Raising a Vegetarian

With vegetarianism on the rise in America, more children and teens are beginning to migrate toward this dietary lifestyle, whether due to personal preference or parental influence. According to recent research released by the Centers for  Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one of every 200 kids now follows a vegetarian diet.

If your child or family wants to try vegetarianism, remember one important piece of advice before you begin planning your meals.

“A vegetarian diet can have great health benefits for children who are school age and older,” said Nancy Krebs, MD, Medical Director of the nutrition department at The Children’s Hospital. “A well-rounded vegetarian diet can include everything a child needs — protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals — so as long as parents provide a well-balanced diet, they do not need to be concerned about whether their child is getting enough of these nutrients. However, a vegetarian diet may inhibit the body’s ability to absorb iron, so I sometimes recommend an iron supplement for vegetarian kids.”

Creating Healthy Habits

As part of the well-balanced diet that Dr. Krebs recommends, she stresses the importance of including plenty of beans and legumes to ensure children get enough fiber and protein in their diets.

“As long as parents are mindful of providing children with plenty of options, kids can thrive on a vegetarian diet,” Dr. Krebs said. “Diets that are high in fruits and vegetables often lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer later in life.”

To learn more about nutritional services available at The Children’s Hospital, visit www.thechildrenshospital.org and search keyword “nutrition.”