Raise Your Vegetarian Toddler With Confidence

Posted by admin on August 2nd, 2009

Many people have the idea that feeding a toddler a vegetarian diet isn’t safe. But the fact is that it’s perfectly healthy, as long as your little one is getting all of the proper nutrients. A few of the benefits to an ongoing, balanced vegetarian diet consist of a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. If you bring your toddler up with these foods, chances are he or she will not balk at them later on.

The number one concern with vegetarian toddler food is to ensure that your child gets sufficient calories and nutrients. Adequate calorie consumption is essential to make certain your child has the energy he needs to play hard and grow well.

It’s not easy to come up with a well-balanced vegetarian toddler menu that provides an adequate amount of protein and iron. 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.

You will find iron in many vegetarian-friendly foods. Kidney beans, lima beans, green beans, and spinach are all first-rate sources of iron. 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. Tomatoes, oranges, broccoli, red peppers, and cantaloupe are all good sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin B-12 may be especially hard for vegans to get enough of. While there are B-12 vitamins in certain vegetables, they are not easily absorbed by the body. Your toddler’s pediatrician can help you decide on a B-12 vitamin supplement that is suitable for toddlers.

Calcium is another important consideration for your vegetarian child’s nutrition plan. Calcium plays a role in making strong bones and facilitates normal growth. Opt for soymilk that is fortified with calcium, but be sure it also contains other nutrients important to your toddler’s diet.

It will take quite a bit of work on your part to raise a healthy vegetarian toddler. It might be a good idea to add a vitamin supplement to your toddler’s diet to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need.

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