Vegetarian Toddlers Can Be Just as Healthy!
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. Some of the advantages of a lifetime of well balanced vegetarianism include lower rates of common diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and cardiac problems. 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. 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. Some toddlers are picky eaters as well as having smaller appetites, and it can be a real challenge to coax them to consume the amount of beans and vegetables that will ensure they get the nutrients they need. Therefore, if you are raising a vegetarian toddler, make sure you serve up food that is packed with as many nutrients as possible.
Soybeans and tofu are a good source of protein for grownups and children over four. For toddlers, though, these foods should not comprise their main source of protein. Serve tofu or soybeans with soymilk that has been fortified with minerals and vitamins. In addition to providing some protein, it will also improve your toddler’s diet by providing calcium and vitamins A and D, which can frequently be hard to get in a vegan diet.
You will find iron in many vegetarian-friendly foods. Great sources of iron include kidney beans, green beans, spinach, and lima beans. However, iron from vegetables can be harder for the body to absorb than iron from animal products. 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.
Getting sufficient amounts of Vitamin B-12 may be especially hard for vegans. While vegetables contain some B-12 vitamins, the body does not easily absorb them. Your toddler’s doctor can recommend a B-12 supplement that’s appropriate for toddlers.
A meal plan that doesn’t take calcium into consideration can also be harmful to your little one’s health. Calcium helps make bones stronger and aids in proper growth and development. Give your toddler calcium-fortified soymilk, but check that it also contains other nutrients that your toddler needs for a balanced 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.
