Mum admits she feeds her daughter's vegan friend meat 'because she's so pale'
A woman has taken to Reddit to ask for advice after admitting she feeds her daughter's friend meat - despite knowing she follows a vegan diet.
The mum explained that her daughter and her friend are both 12 and have sleepovers every now and then.
She says that although her parents are nice, they are 'a bit on the neurotic side' and follow a 'strict vegan diet'.
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Claiming that her daughter's friend is 'smaller and paler,' the mum admitted to making a 'big meaty meal' for them whenever she is staying.
She even claims that after eating the meat - which she apparently 'wolfs down' - she leaves the house with a 'healthy glow'.
She explained: "My daughter and her friend M are both 12 years old and like to have sleepovers every now and then. M's family maintains a strict vegan diet where she isn't even allowed to drink milk. Her parents are nice people although a bit on the neurotic side.
"M is bright young girl and she's a good friend to my daughter but I noticed how much smaller and paler she is compared to my daughter. I think it's likely tied to her family's diet.
"So whenever she is over I always make a big meaty meal for them. Last weekend I made some cheeseburgers and steak for them on the grill with a big glass of milk. M absolutely loves it and always politely asks for more (which I happily provide)."
She went on to explain that even outside of meal times, she provides meat-filled snacks, too.
"For snacks I give them some of my venison jerky. For breakfast I typically make a big plate of scrambled eggs and bacon again with a big glass of milk. Despite her size M always wolfs down whatever I make.
"And I have to say everytime she leaves it looks like she has a healthy glow to her," the mum claims.
"I know I probably shouldn't be doing this but I think M is a bit malnourished (nothing against vegans or anything). She knows she'll get in big trouble if she tells her folks. (I think she fibs a bit to her parents about what she eats)."
It's fair to say other parents were utterly horrified, with many pointing out the issues with feeding the friend meat behind her parents' backs.
One person wrote: "Adults shouldn’t be asking children to keep secrets. Full stop. Also there’s a good chance that kid is going to have gut issues because they aren’t used to that huge amount of dairy."
Another said: "You are not her doctor. This isn't your choice to make. Undermining her parents' dietary choices is going to do more harm than good for her."
Others, however, claimed the friend should be old enough to make her own decisions, with one adding: "My only thoughts are that at 12, her friend is certainly old enough to decide if she wants to be vegan or not."
What do you think?
Topics: Life, Parenting, Food and Drink
Lucy Devine