7 nutrients that are indispensable for a vegetarian child

Is there any way for a child to still absorb the full amount of nutrients when he is a vegetarian? Let aFamilyToday Health follow the article below to find the correct answer for yourself!

You fear that when applying a vegetarian diet, your baby will not absorb all the necessary nutrients for the body. Don't worry too much because as long as you feed your baby a variety of foods, he'll be healthy! However, there are a few small notes for you.

1. Calcium supplementation when not drinking milk

If you can't get calcium from dairy products, you'll need to eat a variety of other calcium-rich foods. Breakfast cereals, soy milk or calcium-rich orange juice are great choices for your baby.

Some other foods that contain calcium include certain types of beans, green vegetables, nuts, nuts and tofu. If you do not take the calcium-rich foods listed above, ask your doctor for advice on how to take a daily calcium supplement.

2. Supplement vitamin D

Adequate supply of calcium and vitamin D is very important in keeping your baby's bones and teeth strong, especially in young adults. If a vegetarian diet uses cow's milk products, parents should switch to soy milk or breakfast cereal.

3. Add iron

Iron deficiency is not a problem for people who eat a wide variety of foods. Our body does not absorb iron from plants as it does from meat. Therefore, it is important for vegetarians to regularly eat iron-rich foods.

Good sources of iron include peas and lentils, dark green leafy vegetables and iron-fortified grain products. You should also give your child foods rich in vitamin C that will help the body absorb iron.

4. Supplement with vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is only found in animal meat. If your baby is vegan, you must rely on foods that are fortified with this vitamin (such as soy milk and breakfast cereals) or supplement your baby with supplements. Vitamin B12 supplementation is also especially important for vegetarian or lactating women .

5. Protein

When considering whether to adopt a vegetarian diet or not, many people worry that they won't get enough protein. However, rest assured because some protein-rich foods such as soybeans, beans, cereals, nuts and seeds will still provide enough protein for your baby.

6. Omega-3 fatty acids

If you don't eat fish or eggs, you need to find other sources of omega-3 fatty acids for your baby such as flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, green vegetables or soybean oil.

7. Zinc

Your baby's body absorbs zinc from meat much better than from plants. However, you can still give your child foods high in zinc such as whole grain breads, legumes, lentils, and soy foods and vegetables.

aFamilyToday Health hopes to become a useful source of information for you and your family about vegetarianism in children.