“Hidden” Non-Veg Ingredients There are many popular products that My child, ______Why is your child a vegetarian? seem vegetarian, but are not. Some of People choose vegetarianism for a wide these non-vegetarian products include: is a vegetarian. variety of reasons, including:  marshmallows (usually contain gelatin)  Ethical, because of concern for animals.  Jell-O Because of this, you may have some  Environmental, because eating a  gelatin (often found in gummy candy’s questions regarding how this will impact plant-based diet is more and snacks) him/her while in your care. Don’t worry, it is environmentally friendly. much easier than you think, and this brochure  Religious and/or cultural reasons.  animal-based soup broth/stock should help answers those questions!  Health, because eating plant-based  sprinkles on cakes/cookies (contain foods is healthier for the human confectioner’s glaze, made from bugs) body.  jelly beans (often contain gelatin or confectioner’s glaze)  cochineal/cochinate (a beetle, often Is it safe for children to be vegetarian? used for pink coloring in juices, snacks, Yes, health organizations agree that etc.) vegetarianism is safe and healthy for children. Also, vegetarian children often  animal shortening or lard (often found eat more healthfully than their peers, as in packaged snacks, cakes, etc.) they are usually more open to eating a  marshmallow Peeps (contain gelatin) variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.  McDonald’s French fries (contain beef fat) What is a  gummy candy (contains gelatin) vegetarian? Why do I need this  candy corn (contains gelatin) information? Because my child will be in  Starburst’s (contains gelatin) your care and there may be A vegetarian is someone who does not eat  Rice Krispie treats (contain holiday and birthday parties, animals. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, marshmallows) as well as special treat days, fowl (chicken, turkey, duck, etc.), or any other with a variety of foods being brought into type of animal flesh product, including Other particular ingredients to look for the classroom. As such, many of these seafood. There are different types of and avoid include: items may not be suitable for the vegetarians, and what they eat varies. Some vegetarian child. We appreciate your may or may not include eggs and/or dairy Gelatin, animal shortening, anchovies, support regarding this matter. products. confectioner’s glaze, tallow, vitamin D3, fish oil, beef fat, chicken stock, etc. Anything else I should know? Additional Information/Notes: Because my child is a vegetarian, we may be opposed to field trips such as zoos and Date: ______circuses, or activities that imply harming ______To: ______animals (e.g., a projects on how to cook a turkey at Thanksgiving, fishing games, dissection, etc.). Please discuss such things ______with me ahead of time.

______Where can I find more information? There are many sites that offer information Vegetarian Guide regarding vegetarianism. You can also find ______lesson plans that are geared toward creating an animal-friendly classroom. regarding: ______Check out these sites for additional information: ______- Vegetarian Resource Group www.vrg.org ______- National Institutes of Health www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vegetari andiet.html Feel free to contact me with questions - Physician’s Committee for or for additional information: Responsible Medicine www.pcrm.org - Teach Kind www.teachkind.com Name:

Did you know? Phone: One in every 200 children in Cell: America is vegetarian. Increasingly, vegetarianism is gaining in E-mail: popularity, as more people choose a more compassionate lifestyle that also benefits the planet and their own health. Thank you!

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