Styled by Alice Colombo. Children are the fastest growing segment of vegetarians. When they choose the route unilaterally, their parents often seek reassurance that the diet is safe and search for ways to feed the whole family. Only experimentation will solve the dinner dilemma. But put away your worries about safety, says the American Dietetic Association.
Vegetarian diets can be healthful for people of all ages, including infants and toddlers.
All children need balanced diets, not just vegetarians. But the more food that's eliminated, the more careful you need to be. Diets for children who eat nothing but plant-based foods will require more careful planning than those for children who eat dairy and eggs. As a parent, you should assume the division of labor that comes with feeding children, says dietitian and social worker Ellyn Satter. Parents are responsible for what is presented to eat and the manner in which it is presented.