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.
Vegetarian diets differ from one child to another.
One may eat no animal products except fast-food cheeseburgers. Others may try to survive on yogurt and fruit. That said, childhood is the most critical time for children to consume adequate amounts of calcium. Children who consume milk should drink at least 2 cups per day. If your child won't consume dairy, consider some brands of non-dairy milk and check the labels on fortified cereals.