Such a diet, however, is so bulky that it is unlikely that enough food would be consumed to meet the energy needs of a young child and normal growth would not occur. Including milk and eggs in the diets of children is highly recommended. Vitamin D and calcium requirements may be difficult to meet without the inclusion of milk or a supplement. Protein Protein is the nutrient that seems to be of greatest concern to most new vegetarians. Although plant foods contain less of the essential amino acids than do similar quantities of animal food, a plant-based diet provides adequate amounts of amino acids when a varied diet is consumed on a daily basis.
Protein is a nutrient that provides the framework for all living cells.
It is made up of building blocks called amino acids which are necessary for building, maintaining and repairing of body tissues. About half of the known amino acids can be synthesized in the human body. The nine amino acids that cannot be synthesized must be provided by the foods eaten, and these are called essential amino acids. During digestion proteins are broken down and the resulting amino acids are stored in a common amino acid pool. The body draws on this pool 24 hours a day to get the amino acids it needs to make new protein for growth and repair of body tissue.