Raising a Vegetarian child can be easy, healthy and rewarding.
I have a 5 year old Autistic child that is a Vegetarian because of disability more than choice.
He has an issue with texture and therefore doesn’t eat any meat, milk or cheese products and we struggle with getting him to eat grains still.
His ideal vegetarian diet would include just vegetables and fruits.
His choice of food of course excited me as I cannot get my other children to eat vegetables that well, but it also concerned me because of the nutritional factors.
So I done a lot of research and found some interesting facts about vegetarian diets with children.
Elisabetta Politi, nutrition manager at the Duke University diet and fitness center was recently quoted as saying, “not to worry. A child who (is being raised vegetarian or) decides to go vegetarian can eat a well-balanced, satisfying, nutritious and healthy diet.” The key is to have good variety in the diet,” says Polliti. “First, it’s good to look at foods that are concentrated sources of calories and protein. If you’re lacto-ovo, this will include your dairy products and eggs. Nuts are calorie-dense and appropriate for both lacto-ovo diets and vegan diets. Soy products and vegetables are good non-animal sources of protein. Peanut butter, yogurt, cheese, fruit and nuts are popular choices for kids who don’t eat meat, seafood or poultry.”
Some key nutrients that may need to be supplemented in a child’s vegetarian diet are Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D as these normally come from meat products. If your child doesn’t drink milk or eat milk based products using soy products are a great substitution and also a good quality multi-vitamin.
Serving dark leafy greens, fruit and protein rich foods can make up for the lack of meat in your child’s vegetarian diet. Also make sure you child is getting the recommended calorie intake, I know we normally watch for excess but in the vegetarian child it is just the opposite.
Do your research there are many options available to make sure you are raising a healthy, happy vegetarian child.
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