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Explain vegetarianism or veganism to your kids

As an adult, you make educated choices about what to feed your family. But unless you talk to your kids about these decisions, they only know that certain foods are off-limits. So while watching somebody inhale a hotdog might make you squirm, it could make your kid salivate and begin begging for one. Additionally, vegetarian and vegan children may get upset when everyone else at a birthday party or daycare is enjoying a treat they can’t eat.

To ease these stressors and help kids feel comfortable with their lifestyle, explain where different foods come from to help them make the connection between farm and plate. Discuss nutrition basics and animal welfare issues in terms they understand, going only as in-depth as you feel they can handle at their age.

Also explain to your kids that while this eating style is right for your family, it may not suit others—and that doesn’t make those families any better or worse than yours. Tell them it’s OK to talk with their friends about being a vegetarian or vegan, but it’s never OK to chastise or tease other kids about what they eat.