Anyone eating enough plant foods to provide needed calories for expending energy is getting enough protein. Vitamin B-12, essential for healthy nerve and blood cells, can be more difficult for some vegetarians to get. Vegans, those who eat only plants for food, should check the label on fortified soy milk and fortified cereal to make sure B-12 has been added. Sea vegetables, while still foreign to the American palate, can be purchased at natural food stores or Asian groceries. Calcium is a concern for growing bones.
Vitamin D is essential for processing calcium.
D-fortified soy milk. As with all teens, personal responsibility in nutritional health for vegetarians is very important. Supporting and aiding your teen s decision to become vegetarian is wonderful, but find ways to keep their well-being in their own hands. Encourage a subscription to Vegetarian Times or Veggie Life magazines. Above all work together to keep peace at the family table.