What suggestions would you give to a mother who would like her 5-year-old child to follow a vegetarian diet?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary.

    At the forefront of nutritional concerns for vegetarians are riboflavin, vitamins D and B-12, calcium, iron, and zinc.  A major source of riboflavin, vitamin D, and calcium in the typical North American diet is milk, which is omitted from the vegan diet. However, riboflavin can be obtained from green leafy vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, yeast, and legumes-components of most vegan diets. Alternate sources  of vitamin D include fortified foods (e.g., soy milk) and dietary supplements, as well as regular sun exposure. Calcium-fortified foods are the vegan's best option for obtaining calcium. These include fortified soy milk, fortified orange juice, calcium rich tofu (check the label), and certain ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, breads, and snacks. Green leafy vegetables also contain calcium, but it is not well absorbed. Dietary supplements provide another option for meeting calcium needs (see Part 4). It is important to read supplement labels and to plan supplement use carefully because a typical multivitamin and mineral supplement supplies only 25 to 45% of daily calcium needs.

    Vitamin B-12 occurs naturally only in animal foods. Plants can contain soil or microbial contaminants that provide trace amounts of vitamin B-12, but these are negligible sources of the vitamin. Therefore, vegans need to eat food fortified with vitamin B-12 or take supplements to protect against deficiency.

    Infants and children are at highest risk of nutrient deficiencies as a result of poorly planned vegetarian diets. However, with the use of complementary proteins and good sources of the problem nutrients discussed earlier, the energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral needs of vegetarian and vegan infants and children can be met. The most common nutritional concerns for infants and children following vegetarian and vegan diets are deficiencies of iron, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, zinc, and calcium.

    Vegetarian and vegan diets tend to be high in bulky, high fiber, low calorie foods that cause fullness. Although this side effect can be a welcome advantage for adults, children have a small stomach volume and relatively high nutrient needs for their size and may feel full before their energy needs are met. For this reason, the fiber content of a child's diet may need to be decreased by replacing high fiber sources with some refined grain products, fruit juices, and peeled fruit. Including concentrated sources of energy, such as fortified soy milk, nuts, dried fruits, and avocados, can help meet calorie and nutrient needs.

    Overall, vegetarian and vegan diets can be appropriate during infancy and childhood. However, to achieve normal growth and ensure adequate intake of all nutrients, these diets must be implemented with knowledge and, ideally, professional guidance