While many people have the idea that giving a toddler a vegetarian diet isn’t safe, so long as parents take care to make sure that all the appropriate nutrients are met, it’s actually quite healthy. Some benefits to a lifelong, proper vegetarian diet include a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

The main concern with giving your toddler a vegetarian diet is ensuring your child gets enough calories and nutrients. Calories are important for making sure your toddler has the energy she needs to play and grow.

It can be challenging to develop a well-rounded vegetarian toddler menu that provides enough iron and protein. Since toddlers already have such a small appetite, it can be difficult to get them to eat enough vegetables or beans to receive all of their nutrients. Therefore, it is essential that vegetarian children are served nutrient-dense foods.

Tofu and soybeans are a great source of protein for adults and children over four. For toddlers, though, it shouldn’t be used as their main source of protein. In this case, compliment the tofu or soybeans that you serve with soymilk that has been fortified with vitamins and minerals. Not only will this help provide some protein, it will also help your toddler’s nutrition by providing calcium, and vitamins A and D, which can be difficult to get in a vegan diet.

Iron can be found in lots of vegetarian foods. Kidney beans, lima beans, green beans, and spinach are all great sources of iron. However, unlike iron obtained from animal sources, iron derived from vegetables can be difficult for your body to absorb properly. But serving a vitamin C rich food with those beans or spinach can make the iron easier for your toddler to absorb. Some great sources of vitamin C include tomatoes, oranges, broccoli, red peppers, and cantaloupe.

While it is possible to give a child a good vegetarian diet, it can take a lot of work. You may need to supplement your toddler’s diet to ensure they get all the nutrition that they need. Vitamin B-12 can be especially difficult for vegans to get enough of. While vegetables contain some B-12 vitamins, the body does not easily absorb these. Your toddler’s healthcare provider can help you decide on a B-12 suitable for toddlers.

A diet that does not provide calcium can also be detrimental to your child’s health. Calcium helps to make bones stronger and aids in proper growth and development. Choose soymilk that is calcium-fortified, but ensure that it is also fortified with other nutrients that your toddler needs for good nutrition.

There are a number of blogs available that will be able to provide further information, such as Food and Drink Information. Topics range from gluten free beer to how to make a great coffee.