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What Could Go Wrong With A Veggie Diet

by — Last updated: 2014-03-12 in Nutrition & Dieting

Table of Contents

Vegetarianism can be very good for your children's health and for preventing diseases. But when it is not well planned, it can affect their physical and mental development. Here are some tips for you to make sure your kids' veggie diet is what they need.

The other side of the coin is when vegetarian children don’t have a properly designed diet, according to their nutritional needs. The first concern is obviously the protein intake.

Animal proteins are very different to proteins derived from plants and legumes, both in structure and quantity. The trick here is to consume a wide variety of plants in order to obtain proteins from several non-animal sources.

Bulky doesn't mean nutritious

Energy intake is also an important point to focus on, when designing a vegetarian diet for a child.

Vegetarian meals tend to be bulky, so it is not difficult for a children to be satisfied with a vegetarian dinner, prepared by mom. But beware, a full stomach doesn’t mean that the child is getting enough energy.

This is proven by references showing that vegetarian children tend to be smaller and lighter than non-vegetarians of the same age. This simply shows that energy requirements aren’t being fulfilled, affecting directly children’s growth.

Animal products also provide children with essential vitamins for their development, including vitamin D and B12. These are not present in plant foods in enough quantity for children to get them from a vegetarian diet, so it is very important to use vitamin supplements that ensure the intake of these vitamins and avoid long-term negative effects, specially on brain development and cognition.

Just as vitamins, essential minerals, such as iron and calcium can only be found in the right forms and quantities in meat, milk and dairy products. Supplements, as well as the consumption of soy products and iron rich vegetables, such as spinach, tomatoes and potatoes, can replace animal-derived minerals.

Should I be concerned about my vegetarian child?

Not at all. As long as parents are aware that they need to get professional assistance from pediatricians and nutritionists in order to make sure their children are properly nourished.

The most important thing when it comes to vegetarianism is to consume as many vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts, as you can.

See Also: Protein Rich Foods For Vegetarians

Don’t stick to potatoes and tomatoes, bananas and apples. Having variety in your children’s diet will ensure the fulfillment of protein, vitamins and mineral needs, and will help you prevent diseases related to undernourishment, such as scurvy, anemia, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, among others.

It is easier nowadays, with so many vegetarian food offered in the supermarket to prefer processed over natural products. However, using natural fresh food is always the best option and will help you in offering your children a well-balanced natural diet that will keep them healthy and happy.