How to Raise a Child Vegetarian

Some parents and pediatricians feel a vegetarian diet is unhealthy for a child, however, if planned well, this type of eating can provide all of the nutrients your child needs. Consider all nutritional requirements before raising your child as a vegetarian.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Understand the differences in the types of vegetarian diets. The range is all across the board, from semi-vegetarians, who simply avoid red meat, to vegans, who avoid all meat and foods that contain animal productas, in addition to seafood and poultry, milk products and eggs. There are several in-between versions of the diet as well, each restricting different nutrients that need to be supplemented if not received through food.
2. Know that the more restricted a child's diet is, the more risk there is that health problems could arise.
3. Pay attention to caloric needs. Vegetarian diets tend to accrue fewer total calories than non-vegetarian diets. With kids, it is imperative they consume a certain amount of calories to sustain growth. Discuss these needs with your healthcare provider.
4. Make sure your child is receiving adequate daily doses of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, protein, calcium and zinc. Some of these nutrients can be found in vegetarian foods, while some will require nutritional supplements.
5. Supplement a child's strict vegan diet with healthy fats that are important for growing bodies and growing brains.