Delaying the start of solids until the middle of the first year helps minimize allergies because it gives the baby's digestive system time to mature. There are many different reasons for choosing a vegetarian diet. Some people do so for the health benefits, while others do so for ethical reasons. There are also different forms of vegetarian eating. Macrobiotic diets emphasize cooked vegetables, cooked grains, and soy foods, while de-emphasizing fruits and raw vegetables.
Some vegetarian diets consist of strictly raw foods.
Vegans eat only plants. Many people follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, which means they include dairy products and eggs. When dairy products and eggs are included in the diet, the vegetarian family need follow no special guidelines for starting baby on solids. They would simply substitute plant proteins such as beans, tofu, and nut butters for meat. Milk, cheese, and eggs are also good sources of protein.