Vegetarian Diets for Infants & Toddlers

A vegetarian diet is an eating plan where you omit meat for ethical, medical or other reasons. Some vegetarians might include dairy and eggs in their diets, and some vegetarians, called vegans, adhere to foods only from the plant kingdom. Though it can be challenging at times, choosing a vegetarian diet for an infant or toddler can be harmonious with healthy nutrition.

Nutritional Importance

Children need good nutrition for the important infant and toddler growing years. Nutrients such as calcium, iron and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for a growing child. Supplements like vitamins can be given, and foods high in vitamins and minerals should offered. Parents should plan highly nutritious plant-based meals for their growing vegetarian child. Parents should also limit treats, such as sugar desserts, like non-vegetarians. Cow's milk can be given to vegetarian children for calcium, and flaxseed oil has omega-3 fatty acids like fish.

Infants

Infant nutrition comes primarily from breast milk or formula for the first year of life. Around 6 months, solids can be introduced. A baby's first foods are easy to digest and pureed with breast milk or formula. Sweet potatoes, carrots, peas and other well-cooked vegetables are examples of first foods or solids for all infants, vegetarian or not. Once an infant can sit up properly and hold food with her fingers, finger foods such as cut up bananas and cooked beans can be offered. The first foods for infants are similar for vegetarians and meat eaters, and most infant nutrition still comes from breast milk or formula.

Toddlers

Toddlers, which are children ages 1 to 3, are transitioning from breast milk or formula to family foods and exploring different textures and tastes. Family who choose vegetarian diets offer breads, cereals, vegetables, fruits, beans and meat alternatives. Meat alternatives can include tofu, soy meat or nut butters. Like non-vegetarian children, foods should be well-cooked and pureed until the toddler can chew and swallow well. Homemade food is preferable to commercially made food.

MIsconceptions

A vegetarian diet is not just about the moral implications of food; it is a health decision. With concerns about outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, vegetarianism for toddler and infants can be the right decision. Children from infancy to age 3 can receive all their nutrients from plants, even protein and iron. Parents can offer many vegetarian, protein-rich foods such as lentils and peanut butter, and plant-based proteins are cholesterol-free and high in fiber. Even the American Dietetic Association agrees that well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for children.