Among older kids, vegetarianism is cool . The key is to be both firm and explicit. Offer to pack lunch or snacks. If they are concerned about the child's health, get your doctor to talk to them or write a letter. Particularly for family members, if they sabotage your child s diet, you may have to tell them that, until they get their act together, they may not see your child unless you are there too.
Birthday parties can be a problem for the vegan child.
If your child is invited to a party, you need to talk to the host beforehand. If not, you will need to arrange to send an alternative treat with your child. An occasional empty food, such as a few pieces of Halloween candy or a slice of birthday cake, won t do much harm nutritionally if the basic diet is sound. Your child needs to get enough calories. Our need for B-12 is small, but the results of skimping on this micronutrient during childhood can be devastating.