The frequency of meals in a young child's diet greatly assists in providing a variety of amino acids to be available for protein synthesis throughout the day. Legumes, grains, soy products, meat analogues, nut butters, dairy products, and eggs are all concentrated protein sources. Vegetarian children may get a significant amount of their protein requirement from grains and vegetables simply because of the large number of servings eaten per day. Low-fat soy milk and rice milk contain low levels of fat and protein. If these products are used parents must be sure children are getting adequate fat and protein from other dietary sources.
Infants get adequate fat and protein from breastmilk or infant formula.
Full-fat soy milk is generally recommended for young children. Breastfeeding a child during the second year of life helps assure adequate fat and protein intake as well. It should not be assumed that all vegan diets are low fat. Vegan foods such as some baked goods, some non-dairy desserts, nuts, oils and french fries are high in fat. Calcium Osteoporosis prevention appears to be enhanced by achieving maximum bone mass in the first years of life.