Vegetarian diets in children
Vegetarian diets
in children
By: Cathryn
Curtin
Infant feeding
Particular attention is needed for vegetarian mothers that breast
feed when infants may be at risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency.
For most well and healthy children a vegetarian diet can provide a healthy
and nutritious alternative to a diet including meat. Breast feeding
mothers need an adequate diet with particular attention paid to Vitamin
D, (margarine and butter, eggs, cheese), calcium (cow milk and fortified
soy products) and iron (fortified cereals, grains, legumes, green leafy
vegetables) intakes. Vitamin B12 may need to be supplemented in vegan
mothers.
What problems may occur with a vegetarian
diet?
Areas of concern for vegetarian children include:
- Energy for growth,
- Providing an adequate iron intake,
- Identifying sources of vitamin B12,
- Obtaining enough vitamin D and calcium,
- Ensuring a plentiful supply of suitable fats,
Having food in an appropriate form and combination
to make sure nutrients can be digested and absorbed by the child.
What foods should I include?
For young children with high-energy needs, and smaller stomach capacity,
it is important to find the balance between a diet high in fibre and
foods that are higher in nutrient and energy density. This may mean
including both unrefined and refined cereals particularly infant cereals
such as infant rice cereal as well as high-energy additions to food
such as full fat dairy products, nut butters and avocado.
There are different types of vegetarians, largely
determined by the foods that the vegetarian does not eat, rather than
the foods they do. The type of diet most commonly associated with significant
nutritional problems in children is the vegan diet.
Suitable beans and legumes may include:
- Baked beans
- Lentils
- Chick peas (hummus)
- Red kidney beans
- Lima beans
- Navy beans
- 3 bean mix
- Haricot beans
Definitions of Vegetarian Groups
| Vegetarian Type | Foods Excluded | Protein Sources |
| Partial
Vegetarian
| Red meat, offal | Poultry, fish, eggs
milk, cheese, yoghurt beans, legumes, pulses, nuts |
| Lacto-Ovo
Vegetarian | Red meat, offal, fish, poultry | Milk, cheese, yoghurt
eggs, beans, legumes, pulses nuts |
| Lacto-
Vegetarian | Red meat, offal, poultry, fish,
eggs | Milk, cheese, yoghurt
beans, legumes, pulses nuts |
| Vegan | Red meat, offal, poultry, fish,
eggs, milk, cheese, yoghurt | Beans, legumes, pulses,
nuts, soy products eg. tofu Practical hints for managing a vegetarian diet in children For any family considering a change to a vegetarian diet, or wanting to bring up a child following a vegetarian eating pattern, it is important to
Curtin is a qualified nurse, midwife and maternal and child health nurse specialising in assisting women during pregnancy, birth and parenting. She has over 32 years experience. Cathryn saw the need for families to have one on one support due to early discharge from hospital and ongoing support during the first few years of parenting. Cathryn and her team aim to provide individual care of the woman post birth. Cathryn’s expertise is in breast feeding, sleep and settling, support to women with Post Natal Depression, general parenting, family coaching and support. Cathryn can be contacted for consultation on www.cathryncurtin.com.au or consulting@cathryncurtin.com.au.
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Cathryn