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Ency. home > Nutrition > V > Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism   

Overview | Recommendations

Alternative names:

Lacto-ovovegetarian; Semi-vegetarian; Partial vegetarian; Vegan; Lacto-vegetarian

Recommendations

Vegetarian diets that include some animal products (lacto-vegetarian and lacto-ovovegetarian) are nutritionally sound. Vegan diets require careful planning in order to obtain adequate amounts of required nutrients. The following are recommendations for feeding vegetarian children.

  • Breast milk or formula should be the basis of the diet until one year of age. (See Diet for Age)
  • Milk or a fortified soy formula should be used.
  • Fat should not be limited for a child less than two years of age.
  • For children not drinking milk or a fortified substitute, the following nutrients may be limited: calcium, protein, Vitamin D, riboflavin. These children may need a vitamin and mineral supplement.
  • Vitamin B12 must be supplemented if no animal products are consumed.
  • Adequate iron intake is difficult to achieve if meat is not consumed. Good sources of iron include prunes and prune juice, fortified cereals and grain products, and raisins and spinach.

Sample Vegan menu for a toddler.

Breakfast:
3/4 cup fortified (with calcium and vitamins) soy formula
1/2 cup cooked cereal
1/2 peach

Snack:
1 Tablespoon of peanut butter and crackers

Lunch:
Bean Burrito (1/2 flour tortilla with 1/4 cup beans)
1/4 cup steamed broccoli
peanut butter cookie (eggless)
3/4 cup fortified soy formula

Snack:
1/2 banana

Dinner:
1/2 cup spaghetti with 1/4 cup lentil spaghetti sauce
spinach salad with french dressing
1 slice of french bread with margarine

Bedtime snack:
3/4 cup of fortified soy milk
1/2 cup rice and 2 tsp. of molasses (good iron source)

Ency. home > Nutrition > V > Vegetarianism


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