As you change over to a vegetarian diet, pass on this good nutrition and improved way of eating to your family too.  In fact, as a parent it’s your responsibility to nurture your children and help them develop.  Teaching them good nutrition is something you should take very seriously.

I know that can be hard to do in a culture where our children are bombarded with fast food advertising in the media.  No plate of vegetables on the planet is going to look as good to them as a double cheeseburger with fries!

The secret is to start slowly when changing not only your own eating patterns, but also your family’s.  The process of changing to a vegetarian diet starts at the grocery store.  Start stocking the refrigerator with healthy snacks like apples and carrots.  Switch out white rice and pre-pared side dishes that are so high in fat and sodium with good, chewy brown rice.    Gradually reduce the size of meat portions and start incorporating more vegetables and grains into your family dinners.

Don’t make the changes all at once.  If you occasionally give in and stop at a fast food restaurant, get fruit or yogurt in as a part of that meal.  Make the changes so gradual that they never notice their diets are changing.  At some point, your kids will start making their own choices, so play on their sympathy for animals.  If they start to see the eating of animal products as a way to be kind to animals, they will actually begin to prefer eating vegetables, fruits, and nuts over a lifestyle that they view as being cruel to animals.

You’ll be doing them a favor that will last them a lifetime. Childhood obesity is at epidemic levels in the U.S., so you’ll be setting your children up with eating habits that will help ensure a long and healthy life.