Iron deficiency can be prevented, by eating foods high in iron such as beans, whole grains, green vegetables and dried fruits such as prunes and peaches. It is a good idea to go over a vegetarian child's diet with your doctor or dietitian to prevent any potential nutritional deficiency. I have gone through the possible nutritional deficiencies of vegetarian diets in children, but there is no doubt that there are very substantial, lifelong benefits to a properly balanced and supplemented vegetarian diet. Adult vegetarians tend to be less fat, have lower cholesterol, have lower blood pressure, less constipation and less osteoporosis than adults who eat meat in their diets. A vegetarian way of life is not a bad thing to get a child used to, especially knowing the associated definite long-term health benefits.
Adults often have trouble changing their eating habits.
Establishing healthy eating patterns early in life can contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle. The information provided in this site is designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to replace the advice and care of your child's physician, nor is it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect that your child has a medical condition, always consult a physician. 2001 Excite Canada Inc. All rights reserved.