| Though many people have the idea that feeding a | | | | nutrition. |
| toddler a vegetarian diet isn't safe, so long as | | | | Vegetarian child. The term almost sounds like an |
| parents take care to make sure that all the | | | | oxymoron we've joked about through the years, |
| appropriate nutrients are met, it's actually quite | | | | like jumbo shrimp. The words just don't seem to |
| healthy. | | | | go together! It's not as unnatural as it may sound. |
| Some benefits to a lifelong, proper vegetarian diet | | | | Actually, kids are almost natural vegetarians. It's |
| include a lower risk of heart disease, high blood | | | | imperative that you offer your growing |
| pressure, diabetes and obesity. | | | | vegetarian child a wide variety of fruits, |
| The main problem with vegetarianism and toddler | | | | vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and soy based |
| nutrition is making sure your child gets enough | | | | proteins to ensure they have the energy and |
| nutrients and calories. Calorie consumption is | | | | nutrients needed to grow up strong, healthy, and |
| important for ensuring your toddler has the | | | | happy. |
| energy he needs to play hard and grow. | | | | When you're planning a healthy vegetarian diet, |
| It can be challenging to develop a well-rounded | | | | you're only limited by your imagination. It's |
| vegetarian toddler menu that provides enough | | | | important to incorporate a wide variety of whole |
| protein and iron. Since toddlers already have such | | | | grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits in different |
| a small appetite, it can be difficult to get them to | | | | meals, including seeds and nuts. Variety is the |
| eat enough vegetables or beans to receive all of | | | | spice of life, and it will help ensure your vegetarian |
| their nutrients. Therefore, it is important that | | | | diet is nutrient-dense, interesting, and fun! Aim for |
| vegetarian children are served nutrient-dense | | | | variety, even when you serve favorite entrees |
| foods. | | | | over and over again, by serving different side |
| Soybeans and tofu are a great source of protein | | | | dishes, snacks and desserts. |
| for adults and children over four. For toddlers, | | | | Be creative in planning meals. Boost your |
| though, it shouldn't be used as their main source | | | | consumption of beans and vegetables by eating |
| of protein. In this instance, compliment the tofu or | | | | these foods at lunch time rather than just for |
| soybeans that you serve with soymilk that has | | | | dinner. Make it a goal to serve a vegetable every |
| been fortified with vitamins and minerals. Not only | | | | day for lunch and two for dinner. |
| will this help provide some protein, it will also help | | | | Plan a meal around a vegetable. A baked potato |
| your toddler's nutrition by providing calcium, and | | | | can be a hearty entree; serve it with baked |
| vitamins A and D, which can often be hard to get | | | | beans, a sauce of stewed tomatoes or a few |
| in a vegan diet. | | | | tablespoons of salsa. Or make a simple meal of |
| Iron can be found in many vegetarian-friendly | | | | sautéed vegetables and pasta. |
| foods. Kidney beans, lima beans, green beans, and | | | | Try new foods often. Experiment with a variety |
| spinach are all excellent sources of iron. However, | | | | of grains such as quinoa, couscous, bulgur, barley, |
| unlike iron derived from animal sources, iron from | | | | and wheat berries. Try fruits and vegetables that |
| vegetables can be hard for your body to absorb | | | | are popular in different international cuisines, such |
| properly. But serving a vitamin C rich food with | | | | as bok choy. Accentuate the positive. Focus more |
| those beans or spinach can make the iron easier | | | | on healthy foods that fit into a vegetarian plan |
| for your toddler to absorb. Some great sources | | | | instead of foods to avoid. If you're unsure how to |
| of vitamin C include tomatoes, oranges, broccoli, | | | | include a new food into your vegetarian diet, ask |
| red peppers, and cantaloupe. | | | | the produce manager at your local grocer or |
| While it is possible to raise a healthy vegan, it can | | | | health food store for ideas on how to prepare it. |
| take a bit more work. You may need to | | | | The internet can be a great resource for new |
| supplement your toddler's diet to ensure they get | | | | recipe and preparation ideas. But be sure that |
| all the nutrition that they need. Vitamin B-12 can | | | | you're building your menu on a strong plant food |
| be especially difficult for vegans to get enough of. | | | | base. Make them the core of your diet. |
| While vegetables contain some B-12 vitamins, the | | | | Don't stress about getting enough protein. As long |
| body does not easily absorb these. Your toddler's | | | | as calories are sufficient and the diet is varied, |
| healthcare provider can help you decide on a B-12 | | | | vegetarians easily meet protein needs. Grains, |
| suitable for toddlers. | | | | beans, vegetables, and nuts all provide protein. |
| A diet that does not allow for calcium can also be | | | | Vegetarians do not need to eat special |
| detrimental to your child's health. Calcium helps to | | | | combinations of foods to meet protein needs. |
| make bones stronger and aids in proper growth | | | | However, it is important to be aware of fat. |
| and development. Choose soymilk that is | | | | Even vegetarians can get too much fat if the diet |
| calcium-fortified, but be sure it's also fortified with | | | | contains large amounts of nuts, oils, processed |
| other nutrients that your toddler needs for good | | | | foods, or sweets. |