In a recent Reddit post that has since gone viral, a 32-year-old father sought advice and opinions on his decision to feed his 12-year-old son non-vegan food without his wife’s knowledge. This revelation has sparked a fierce debate online, with thousands of users chiming in on the situation.

The father begins his story by recounting how he and his wife, married for eight years, embarked on a journey towards veganism. His wife’s decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle came after watching the documentary “Dominion.” In solidarity with her, the father agreed to go vegetarian and adhere to a vegan diet in their household, a decision she was happy with. They also decided to raise their son as a vegan after consulting with a dietician.

For years, this arrangement appeared to work well for the family. However, a few months ago, the father discovered non-vegan wrappers and fast-food items in his son’s school bag. After a heart-to-heart conversation, his son revealed that he felt lonely and excluded among his friends due to his vegan diet. This led to the father’s decision to provide his son with non-vegan food, as he didn’t want his son to spend his pocket money on snacks and waste the vegan snacks they had purchased.

While the father intended to make his son feel included and ensure that his money wasn’t spent on non-vegan snacks, his actions sparked a fierce backlash from his wife. She accused him of enabling animal abuse and corrupting their son’s dietary choices. This left their son in a difficult position, as he felt compelled to reveal the truth to his mother.

The Reddit community had varied opinions on this matter. Some users supported the father’s decision, arguing that a growing 12-year-old boy may have different nutritional needs and that forcing a vegan diet on a child can be challenging. They emphasized that maintaining a balanced vegan diet requires extra effort.

Others raised concerns about the health implications of veganism for children, highlighting that it can be difficult to ensure they receive all necessary nutrients — although this is not true. A study done in the UK found that children on a vegan diet had a higher intake of essential nutrients and were healthier overall.

The story of this Reddit user and his family raises important questions about vegan parenting. It underscores the need for open and respectful communication within families regarding such decisions.

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