Children may resist the less familiar greens, but often learn to enjoy them as part of a casserole or mixed vegetable recipe. When children choose not to drink it, parents are encouraged to offer foods that are fortified with vitamin D, which include cereals and soy milk. Iron is plentiful in red meat, but more difficult to get from plant sources, such as beans, broccoli, spinach, lentils, figs, raisins, and watermelon. To increase the absorption of iron from plant foods, add a little vitamin C, which aids absorption, to each meal. Look for cereals that are fortified with iron, too, Hudson said.
Parents can play a significant role in easing their child's adjustment.
For example, continue to offer traditional foods like a peanut butter sandwich, which is a favorite with non-vegetarians, too. Restaurants, including an increasing number of fast foot eateries that appeal to young people, offer meatless choices like veggie pitas or bean burritos. If a youth group is planning a cookout, include some veggie burgers. Parents also are encouraged to advise the family's health care professional about changes in their child's eating habits. The health care professional may recommend a consultation with a registered dietitian, who will be able to answer a parent's and child's questions and offer suggestions for meals and menus that will provide needed nutrients.