From Vegetarian to Vegan... Health Dilemma....

You support him!!!! Being vegan has amazing health benefits if done correctly. Schedule an appointment with a nutritionist or doctor and go with him. I was vegan and vegetarian for years throughout my teens and twenties. I am now the mother of 3 little ones and six feet tall-I grew plenty!

Can I offer a silver lining? Your son is doing this while a minor, and living in your home, and asking for your support. Better than him doing this a year from now, and not doing it properly.

I know B vitamins can be an issue.

Good luck to you and yours, enjoy his more conscionable lifestyle.

F. B.

I know that you are going to write me off when I say this, but consider just for a moment, that this belief you have that dairy and meat as superior proteins and necessary for a balanced diet are actually messages that have been ingrained in you since childhood. From grade school health class food pyramids to the united dairy cousil paid advertisements, we have bought it hook line and sinker.
The truth is that protein is abundant in plant foods and further, plant based protein is a far superior form of protein than animal protein. I'm not vegan or a strict vegetarian, but I know many people who are and they are absolutely healthy. Our whole society has been brainwashed by the people who create dietary guidelines. FYI, those same people who create dietary guidelines are the same people who advocate for America's meat and dairy industry- a complete conflict of interest! Don't believe me? Look it up yourself.

That said, it takes a lot of dedication to cook vegan. If you aren't feeling up to the task, that does not make you a bad or unsupportive mom. Tell him he needs to take over his own meal prep to some extent, but that you will work with him in leaving out portions that don't have dairy or meat when you can. That you are happy to pick up foods on his shopping list, but he needs to take charge of it for the most part. Learn no cook a couple of vegan dishes the whole family can enjoy, but don't feel obligated to cook him special meals at every meal. In other words, being supportive does not mean you have to be his personal specialty vegan chef.

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to add, this is not rocket science. There are a lot of people here scaring you that this is complicated and you need to be calculating about which amino acids in which proportions and how on earth will he get calcium, and which supplements he will need!!!!!! So long as the foods are plant based, he eats a variety of those foods, it will work out. The only thing you can do wrong vegan is to overdo the sugar in an attempt to make up for loss of flavor and to eat processed foods and white flour like breakfast cereals and bars over real plants.
Here are some of my favorite vegan meals:
fruit smoothies sweetened with dates (berries, banana, orange), add kale, chai seeds, and walnuts.
African Peanut soup: yams, red bell peppers, black beans, kale cooked in broth with aromatics (onions, garlic), curry powder, coconut milk, and peanut - butter.
stir fry: vegetables in teriakki sauce served over brown rice and Quorn "chicken".

So... the only difference is he is now not eating dairy and eggs?
We do not need dairy past infancy, and nothing says we must have eggs.

Are you worried about calcium? There is plenty of calcium in kale, carrots, and organic vegetables. Protein? We can get ALL our protein needs from fresh fruits and vegetables with a bit of nuts thrown in, without even adding in grains like Quinoa, and the legumes (beans)!

I and my kids are allergic to dairy, eggs, and even many grains. No problem. Actually of everything, there is one thing even my doctor doesn't think we should stop eating at least occasionally - fish, or at least, fish oil - although many thrive with the essential fatty acids from walnuts, almonds, coconut, and flax seed oil, as well as eating a minimal amount of avocado. One of my kids is now getting her Master's degree in dietetics/nutrition.

He does need a B12 supplement or get it in the form of a special yeast, but even meat eaters need B12 simply because our soils are so depleted. I was a heavy meat eater at one point in my life, and STILL required a methylated B12 supplement! So "only vegans need B12" is a total myth.

I have a family member who grew up vegan by choice from a young age (even though her parents were not vegetarian) and is now a beautiful, strong, healthy adult. It caused the whole family to modify their diets and learn a healthier way of eating. This then had a ripple effect in the extended family - not becoming vegan - but now eating healthier and living healthier lifestyles.

And another story... A high school friend became vegan, but ate very unhealthy - so much JUNK FOOD is still "vegan" and that's what he did. He got fat, sickly, and eventually left veganism (but he then ate processed meats and such).

So, we can eat unhealthily no matter whether we are vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, or regular omnivore. Or... we can eat a healthy balanced diet with good sleep hygiene and adequate exercise on any one of these lifestyles. It isn't "vegan" or not which will decide his healthy eating... it will be his choice. And it isn't just food... but clean water, clean living. I hope he chooses health. And if that is his goal, then kudos to him.

Have him schedule an appointment with his doctor and have them talk about the health concerns. The doctor may either refer him to a nutritionist or do some bloodwork and prescribe vitamins.

Many vegans are able to achieve balance, but they typically research what it involves. My cousin is a vegan. When she came to visit me, I was really anxious about what to feed her... we found a great restaurant that had vegan options that were really tasty. With a little research and planning, it wasn't that hard to accommodate her for the weekend. Would I accommodate her if she needed to live with us? No.

Here's what I would say, though. If he's not the one working to purchase the alternative foods and the vitamin supplements needed... well, he needs to get a job to do so. He also needs to be helping out with the grocery shopping and food preparation. If this is going to be his lifestyle choice, then he needs to take care of his nutritional needs like an adult and not expect others to accommodate him.

Repeat... YOU do not do the research FOR him, you help him (if asked) to access his resources.

Be supportive by becoming knowledgable about Veganism. When providing dinner, provide a vegan alternative for him.

Also, going vegan effects more than just your diet. It also effects your hygene products, your clothing, your footwear, your seating options.

Here are some articles that may interest you both.
http://www.vegsource.com/articles2/fuhrman_concerns.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/vegetarian_and_vegan_diet/arti...

I would suggest taking him to a nutritionist to help him with the transition.

The only advice I can give is that you and he definitely seek the advice of a nutritionist and start researching on how to safely be a Vegan by consuming all the right amounts of amino acids/proteins.

I have a horror story to share along these lines. I have a GF who proudly worked FT and sent her 2 daughters to full time daycares and used the work sick day care center when her kids were sick, and she used driver services to get them to their extra curricular activities in the evenings so she could have 'me' time and go to her book club, and investment club, etc. On top of this she only cooked dinner occasionally. No warm breakfast was ever served in her home. They ate pop tarts and granola bars on the go for breakfast.

Fast forward, her 24 year old daughter just broke her hip this past year, from walking up a flight of stairs. She was training for a marathon. The doctors have ruled out hormonal and metabolic concerns. The sweet young girl has osteo problems already, due to a young adult, life long pattern and problem of malnutrition. Educated parents yet no proper nutrition was practiced.

The huge problem with the Vegan diet for a young man is that is very difficult to consume enough 'high level' protein at his age. The lack of protein does and will lead to vitamin B deficiencies, which lead to neurological and mental instability and disorders.

Again, please push as much nutritional education as possible his way so he knows both the proper amounts and the possible side effects if he starts experiencing them.

What you both need to do is research what being vegan means, and how it can be a very, very healthy lifestyle choice. If he does it properly then he won't be lacking anything and in fact will be the healthiest eater of anyone in your household. It will affect (not impact... an impact is a collision of two objects) his health in a very positive way but only if it's done properly on a daily basis.

The best thing to do is to also enlist a nutritionist.

EDIT: Also, research locally for vegan cooking classes and raw food cooking classes. You and your son can take these classes together to get some great preparation ideas and learn how to cook intuitively with ingredients that he finds he enjoys or has on hand when following recipes or wants to create his own recipes.

Meet with a dietitian. A registered dietitian can help you understand how much of what nutrients a growing active teen needs and help you identify vegan sources for these foods.

It is not impossible to eat a vegan healthy diet but will take some extra thought and planning in the beginning. Make your son attend the meeting with you. At that age he needs to be responsible for his diet and will be off to college soon and solely responsible for feeding himself.

Good luck!

Edited to Add: I recommended a meet with a RD because they have a BS degree in nutrition & dietetics and completed a clinical internship. Some "nutritionists" may know their stuff but some may have completed an hour tutorial on the Internet and received a certificate that calls them a nutritionist which does not mean too much. In addition, I recommended a RD over a doctor because most doctors only receive a few hours of education on nutrition... Typically the three hour introductory class that offers few specifics.

I agree with Jessica -- I would hire a nutritionist. I think you'll be surprised how healthy it can be.

It is still possible to be totally healthy as a vegan, but you will need to do research to find out how to meet all his nutritional needs. Maybe check out: http://happyherbivore.com for some help.

Help him research vegan options online.

He can get a lot of protein from eating tofu and quinoa. In fact, quinoa has just as much or more protein than meat! Also, try chia seeds as well.

There are many recipe books that have wonderful balanced vegan recipes.

He may be even healthier since a lot of our meat has hormones and unsanitary conditions where it was packaged.

He'll need to take vitamins, but shouldn't we all?

I second working with a nutrionist. They can tell you what replacement products are to make sure his body is getting the nutrients he needs.

Do your research and have him discuss his diet plans with a nutritionist or his pediatrician. It can be done, it just needs to be done right.

Just make sure he's getting plenty of protein - tofu, peanut butter, etc.
And, maybe he should take an Iron supplement.
My 21 year old has been a vegetarian for years - no meat or eggs. Yogurt & cheese, and a little milk (for cereal) was about it.
Good luck!