Sources include legumes, hard cheeses, whole grain products, wheat germ, nuts and tofu. Changing social attitudes and the growing acceptance of vegetarian lifestyles have made it much easier to raise families on plant-based diets, Baker says. I am getting more questions lately from parents on how to raise children as vegetarians, particularly Generation X'ers. Their desire seems to be based largely on concerns about the environment. And as consumers have begun to seek a wider variety of products, grocery stores and supermarkets have responded with greater selections.
Older preschoolers can wash vegetables, stir a fruit salad and help measure dry ingredients.
Try to stay calm about food refusals. Parents seeking more information about raising their children as vegetarians can turn to resources available at The American Dietetic Association. The ADA's Consumer Nutrition Hotline offers recorded food and nutrition messages and referrals to registered dietitians who offer individual and group nutrition counseling services. The Chicago-based ADA is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. With nearly 70,000 members, ADA serves the public by promoting nutrition, health and well-being.