Is it good for a Child to be a Vegetarian?

    In Taiwan, so many people’s religious background is Buddhism and the most obvious feature in their lifestyles is that they are all vegetarians. They do not eat meant such as pork, chicken, beef, steak and probably including eggs, because they think that killing animals and then eating them is quite cruel and the main idea of Buddhism is mercy, they do not eat anything alive. Well, actually, it is impossible for me to only eat vegetables in my life. I love to eat vegetables, but I cannot completely become a vegetarian, although I know that eating more vegetables is very good for my body and health. In Buddhism family, parents do not allow their children to eat meant, and I think this is a very common phenomenon in Buddhism family. In the religious sense, I think it is good for children to be vegetarians, but in the scientific and healthy sense, I am totally against it.

    First of all, I have to emphasize that I am not against Buddhism and, on the contrary, I think Buddhists are very great and pious. In fact, everyone knows that there are so many nutrients in vegetables. These nutrients can help people poop smoothly, because of celluloses. Besides, by eating vegetables, people’s skin will become better and better. It seems that vegetables provide a lot of advantages to us, but why am I against that it is not good for a child to eat vegetables?

    In my opinion, although vegetables offer people so many nutrients and advantages, we still have to get some nutrients and materials from animals such as protein and fat. These ingredients are necessary when children are growing up. Protein is essential to children’s life as well as cellulose is. If a child keep eating vegetables without meant, I do not think it is good for his or her growing. Children who lack of protein might be short in their height and they might become weak. Therefore, we cannot deny that meant is indispensible for human beings.

    In conclusion, children’s growing is very important for parents. I assume that parents should think what is really good for their kids. Sometimes my parents’ friends come to my home for dinner. They are all Buddhists and they are very pious, but every time when I see their kids, I feel a little bit sad and sympathetic, because these kids are quite thin and weak and they look unhappy. In fact, I do not know what really makes them feel unhappy, but their body shapes and health are truly bad. This is my own thoughts about children who are vegetarians and I think the truth is unchangeable in Taiwan, because most Taiwanese are over-religious and they think that their religions are more important than their children’s health. (463)