Ways To Learn Vegan Parenting With Advantages In 2023

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Ways To Learn Vegan Parenting With Advantages

Do you know? What Does exactly Vegan Mean? Before starting to write about Vegan Parenting I want to share about veganism and its genuine history.

Definition Of Veganism

Simply Meat and fish are not allowed in vegan and vegetarian diets. Vegan diets, on the other hand, go a step further by eliminating all animal-derived foods. So, in addition to not eating meat, vegans shun dairy products, eggs, and honey. Vegan foods also never contain animal agriculture byproducts like fat, whey, or gelatin.

In comparison to a vegetarian diet, a vegan diet offers numerous benefits. Vegan diets eliminate all forms of exploitation of farm animals, whereas vegetarian diets only lessen it. In comparison to diets that include dairy and eggs, a vegan diet may have health and environmental benefits. We should start Vegan Parenting to go vegan for our child for these reasons.

History Of Veganism

From ancient philosophers to multinational movements, here's a quick rundown of how veganism came to be and the major turning points in the movement's history.

Vegetarianism was first practiced in the Indus Valley in northern and western India around 3300 BCE, with Indian thinkers like Mahavira and rulers following a diet centred on nonviolence toward animals.

Pythagoras of Samos, a Greek philosopher and mathematician, advocated for animal friendliness and ate a vegetarian diet circa 500 BCE. Simultaneously, Siddhartha Gautama (commonly known as the Buddha) was teaching vegetarianism to his disciples, and Hinduism and Jainism were also encouraging animal-free diets.

Fast forward to the nineteenth century, when the vegan movement begins to take shape, with London physician William Lambe claiming that a plant-based diet could treat “everything from tuberculosis to acne.” Sylvester Graham, the creator of the Graham Cracker, popularized the ‘Sylvester Graham's vegetarian Graham diet' in the United States.

Since the 1830s, the term “vegetarian” has been used. Still, the name “vegan” wasn't coined until 1944 by Donald Watson, an English animal rights campaigner who co-founded the Vegan Society in the United Kingdom.

Initially, veganism was defined as a “non-dairy vegetarian,” but by May 1945, the term had come to refer to not consuming any animal-derived products, and the society defined it as “the doctrine that man should live without exploiting animals.” From 1951 onwards, the vegan society defined it as “the doctrine that man should live without exploiting animals.”

Twenty years later, during the American counterculture, a vegetarian food movement centred on a diet, ecology, and growing suspicion of food producers, resulting in an increase in organic farming.

In the 1980s, the diet became associated with straight edge hardcore punk in the United States and anarcho-punk in the United Kingdom, and Denmark hosted the first International Vegan Festival.

On November 1st, 1994, the Vegan Society's then-chair, Louise Wallis, commemorated World Vegan Day on the society's 50th anniversary.

By the time Donald Watson died in 2005, the United Kingdom had 250,000 vegans and the United States had 2 million.

Veganism became common in the 2010s, with the European Parliament establishing the term “vegan” for food labelling, which became law in 2015.

Oktoberfest, which is traditionally a meat-heavy celebration, began providing vegan dishes for the first time in 2013. The following year, Jane Land and Matthew Glover founded Veganuary as a way to promote the diet.

Veganism was becoming increasingly popular among millennials in Hong Kong and China, in addition to the United States. The United Arab Emirates and Australia, along with China, have some of the fastest-growing vegan markets.

As of 2016, Asia Pacific had the highest percentage of vegans at 9%.

The Economist named 2019 to be “the year of the vegan,” and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) produced a summary on how a plant-based diet might help combat climate change.

A UK court determined in 2020 that ethical veganism is a protected belief under the Equality Act 2010, which means employers cannot discriminate against vegans.

Veganism now accounts for about 0.1 percent of the population, with 75,300,000 people following the diet – and the figure is growing.

With the increase of climate change, vegan options in local supermarkets, and people's curiosity, it's no surprise that veganism has built a name for itself, and it doesn't appear that its popularity will wane anytime soon.

7 Important Vegan Parenting Tips

1. Educate Your Children Because Knowledge Is Power

The 1st tip in Vegan Parenting is to educate your children about vegan properly. Raising vegan children in a largely meat-eating world is not only challenging but also irritating. Especially when people challenge your decision to live a plant-based lifestyle, as you and your children have done.

As a result, it's critical to talk to your kids about why you've decided to try Vegan. This way, they'll be well-informed and ready to confidently respond to any queries that may arise.

Consider using educational movies to explain what veganism is and how it might help your students. This will provide them with an objective and detailed description of the vegan lifestyle, allowing them to completely comprehend what it entails.

2. Encourage Your Children To Prepare Their Own Meals

Back to school means establishing a pattern of packing your child's lunch and snacks to help them stay energized and focused throughout the day. While meal planning is easy, involving your children in the selection of their lunches offers them a sense of success and something to look forward to throughout the day.

Your youngster will be more motivated to stay on their plant-based path if you fill your cupboard and fridge with ready-made or pre-packaged vegan food they adore.

3. Introduce Calcium And Plant-Based Milk

Calcium is essential for strong bones, and we accumulate about 45 percent of our bone mass before the age of eight. In the next eight years, another 45 percent will be laid, with the remaining 10 percent in the next ten years. As a result, it's critical that youngsters who follow a vegan diet have enough calcium.

Plant-based milk fortified with calcium and vitamin D (approximately 300mL per day) is a smart choice, and you may also want to add soya yogurts and calcium-rich cereals to your child's diet. Another option is to drink oat or coconut ‘milk,' which are both enriched with calcium (but not all are fortified with vitamin D – so check labels). Rice milk that has been fortified can be used as a primary beverage for children over the age of five.

Spreads made from plants can be utilized. Almonds, calcium-set tofu, beans, and green leafy vegetables are all effective calcium sources that should be included in your child's diet on a regular basis. It's critical for parents to double-check their child's calcium recommendations, as they differ by age.

Children's calcium needs differ depending on their age

Infant

525mg calcium every day for children under the age of 1
350mg calcium per day for children aged 1 to 3 years.
450mg calcium per day for children aged 4 to 6.
550mg calcium per day for children aged 7 to 10.

Adolescents

Females from 11 to 18 years old should take 800 milligrams of calcium every day.
Males from 11 to 18 years old should consume 1000 mg of calcium every day.

4. Don’t Skip Fibre

High-fibre foods are typically quite filling, causing youngsters to get satiated before they've consumed all of the calories and nutrients they require. Avocados, almonds, and dried fruits are nutrient-dense foods that also contain fiber. Remember: encouraging youngsters to wash their teeth after eating dried fruits is a smart way to reduce the risk of tooth decay.

In conclusion, vegan diets can be healthy for children if parents and guardians are knowledgeable about the essential nutrients for growth and development. Furthermore, parents of vegan children must exercise particular caution to ensure that their children are consuming a well-balanced diet and, if necessary, seek professional advice.

5. Raise Vitamin D Awareness

Vitamin D is required for calcium absorption in order to maintain healthy bones and teeth, but it is only available in a small number of foods, with the best source being sunshine absorbed through the skin.

Vegans have a restricted number of dietary options, thus fortified plant-based milk, spreads, and cereals are the best choices. All children aged 1-4 years should take a daily vitamin D supplement comprising 10g, according to the Department of Health. In fact, it is advised that all children aged 6 months to 5 years take vitamin supplements comprising A, C, and D on a daily basis. Check the label before you buy because not all vitamin D pills are safe for vegans.

6. Remember Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is necessary for the development of red blood cells as well as the brain and nervous system. Although vitamin B12 is only found naturally in animal sources, fortified morning cereals and some low-salt yeast extracts, as well as fortified plant milk and soy products, including the vitamin. It's critical to incorporate a variety of foods in your child's diet. If you don't have enough B12, you may need to take a supplement. It's also crucial to have a stable source of iodine, and taking a supplement is usually advised.

7. Don't Skip Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These essential lipids are necessary for brain development and help the brain function at its best. They're also beneficial to your vision and heart.

Chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp, and walnuts are examples of plant sources. Because plant foods aren't the best source of these critical fats, some vegans, notably pregnant and nursing mothers, supplement with omega-3 fatty acids obtained from microalgae.

Share knowledge about Iron: The production of red blood cells requires iron. Pulses (including beans, lentils, and peas), dark green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli, okra, watercress, or spring greens), wholemeal bread and flour, nuts, whole grains, and fortified cereals should all be included in their diet on a regular basis.

Dried fruits like apricots, prunes, and figs are also excellent options. Increase your child's iron intake by mixing an iron-rich diet with a vitamin C-rich dish; try orange segments over fortified breakfast cereal or peppers with lentils in a vegetable stew.

Vegan Parenting Advantages

1. Educates Children On The Importance Of Fruits And Vegetables In Their Diet

With the rising popularity of veganism, there are an increasing number of dishes that emphasize fruits and vegetables. You may have eaten meat in the past, but did you know that you may veganize the meaty dishes you used to enjoy?

Parents who educate their children on a plant-based diet, on the other hand, are ahead of the game because they are already educating their children to be creative when it comes to creating dishes using fruits and vegetables.

Your children will learn that you can prepare delightful plant-based meals, which will encourage them to eat more nutritious foods.

2. Their Carbon Footprint Is Reduced

Meat and dairy consumption contribute to the carbon footprint. When it comes to growing farmstock for factory farms, animals that are bred and sold must be fed grains in order to grow swiftly. Factory farms are overcrowded, and because these animals generate feces on a regular basis, there is a lot of waste.

When you cut meat and dairy products from your diet, you're not just being ethical, but you're also helping to improve the environment. You may teach your children that eating a plant-based diet means releasing fewer hazardous chemicals into the environment and improving the environment for future generations.

3. Vegan Dinners Are Delicious And Inventive

Do you want a burger? Pizza? Pasta? You figured it out! You don't have to give up all of your favorite foods as a vegan. It just means you'll have to get inventive and acquire cruelty-free ingredients. Vegan and vegetarians can now purchase many different types of fake meat and dairy-free items at their local supermarket, as more vegan and vegetarian products are developed.

Your kids will appreciate the cruelty-free version of meals you've made for them because they're vegan and haven't eaten meat before.

Also, if you're too lazy to cook for your family, there are many places that provide vegan options, and much of what you eat at a vegetarian restaurant is vegan. You should double-check everything and call ahead just in case.

If you're a vegan and raising vegan children, you're not only doing them a favour in terms of their health, but you're also making a compassionate and beneficial decision by removing meat and dairy from their diet.

You're not only caring about their health, but you're also giving kids new ways to eat plants, given the rising rates of cruelty in factory farms and the poisonous chemicals created by the mass of farm animals!

4. Assists Them In Making Ethical Decisions

By Vegan Parenting you will be also able to assist your child in making ethical decisions. Veganism is no longer considered a “hippie” or “cool” lifestyle, as more people realize that being vegan also allows them to make more informed and ethical decisions. By removing meat and dairy from your diet, you are not only improving your physical health but are also helping to end animal suffering.

You may explain to your children that animals are companions, not food, even if they don't comprehend it at first. You can take them to a sanctuary farm and demonstrate to them how animals are treated with kindness and how being vegan makes this possible. The kids will have a great time and learn to love all of the creatures.

A Delicious Breakfast Recipe For your Child

Serving delicious vegan food is an important part of Vegan Parenting. Here I’m sharing a delicious breakfast recipe you can try for your child's school tiffin.

Ingredients for 8 servings

2 tablespoons vegan butter, to coat the foil pan

FILLING

Vegan butter- ¾ cup (170 g)
Brown sugar- ¾ cup (165 g)
Ground cinnamon- 2 tablespoons

DOUGH

2 cups almond milk (480 mL), at room temperature
Melted Vegan butter- ½ cup (115 g)
Organic sugar- ¼ cup (50 g)
Flour- 5 ½ cups (690 g)
Salt- 1 teaspoon
1 packet active dry yeast

ICING

Powdered sugar- 1 cup (160 g)
Almond milk- 2 tablespoons
Vanilla extract- ½ teaspoon

Nutrition Info:

Calories- 790
Fat-36g
Carbs- 103g
Fiber- 3g
Sugar- 34g
Protein- 9g

Cooking Process:

Grease two disposable foil pie tins generously with vegan butter.
Combine the almond milk, melted butter, and sugar in a large mixing basin. The mixture should be between 100- and 110-degrees Fahrenheit in temperature (37 and 43 degrees Celsius). Allow cooling slightly if it is too hot.
Sprinkle the yeast over the warm mixture evenly and set aside for 1 minute.
Stir in 5 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt to the milk mixture until barely mixed using a wooden spoon.
Area the bowl in a warm place to rise for 1 hour, covered with a cloth or plastic wrap.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
The dough should have approximately quadrupled in size after 1 hour.
Remove the cloth and add another 12 cups (95g) of flour and salt to the mixture. After completely stirring, pour onto a well-floured surface.
Lightly knead the dough, adding more flour as needed, until it loses its stickiness and does not stick to the surface.
Roll out the dough into a 12-inch (1-centimetre) thick rectangle. Make sure all of the corners are sharp and even.
Evenly spread softened vegan butter over the dough.
Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on top equally.
Form a log out of the dough by rolling it up and pinching the seam shut. Place seam-side down on the table. Any unevenness should be cut down on both ends.
Cut the log in half, then cut each half into seven pieces of equal size. Each one is around 112 inches (8 cm) thick.
Place one cinnamon bun in the center of each cake pan and six around the sides. Wrap in plastic wrap and leave in a warm location for 30 minutes to rise.
Begin making the icing. Whisk together powdered sugar, almond milk, and vanilla in a medium mixing basin until smooth.
Remove the plastic wrap. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Drizzle evenly with icing while still warm.

Conclusion

Making the decision to raise your infant or child as a vegan is a wonderful thing to undertake. Not only will a well-planned and diverse vegan diet provide them with all of the nutrients they require to flourish, but you'll also be protecting the environment for your child's future and future generations. You are amazing, plant-based parents parenting vegan children. Are you planning to start a family as a vegan?

I trust you enjoyed reading the article about Ways To Learn Vegan Parenting With Advantages. Please stay tuned. There are more blog posts to come very shortly.

JeannetteZ

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Ideas? Thoughts? Questions? I would love to hear from you. Would you please leave me your questions, experience, and remarks about this article on Ways To Learn Vegan Parenting With Advantages, in the comments section below? You can also reach me by email at Jeannette@LivingTheVeganLifestyle.org.