I would think the trick would be getting enough fat to aid in brain development and enough protein for muscle.  

I'm all about the meat, but I wouldn't stop my sister from raising her children (if she ever has any) vegetarian.  One must be very careful to make sure baby is getting all the important nutrients, as pointed out above.  And it's important that baby (at any age) be introduced to meat slowly if that decision is made.  Otherwise, go for it.

@tryingtofind_me@xanga - I agree I was a pretty much a vegetarian *only eating meat once in a blue moon* before I meet my girl who is a vegan and since I have gone vegan.

I would agree if done right then no it is not a bad thing.  If you are a junketarian like many vegetarians/vegans can be then of course it is bad.  If eating french fries all the time is your idea of being a vegetarian/vegan then no that is not healthy.  But if you eat a balanced meal with plenty of fruits, vegetables,  nuts *for fat*, and beans then yes it can be healthy. Besides if you want meat there is always TVP Textured Veg Protein.  One pound of the crumble can be used to replace one pound of meat in any recipe and it tastes great!

I think as long as you do it with the proper informatin it would be fine.  As small children I know some doctors would want them on a vitamen if they are not getting enough of something, but really what you want to feed your child as long as they are healthy is your choice. 

ok. i think that

1. they need protein

2. if they dont have enough fat, they wont absorb fat based vitamins A,D, E, and K. it doesnt just matter if they GET the vitamin, they have to store it.

A is for eyesight in the dark, D is for absorption of calcium, E is an antioxidant and K is needed for blood clotting when they go running around and bonking into things.

no. unless you want to risk a malnourished blind osteoporotic baby whose blood wont clot for the sake of a chicken.

@the_life_of_pie@xanga - 

ok. i think that

That's your first mistake right there.  You missed the actual think and research part of your statement.

1. they need protein

You can get protein a lot of different ways eating as a vegan; soy, nuts and beans, etc.

2.
if they dont have enough fat, they wont absorb fat based vitamins A,D,
E, and K. it doesnt just matter if they GET the vitamin, they have to
store it.

You can eat things with a high, healthy fat count; dressings with olive oil, avocados, nuts, etc.

A is for eyesight in the dark, D is for absorption
of calcium, E is an antioxidant and K is needed for blood clotting when
they go running around and bonking into things.

no. unless you want to risk a malnourished blind osteoporotic baby whose blood wont clot for the sake of a chicken.

That's just an asinine comment.  Do you think that you can only get all of these things in meat?

hrm interesting post.
We did not eat meat for awhile, but that was because we could not afford to buy organic free range meat/milk/eggs. Now we can. I actually found that I got sick if I did not get enough red meat, but I also know even body works differently. We don't eat pork or turkey, because they are scavenger animals (so told to me by our local butcher, who is Jewish), but we get organic chicken and beef. Eggs we get from a friend's farm and milk we buy organic. Yes its more expensive, but it works for our family.
If one of my children wanted to be vegan/vegetarian I would fully support that provided they would eat what they needed to eat to stay healthy.

Studies have shown that anyone can be healthy on a vegetarian/vegan diet IF DONE RIGHT, that's the key.
People on ANY kind of diet can and are unhealthy, I don't know if raising a baby on a vegetarian/vegan diet can harm them or not, I personally don't think enough research on those doing it the right way has been done to decide that yet. Obviously if a baby isn't getting the nutrients it needs, regardless of the type of diet it's going to be unhealthy.

But you do realize this statement is stupid in YOUR argument: "Or do you think they should start off eating meat until they're older to decide for themselves what their diet should be?"
The reason it's stupid is lots of people go vegetarian/vegan after BEING RAISED on meat, most as a matter of fact, I know of few people who have only ALWAYS been veg because their parents were. Besides, ask most teens and young kids, most only want JUNK FOOD, another reason that statement was stupid.

As long as they're healthy it's fine. Anyway, when they get older, chances are they'll decide for themselves whether they want meat or not. I know if I was raised that way, I'd wonder what meat tasted like and probably go for it. lol.

Oh and I wanted to address the "where food comes from" issue.  Don't think that because your children know where meat comes from it will automatically keep them veg.  My kids have been to plenty of farms including meat and dairy farms.  They also know some of their relatives hunt and fish for food.  We happen to buy our meat from a very progressive farm, the animals are raised and slaughtered humanely and our kids know that and know that is why we buy our meat direct from the source.  I doubt you could find a kid on earth that adores animals more than my son but the idea of giving up meat has never crossed his mind even though we have told the children their whole lives that if they ever wanted to go veg. we'd support them and in fact we eat very little meat as it is.

As far as the vegan diet goes (which IS healthy but is lacking in some very much-needed nutrients) taking a multi-vitamin (which, technically you should be doing anyways) should save the part of the protein and such.

My supervisor at work went vegan in february and has lost over 70 pounds (combined with exercise, which is what this type of lifestyle kinda sets you up for) and I thought heyyyyyy why not. Since my biggest weakness is chicken, I'm giving up one type of food each month until I either a) see results or b) am completely Vegan. So far I've given up red meat (something I never really thought I ate much of to begin with) and have lost 8 pounds since the middle of September. Sure, it's not DRAMATIC weight loss, but it's something that will probably stay because it wasn't lost at the drop of a hat.

It's possible to be safely vegetarian. I sincerely hope that anyone who raises their children vegetarian/vegan does their research and consults with their doctor - if they do, I have no problem!

I, however, simply cannot maintain good health as a vegetarian. No one knows why. I can eat perfectly, take the right supplements, etc., and I get weak and anemic and ill. So I eat white meat and fish. And because of this (and because my husband loves meat) we would never raise our kids vegetarian, but would be accepting if they chose that lifestyle later, as long as they are healthy about it.
I just try my best to buy meat from humanely slaughtered animals and local farms.

My real pet peeve is with people who try to feed dogs and cats vegetarian/vegan diets That's just stupid. There are plenty of arguments as to whether or not humans are designed to eat meat, but dogs and cats are quite obviously so!

I wouldn't think it would be very healthy...then again I'm a carnivore, so my kids would definitely get meat when they were old enough. :P