Is It ‘Un-American’ to Avoid Meat? WWYD Tackles Vegan-Bashing
EmailWhen a couple forces a hot dog on a young girl in a New Jersey restaurant, neighboring diners are confused and surprised; the girl’s mother had clearly said that the family does not eat meat, dairy or animal by-products.
“Everyone eats hamburgers, it’s un-American not to eat meat,” said the man, urging the girl to enjoy the hot dog.
“So she gets no protein,” added his companion.
In this case, the meat-eating duo and the vegan family actually are actors playing roles in a scenario for ABC News’ “What Would You Do?” filmed at the Mason Jar Grill, in Mahwah, N.J. But in reality, some worry that a meat-and-dairy-free diet could be dangerous for children.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an organization of registered dieticians and other nutrition professionals, vegan meals can be good for children as long as certain nutritional guidelines are followed.
“[A]ppropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases,” the organization says on its website. “Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.”
Tofu, nuts, grains and legumes are all examples of plant-based forms of protein. The association also recommends taking care to ensure that vegan children are given foods that are good sources of vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc and fiber.
Catch a sneak peek of our carnivores’ aggressive antics below and then vote to tell us how you would react. Watch the whole scenario unfold Friday at 9 p.m. ET.
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I think this is wonderful that hypocrite meat eaters want to tell our vegan from birth children that they should eat meat. Now they give me every right to speak to their kids about the nutrition facts from the FDA. Any hypocrite meat eaters want to complain, I will just show them this video that fair is fair. The difference is that my evidence comes from the FDA and theirs comes from hillbillies. The world will become vegan, all species breeding will be illegal, because we maintain our freedom of speech and educate each other’s children without the consent of the parents.
Posted by: Daniel Manahan | February 8, 2012, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
Absolutely not. This is a step back isn’t it? You would think the goal in life is to be healthy and happy. Nothing is healthier and more peaceful than a vegan diet, as long as it includes whole grains, nuts, beans, and other whole plant-based foods. I think everyone needs help getting there though. We can start with the subsidization of these heathier foods instead of the junk foods that we find more affordable.
Posted by: ease | February 8, 2012, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
I didn’t go Vegan until my 40′s and I wished I had done it sooner. I have never felt better. I run more, my energy level is through the roof, I sleep better, my seasonal disorder is gone, my hot flashes as night are gone, my food cravings are gone. I wish my mother would have taught me the benefits of a vegan diet.
Now don’t get me wrong, you have to do it right … you can be a vegan and eat crap. But done right, you wont regret it.
Posted by: Jackie | February 8, 2012, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
I love this show. I am always so happy when I see folks stepping up to do the right thing. I am one of those folks and I get a lot of flack from nervous friends and family when I try to help out in a situation where someone is being treated inappropriately. I’m so glad to see WWYD decided to take on the diet wars.
As a vegan, I know my choice to eat compassionately makes other people uncomfortable. It makes them question their own choices and they often believe my choice infers a judgement about theirs. It is a touchy subject for sure. I try to live my life for myself and do what’s right for me without feeling the need to insist others follow me. I make good food for friends and family and hope it is enough to make the point that I am living and eating well.
Most folks, like the actors in your scenario, make statements based on a lack of good information about nutrition and the falsely-advertised health benefits of animal-based foods. We are all susceptible to the extraordinarily well-funded advertising campaigns put out by animal-based “food” producers. We are also all heavily influenced by our cultural and familial eating habits. Opening one’s mind and one’s heart to the truth about the animal cruelty, the environmental dangers of farming animals for food, and the health troubles that come from ingesting them is scary business. No one is the enemy in this scenario.
Obviously, the behavior of the hot dog ordering couple is inappropriate. Just as it would be inappropriate for a vegan couple to insist on ordering a veggie dog for the daughter of non-present omnivore parents. Vegan diets have been proven over and over again to be healthy, to prevent disease, and to offer protective health benefits. As shows like this and others work to disseminate good information about the positive benefits of plant-based diets, more and more folks will understand that this kind of “intervention” is unnecessary.
Plus, adults have a hard time believing that kids can actually grasp what not eating animals is all about. Non-vegans think all veg kids are just being forced into something controversial by their parents. The truth is, kids are naturally compassionate toward animals and they usually don’t want to hurt them. Adults are able to compartmentalize in a way kids have not yet learned or been conditioned to do. Kids don’t take the same amount of time adults do to come ’round to the idea that not eating animals is a great way to prevent cruelty toward animals. I saw it myself when one adult after another ducked their head and walked past the booth where I was handing out literature about California’s Prop 2. But, every single child that saw the pictures of chickens in battery cages, pigs in gestation crates, and calves in veal crates literally yanked their parents over to the table and emphatically asked what was going on in those pictures and why. When they realized I was offering them a way to help make it stop, EVERY single kid demanded that their parents take the info I was offering and do what I said could be done (vote) to make it stop. Kids do get it. And their ability to be honest about what they do and don’t want to do to animals (or have done on their behalf) should be respected.
Posted by: Chris | February 8, 2012, 10:23 pm 10:23 pm
I am a vegan/vegetarian. My 8 yr old daughter eats the same way I do. It is not a form of child abuse. Obviously these people (even though they are actors, but still mainstream people comment too) haven’t done any research into what vegetables and grains have protein. I can eat quiona and have a complete protein! and that is a grain! My daughter and I get plenty of protein and adequate vitamins from what food we eat. Our favorite source for protein???? you guessed it, beans. In fact my daughters dietary intake would rival some of the kids who eat the standard american diet. Her diet is less in saturated fats and sugars and WAY more healthy than the junk most kids eat. So let’s compare how healthy she is to other standard 8 yr olds. Want to talk about abuse???? how about a parent letting their child eat nothing but high fructose corn syrup and refined flours? or better yet, all the dyes in drinks. yeah, my kid may not eat hotdogs, but guarantee you that my child eats more servings of fruits and vegetables in one day than most kids eat in an entire week.
Posted by: Mandi | February 8, 2012, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm
I’d tell them they have absolutely NO RIGHT to tell me how my child is fed AND that being a Vegan I am far better schooled in nutrition than most carnivores and the AMA and NO ONE has the right to force food on my child. To do so is a form of abuse. (do you realize what is in hotdogs?!!!!) Also I have a deep respect for other species and their right to live uncaged and unharmed by humans. Then I’d call upon the Manager and voice a complaint.
I agree due to a burgeoning human population, scarcity of food, continuing pollution caused by raising animals for food, and education in compassion and respect will bring the world around to a Vegan way of thinking and living.
Posted by: patzy | February 8, 2012, 10:50 pm 10:50 pm
I really like this show. It spells out to people that standing by and watching wrong done to others isn’t the right way to be. While I believe that feeding meat and eggs and dairy to children is a form of child abuse, I don’t stop parents from doing it. I try to educate the world in general by being part of a group whose focus is on teaching about food choices on a county, town, school and personal level. If this were actually happening near me I would call the police. I would also insist that the waitress, who clearly knew the parent’s wishes regarding the child’s diet, be fired and possibly arrested.
Posted by: Bett | February 9, 2012, 1:57 am 1:57 am
The irony is that with all the information we have about truly healthy foods, we still (as a culture) advocate eating animal products. We still allow (Obama, this is for you) Monsanto to completely take over non animal product seeds and plant growth. We still allow – on a massive scale – poisoning of our water and food supply, not to mention our dental fillings. Slightly OT.
Vegan is the only thing that’s even been near good for our kids.
Posted by: Erika | February 9, 2012, 8:20 am 8:20 am
It is so amazing how skewed most American’s view of healthy eating is. Even this news report quotes that vegetarian diets “can” be healthy. The benefits of a vegan diet far outweigh those of a meat eating diet, but it is still the opinion of many Americans that it is unhealthy to not eat meat. When you know the facts it seems silly and backwards. But most Americans just aren’t educated about the subject and are victims of the meat and dairy industry.
In the end though it’s a parent’s decision what to feed their children as long as they aren’t starving them or feeding them arsenic. I think I would have to step in and tell that meaty couple to back off.
Posted by: Christie | February 9, 2012, 8:40 am 8:40 am
I’d tell the waitress that if she serves that child a hot dog behind her mothers back not only will I never eat here again but I will make sure everyone knows that this establishment does not believe that parents have the right to raise their children according to their beliefs! And if the child gets sick I will happily be a witness for the prosecution!
Posted by: Ruth | February 9, 2012, 10:38 am 10:38 am
Hot dogs aren’t that protein rich, they’re junk food! I’ve been a vegetarian for 7 years and vegan for 2 months now and I have no issue getting protein or building muscle or whatever myths are perpetuated. Anyone who says different is ignorant.
Posted by: Anthony | February 9, 2012, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
I don’t think that couple had the right to order a hot dog for the kid! I’m a vegetarian and I never forced my beliefs on my sons. They were raised to eat what they wanted (as far as a choice between animal and non animal protein. They both were good about eating vegetables). They wanted to eat meat. I didn’t stop them. They still eat meat. But the thing is, is that kid is NOT their kid. They should mind their own business. I tended to speak up when it was cold out and parents didn’t even have a jacket or a hat on a baby! Now that’s a reason to say something!
Posted by: Diana | February 9, 2012, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
I’m 68 years old. I’ve been vegetarian for 39 years, and if someone tried to coerce me to eat flesh, I’d be furious. But this goes far beyond being vegetarian. What if the child didn’t eat meat because of religious reasons (ie keeping kosher)? What if the child had a food allergy or medical problem with protein? There are so many possible reasons that a person might choose to avoid animal products. For me it’s a matter of compassion. I don’t feel that any animal should die for my taste buds. I gave up eating flesh when someone said, “You love animals. Why kill to eat?” I have since learned about the horrors of factory farming, the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, the financial cost of eating flesh, the medical conditions caused by or complicated by eating carcasses, destruction of the rain forest, water and air pollution, and so many other negative consequences of animal consumption. For me, the most important is still the fact that animals have a right to their own lives. But whatever the reasons for becoming a vegetarian or vegan, it’s just plain wrong for other people to try to influence a child to disobey and disrespect a parent. If I were there when that happened, I would definitely speak up loudly and strongly. The only time it’s appropriate to speak up is when a parent is doing something wrong or harmful to a child. I’ve spoken up when I’ve seen a parent berate a child, hit a child, or allow a child to run wild in a store or restaurant.
Posted by: Maureen Koplow | February 9, 2012, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
I would neve feed my kids meat
Posted by: Greg | February 10, 2012, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
I’d step in to explain to the couple that they’re overstepping their bounds, adding that a vegan diet is nutritious. I’d also point out that the child looks healthy and alert, as does her mother.
Posted by: Yvonne | February 10, 2012, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
I went vegetarian of my own accord at age 6. Now I am raising my son vegan. It’s healthy, compassionate, and better for the planet.
Thank you for taking time to demonstrate how some people behave towards veg families. Though the majority of people accept veg families, a minority behave as the meat-eating actors in your segment did. It’s extremely frustrating to deal with that kind of ignoranct authoritarian attitude. Thank you again for highlighting the issue :)
Posted by: Elaine | February 10, 2012, 11:43 pm 11:43 pm
I watched the program last night and it is OK. I’m certainly glad that this issue was raised. I have been vegetarian for about 40 years and vegan for 20 of those years — for ethical reasons. But I do have an added bonus. Almost 80 years of age, I have had no cancers, nor heart disease or hypertension — and in fact I even do “zumba” on occasion I attribute this to my healthy diet. Of course there are “vegan junk-food addicts” who live on chips and candy. But if a person watches what they eat there are also health benefits. I do wish though that the young girl did mention something about factory farmed animals and the abuse we put on them. But it wa a good first step, and thank you.
Posted by: Constance Young | February 11, 2012, 9:48 am 9:48 am
Let me start by stating I’m a meat eater, I’m for Texas & I love Beef Ribs & Brisket, A few weeks ago Yahoo News & ABC News had a story about Loma Linda, Ca, a small town that has the world’s longest life expectancy. There’s no SECRET to WHY its so, First -they are Seventh Day Adventist, Second – they are Vegetarians & some are vegans, I was raised around Adventist in Texas they are the Most Healthy Conscious people on this planet. They have been preaching healthier live styles since there beginning, 1860. They were health “Nuts” when being healthy wasn’t even a “fad”. They do also have less health issues than ANY OTHER GROUP, conformed by the medical field. If we ALL followed their example we ALL would we in better health, instead of being a an Nation with an OBESITY problem & health issues because of it, like Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Heart Attacks.
Posted by: Ruben Condado | February 11, 2012, 10:56 am 10:56 am
You don’t talk to my kids and I don’t talk to yours — not unless I have your permission of course and vise versa. Just because some nut on a TV show acts in bad taste doesn’t mean we’re all like that! I a meat eater who respects vegans for their choice and I would never try to talk them back to eat eating meat.
Posted by: Theid413 | February 11, 2012, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
I would want to call the police on the couple that ordered the hotdog! I am really, their strangers, if they were outside it would be the same as a pervert trying to give candy to a child. The couple should be arrested for this. Giving a Child meat is Child abuse!
Posted by: Joseph | February 15, 2012, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
One of my favorite songs is called “The ultimate grilled meat restaurant! Orin’s hell eatery.”
It’s about a girl who runs a meat shop in hell.
“Meat, meat, meat, meat! The ultimate gourmet food is meat!”
In all seriousness, meat can be healthy. Vegans often lack key nutrients and must take vitamin pills. And if a child WANTS to eat meat, I think he or she should be able to.
But with the way there were acting, it seemed as if the meat was poison…
Posted by: Laura | February 23, 2012, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm