(HealthDay News) -- Some children go through a vegetarian phase -- declaring that they'll never eat meat again.

Whether this is a lasting dietary change or a fleeting fancy, you need to make sure your child's eating regimen is sufficiently varied.

Akron Children's Hospital suggests you include the following nutrients in your child's diet:

• Calories and fat: peanut butter, nuts, cheese, sunflower seeds, and soy products.
• Protein: legumes, meatless chili, and dairy and soy products.
• Calcium: milk and orange juice, tofu and dark green, leafy vegetables.
• Iron: enriched grains, legumes, and dried fruit.
• Vitamin B12: fortified soy milk, and some breakfast cereals.
• Zinc: legumes, hard cheeses, whole grain products, wheat germ, nuts and tofu.