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Mom vs. Dad
When One Is Vegetarian and the Other Is Not
By Johnathon Allen
"Vegetarian meat substitutes, like tofu dogs and meatless burgers, are becoming increasingly popular and are surprisingly similar in taste to their animal-based look-a-likes. These are good options for families who want to enjoy an afternoon barbecue experience without eating meat."
"Generally, it's up to parents to set the ground rules for diet in a household," says Messina. "Yet, it is certainly good to consider children's feelings about this issue. Some children in meat-eating households have strong feelings against eating animals, and I think parents should respect this. On the other hand, a shy child may feel particularly singled out if he or she is the only vegetarian in a group, and this difference is a source of embarrassment. Parents will probably make the decision in these instances, but they can consider the child's input."
"Right now, I'm the only vegan in our household," Markley explains. "Juniper is mostly vegetarian, though we allow her to eat some dairy products and the occasional serving of scrambled eggs. I chose to be vegan for my own reasons, and I would like her to decide for herself what's best as she gets older. The most important thing is that she is healthy and happy."
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