumbs - in your case spelt bread crumbs) - let me know if you want these recipes.

Keep serving those veggies alongside with a healthy raw salad (cucumber, cherry tomatoes, grated carrot, sprouts (you can do these yourself), avocado, different salad leaves, raw baby spinach leaves - top it all with vinaigrette or a dressing made from tahini (sesame seed paste), olive oil, a few drops of expeller-pressed flax seed oil (for those omega-3's!) lemon juice and Braggs liquid aminos (just check if it's soy-based, I'm inclined to think not).

For snacks, I'd suggest a variety of beany-dips (you can turn almost any bean into hummus - including red beans: they make a lovely pink hummus), on rice cakes, or spelt or rice crackers. Corn chips and salsa. Spelt-bread sandwiches / toast with almond butter and fruit-sweetened jelly. Popcorn sprinkled with a mixture of salt, nutritional yeast powder (very high in B-vitamins, also sometimes referred to as Brewer's Yeast), garlic powder and / or onion powder. Almond-, rice- or oat milk fruit smoothies.

And let them eat as much fruit as they want! Some nutritionists would argue that if the fruit is varied enough, this would be an optimal choice over cooked vegetables.

"Nonna's Italian Kitchen" is a wonderful vegan recipe book that has soy-free options for many of her incredibly yummy Italian dishes.

Good luck!

Warmly,
Michelle in NY - vegan mom to two littlies (ds 4) and dd (9 months)

[LavenderMae]

Do your kids like beans? Black bean and rice is a favorite around here. Also fat free refried pinto bean burritos are good. Chick pea curry w/rice is another winner here. Do you eat eggs? We recently started eating organic free-range eggs after not eating eggs for years. Eggs are very versatile. My kids really like them a number of ways. Also nut butters are a good healthy sandwich spread or fruit and veggie dip option. You can put maple syrup or honey in the peanut , cashew or almond butter and it make a good sweet dip for fruit and veggies!!! Have you tried broccoli and cauliflower with a cheese sauce on them a lot of kids will eat them that way?
How about making smoothies for them with a protien powder mixed in, Like Spiritien (sp?) Sorry about my spelling. If you freeze the fruit before you make smoothies you don't have to add ice and it makes a very flavorful smoothie that way!!
Nutritional yeast is also a healthy addition. We put it on popcorn and in eggs. You can make a "cheese" sauce with it that is good on veggies.
If I think of anythig else I'll post it!! I hope my suggestion helps some!!

[Cassidy]

Thanks for the great ideas 9please keep them coming!). Michelle, i would love your recipes. I would also love some cheese sauce recipes. I should have mentioned before that we are also nut-free due to allergies. This, of course , only adds to my concerns about protein now that soy is out of the question. Also, does anyone know if it is true that soy oils/lechithin are OK for people who are soy allergic because they lack the protein that causes the allergy? Heard this somewhere and I'm still trying to verify. Thanks again.

[michelle1k]

recipes

Ok, here they are:

Vegetarian shepherd's pie - Serves 2 - 4

1/2 cup brown lentils
1/4 cup barley
2 cups vegetable stock
1 tsp nutritional yeast
1 large carrot, diced
1/2 onion, chopped finely
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp gravy powder or thickener (I've ommited this sucessfully)
salt and pepper
3 medium potatoes, cooked and mashed

1. Simmer lentils and barley in 1 1/4 cup of stock and yeast for 30 mins.
2. Meanwhile, cook carrots, onion and garlic in remaining stock for 15 mins or until tender
3. Mix gravy powder or thickener w/ a little water and add to carrot mixture, stirring over low heat until thickened.
4. Combine lentils and barley w/ the carrot mixture, season and place in ovenproof dish.
5. Cover with mashed potatoes and bake at 350 F for 30 mins. (I always broil it on High for 3 mins or so to brown it nicely on top). Garnish w/ broiled tomatoes and served w/ a green vegetable in season.

- adapted from "The complete vegetarian cookbook" by Tormont Publishers (it has great whole food recipes)

Eggplant patties (serves 4)

2 lbs eggplant
2 tbsp oil
1 onion, minced
1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, mashed
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
optional: caraway seeds for garnish

1. Peel eggplant and chop very finely. Heat oil and saute garlic and onion - 3 mins.
2. Add eggplant, stir and cover. Cook on medium heat for 10 mins or more till tender.
3. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients.
4. When cooled, shape into patties. Press caraway seeds into tops. Broil of pan-fry 10 mins per side. Serve w/ spicy tomato sauce (or in a pinch, ketchup!), baked potatoes, veggies in season and a crisp salad.

NOTE: unused patties can be wrapped in foil and frozen. Bake in foil (unthawed) at 350 F for 30 mins.

Enjoy!
Michelle

[cathe]

I'm sorry you are having such a frustrating time. I know most of us moms have felt like you on some issue or another.

Please check out his link, it has lots of creative ways to get your family to eat veggies. Hopefully, you'll find one that will work for you. My favorite are the smoothies - you'll be amazed at what you can hide in a smoothie - kale, tofu, protein powder, nutritional yeast flakes, carrots, sweet potatoes - you'd be surprised.

ways to get your family to eat more veggies

I don't think adding meat is the answer to your problems but it sounds like you eat a lot of processed food. Whole grains and legumes would be much healthier. RIce and beans are a great meal - add some salsa and cheese and you have a casserole. Roll in a tortilla (wheat free) and have burrittos. Make soups. If your kids won't eat the veggies in the soup, blend it into a cream soup and they won't see them. Grain burgers are also good, try the recipe on that link. Good luck!

Michelle1k - your recipes look delicious. I will try them.

I'm not sure if you eat eggs but free-range eggs are an excellent source of protein as well as most vitamins and minerals.

[Sneezykids]

Also, does anyone know if it is true that soy oils/lechithin are OK for people who are soy allergic because they lack the protein that causes the allergy? Heard this somewhere and I'm still trying to verify.


Cassidy
I found two articles about the soy and other oils for you, I hope they help some.
~K.


http://www.foodallergy.org/topics_archive/lecithin.html

http://www.foodallergy.org/topics_archive/oils.html

[mama2jonah]

Hi Cassidy, I so understand your dilemma! I just found out that both my kids are highly allergic to a lot of things. It's very hard to feed them at times.

I want to give you a couple of links that have helped me to see the reasons behind my kids allergies, and also helped me realize that everyone is different when it comes to digestion. We all have our own personal optimal diet, and it's different for everyone. You might want to find out what your kids blood types are, that will give you a clue as to what they should be eating.

I hope things improve for you!

www.wholeapproach.com

www.dadamo.com

www.seasilverhealth.com

[morsan]

Sorry I have no experience with picky kids but I think there is some worry if they eat alot of fruit. Modern fruit has ben hyberdized into very high sugar foods, not the way nature intended them to be (wild fruit is actually bitter with very little flesh).
In regards to deciding about meat, it cold help to requestion your choice to raise your family on only plant foods. You may find the information on this website helpful (there is special section on kids nutrition)
www.westonaprice.org

Good luck!

Josefina.