Tips for Raising a Vegetarian Child

(454 Words)
Raising a vegetarian is complex, but can be accomplished successfully. The following steps should be taken to aid in this process.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician
Many start with discussing their child’s eating habits with their child’s doctor. There should not be any reason why most children cannot be raised as vegetarian, but you may want to talk to him or her first to make sure that there are no special issues with your child. If he or she does not accept the idea, you may want to consult a different doctor for a second opinion.
Do your research
The nutritional needs of children are very different than those of adults. You want to make sure that your vegetarian child is getting enough nutrients. There are different books that discuss the diets of children who follow this diet.
You should also look up information about the different meat substitute products. The natural ones can be great, but some of the processed ones can be detrimental (as many processed foods can be). Be informed about any issues.
Make sure that your child gets a wide variety of foods
When you cut out meat, you want to make sure that your child still gets a wide variety of foods. Of course fruits and vegetables are the most important, and these are obviously vegetarian. Many vegetarians will have a decent amount of dairy to help provide the protein. Look for other foods with protein such as beans and nuts.
Be creative in your foods
Do not just serve your child plain foods without the meat. Take the time to make food fun for your child. There are many great vegetarian cookbooks, and some of them have amusing foods for kids. You can subscribe to a magazine such as Vegetarian Times. You can also let your child cook with you, which he or she may find enjoyable.
Deal with the social and emotional aspects of raising a vegetarian child
You probably made the decision yourself to become a vegetarian, but it is different when you are born into it. Your child will likely start to question it. You may want to make some decisions first as to what you are going to do if your child wants to eat meat. You can explain the reasons (in age-appropriate terms) as to why you have decided to be a vegetarian and why he or she is.
One way to help your child is to try to find other parents and children who are vegetarian. This can help a child feel connected to others.
Being a vegetarian is a wonderful thing to do for both animals and the environment. The above tips can help you raise your child in this fashion.