If you are a vegetarian, then you've probably considered butting your child on a vegetarian diet. Not only would it save time and make meal-planning easier, but for dietary and ethical reasons, you believe it is a better choice for your child.
Or you might have a kid who doesn't seem to want to eat meat and doesn't eat enough nutrients.
Of course, you'll wonder if a vegetarian diet is healthy enough for a child. But you've probably heard people say that kids who eat like vegetarians won't grow to their full potential.
These concerns might have been the reason why you've not put your child on a vegetarian diet yet.
You're right to be concerned. In reality, a poorly planned vegetarian diet can be harmful for people, especially for kids.
If you aren't well-prepared to put your child on a vegetarian diet, you definitely shouldn't. However, if you have done your nutritional research and you are familiar with the nutrients vegetarians commonly lack, then you know that these problems can easily be overcome with some meal planning.
Your child's health will improve short term and long term if you put him on a vegetarian diet. It can also reduce her exposure to animal products that contain hormones and preservatives, which have been linked to developmental problems and cancer.
The following nutrients are what most vegetarians lack, and what your child needs:
Proteins. Your child should get enough proteins by eating wheat, soybeans, isolated soy protein, and nuts.
The calcium mineral. Feed your child calcium-fortified processed foods and green leafy vegetables to make sure he gets enough calcium.
Iron element. Add more iron to your child's diet by increasing servings of soybeans, pinto beans, tofu, and cereals.
Zn. Enhance your child's zinc intake by increasing his servings of almonds, peanut butter, and mushrooms.
If you concentrate on compensating for all of these common nutritional deficiencies, you absolutely can put your child on a vegetarian diet without any negative health consequences.
Research and proper meal planning is all that's needed.
Or you might have a kid who doesn't seem to want to eat meat and doesn't eat enough nutrients.
Of course, you'll wonder if a vegetarian diet is healthy enough for a child. But you've probably heard people say that kids who eat like vegetarians won't grow to their full potential.
These concerns might have been the reason why you've not put your child on a vegetarian diet yet.
You're right to be concerned. In reality, a poorly planned vegetarian diet can be harmful for people, especially for kids.
If you aren't well-prepared to put your child on a vegetarian diet, you definitely shouldn't. However, if you have done your nutritional research and you are familiar with the nutrients vegetarians commonly lack, then you know that these problems can easily be overcome with some meal planning.
Your child's health will improve short term and long term if you put him on a vegetarian diet. It can also reduce her exposure to animal products that contain hormones and preservatives, which have been linked to developmental problems and cancer.
The following nutrients are what most vegetarians lack, and what your child needs:
Proteins. Your child should get enough proteins by eating wheat, soybeans, isolated soy protein, and nuts.
The calcium mineral. Feed your child calcium-fortified processed foods and green leafy vegetables to make sure he gets enough calcium.
Iron element. Add more iron to your child's diet by increasing servings of soybeans, pinto beans, tofu, and cereals.
Zn. Enhance your child's zinc intake by increasing his servings of almonds, peanut butter, and mushrooms.
If you concentrate on compensating for all of these common nutritional deficiencies, you absolutely can put your child on a vegetarian diet without any negative health consequences.
Research and proper meal planning is all that's needed.
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