How to Deal With Children Wanting to Be Vegetarian

Your child̵7;s desire to stop eating meat involves much more than just control over his food. Children decide to become vegetarians for various reasons, including concerns about animals, distaste for meat, and helping the environment. Fortunately, appropriate vegetarian diets provide children with adequate nutrition, according to Kids Eat Right, a program sponsored by the American Dietetic Association and American Dietetic Association Foundation. Dealing with a vegetarian diet often requires more work for a parent. However, allowing a child to make decisions and work out solutions provides important skills for your child and shows your support, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Allowing your child to make choices helps her to develop healthy eating habits, says University of Florida assistant professor Larry Forthun.

Instructions

    • 1

      Discuss the reasons for choosing vegetarianism with your child. Talk about the different types of vegetarian diets, including options for partial vegetarianism, such as continuing to eat seafood, fish, chicken, dairy products and eggs. Work out an agreement regarding the type of vegetarian diet, such as allowing her to start by eliminating mammals and increase the restrictions depending on her maintaining a healthy diet.

    • 2

      Research the dietary requirements for your child̵7;s age group, including amounts of protein and other nutrients. Explain to your child that a vegetarian diet requires him to add protein sources as well as other healthy food to his diet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Help him make a list of protein sources and other foods to include in shopping and meal plans.

    • 3

      Talk to your family about planning, changes and other issues related to your child eating a vegetarian diet. Discuss ways the family may participate, such as several vegetarian meals each week. Ask your child to decide on additional chores she will do to help compensate for the extra time you need to prepare her meals if she cannot fix her own food.

    • 4

      Talk to your doctor or schedule a consultation with a nutritionist trained in vegetarian diets. Discuss any special needs your child̵7;s health places on his diet.

    • 5

      Help your child create meal plans. Make sure the selections contain adequate protein, iron, vitamin B12, calcium and zinc, advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Include foods rich in vitamin D and riboflavin, as children require them for healthy growth, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

    • 6

      Schedule routine doctor examinations to assess adequate weight gain and discuss any health issues.

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