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Vegetarian Kids The milk they drink is made of soy, and so are the corn dogs. Beef or fish is no where to be in the fridge, and you can forget the turkey. Some kids, like six-year old Billy and eight-year old Kathy, are content with their vegetarian diet. “Cause I don’t like eating the veins of turkey and stuff, and the muscles, yuk, says Kathy. “And the bones!!!, said Billy. But are kids who are raised on vegetarian diets healthy? Some experts said that depends. Dietician Nancy Anderson says, “They can fall short in other nutrients like calcium, which is essential for bones, zinc, B-12,...and iron.” Anderson also suggested that parents seek advice from professional dieticians and rely on information from reputable publications that have been published by a major university or medical school. Otherwise, there is the risk of making decisions based on less than accurate information. In a world where hamburgers and other meats are a major part of most kids diets, many vegetarian children, like Kathy, may question their cuisine and sometimes taste test. “Cause it’s sort of hard trying not to eat chicken, cause I sort of like it,” she said. |
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Pros and Cons Vegetarianism is full of pros and cons, especially with regard to the nutritional needs and development of children. On the pro side, there are those who believe that because vegetarians are usually thinner, this will decrease the chance of diabetes, hypertension and stroke and they will have overall better health. On the con side, there is the common argument that it is hard to get vital nutrients from a vegetarian diet. Children would have to eat such large quantities to get the same amounts contained in meat, and because they are picky eaters it is unlikely that they will eat enough. (Note: Information obtained from EarthCare Newsletter) |
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What Parents Should Know When kids are vegetarian it is often because their parents are, and have chosen to raise them the same way. If you decide to put your children on a vegetarian diet, there is some important nutritional information to keep in mind. There is major concern that nutritional elements are missed from not eating meat. It is important that these nutrients are picked up somewhere else. In an article on vegetarian kids from www.ivillage.com, writer Sue Gilbert outlines some of the factors that need special consideration when converting children to a vegetarian diet. 1) Energy – foods with large amounts of calories needed; 2) Protein – can be obtained from eggs and dairy products; 3) Vitamin B12 – primarily obtained from fortified foods; 4) Vitamin D – available in fortified milk products and from sunlight; 4) Iron – typically not a problem if large amounts of Vitamin C are also present; 5) Calcium – for vegans, calcium supplements should be given. Make every effort to gather information. This will help to ensure that your child has a balanced diet that includes the necessary nutrients for proper growth. |
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