subject: Guidelines For A Healthy Vegetarian Toddler Diet [print this page] A lot of people believe that putting a toddler on a vegetarian diet isn't healthy. But it can be perfectly safe as long as your child is getting all the proper nutrients. Some of the benefits to a vegetarian diet include a lower risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease. If you raise your toddler on this type of diet, he or she will embrace it willingly later on.
The number one concern with vegetarian toddler food is to ensure that your child gets sufficient calories and nutrients. Your toddler needs enough calories to ensure that he has enough energy to grow and play.
It may be somewhat of a challenge to develop a well-rounded vegetarian toddler menu that will give them enough iron and protein. Given that toddlers already have such a small appetite, it can be tricky to get them to eat enough vegetables or beans so they get all of their nutrients. For this reason, it's essential that vegetarian children are served nutrient-dense foods.
Soybeans and tofu are a good source of protein for grownups and children over four. However, they should not be considered as the major source of protein for a toddler. Serve tofu or soybeans with soymilk that has been fortified with minerals and vitamins. This will not only provide some additional protein, but it will give your toddler's nutrition a boost with Vitamins A and D as well as calcium, which can sometimes be hard to get enough of in a vegan diet.
Iron can be found in many vegetarian foods. Great sources of iron include kidney beans, green beans, spinach, and lima beans. Unfortunately, unlike iron originating from animal products, the iron in vegetables can be tough for the body to process. You can remedy this situation if you serve a Vitamin C rich food with those beans or spinach. Some great sources of Vitamin C are oranges, red peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and cantaloupe.
Getting sufficient amounts of Vitamin B-12 may be especially hard for vegans. While there are B-12 vitamins in certain vegetables, they are not easily absorbed by the body. Your toddler's healthcare provider can help find a B-12 supplement appropriate for a toddler.
Calcium is another important consideration for your vegetarian child's nutrition plan. Calcium helps make bones stronger and aids in proper growth and development. Choose soymilk that is calcium-fortified, but make sure it is also fortified with other nutrients that your toddler needs for good nutrition.
While it's possible to raise a healthy vegetarian toddler, it can take a lot of work. You may have to supplement your toddler's meals to make sure they get all the nutrients their little bodies require.
