The Challenge of Going Vegan

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60. Babies don't want vegan mommies?

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The vegan lifestyle isn't mainstream yet, but it's surely on its way thanks to the whole food movement inspired by the likes of "Forks Over Knives" and "Food Inc." Trendy vegan cookbooks, blogs and personalities continue to multiply as we all get "vegucated," as do the vegan options served at restaurants. I don't remember the last time I was in a restaurant that didn't serve kale or some sort of braised greens. Then again, this is L.A.

But is pushing veganism onto children taking things too far? Ruby Roth's children’s book, "Vegan is Love," which comes out April 24, has already ruffled some feathers. The colorful book is meant to serve as an introduction to, as the author puts it, "veganism as a lifestyle of compassion and action."

Critics say that the book oversimplifies things. "While a vegan diet can be nutritious if properly planned," reports ABC News’ Mikaela Conley, "parents may have trouble getting children to eat the proper amounts of all the necessary food groups when kids can be finicky with food already."

Of the backlash, Roth says, "[Veganism is the] embodiment of the philosophies our country was founded on: independence, rugged individualism and self-reliance."

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-babies-dont-want-vegan-mommies-20120420,0,1776111.story