Vegetarian diet and your
Baby
Some parents choose a vegetarian diet for religious
or personal reasons. The question is can a baby be healthy
on a vegetarian meal plan. Yes, a baby can be healthy
if he is offered a variety of foods. Get your pediatrician's
advice on the meal plan and the special needs or concerns.
Different eating plans require different considerations
to ensure baby doesn't lose out on nutrients.
Ovo-lacto vegetarian diet. This diet includes dairy
products with eggs. When on solids baby needs adequate
amounts of food that contains protein, iron and vitamin
B12. egg whites should be introduced when baby turns
1 to prevent the development of egg allergy.
Lacto-vegetarian diet. Dairy foods are part of this
diet but without the eggs. Again, adequate amounts of
protein, iron and B12 is a must.
Vegan diet. This diet excludes all animal products including
dairy products and eggs. Baby must receive adequate
amounts of protein, calcium, iron and B12. iron enriched
cereals and grains should be included in baby's diet;
serve vitamin C rich foods to enhance iron absorption.
Soy products are rich in protein and many are enriched
with calcium and B12 and the baby may like tofu, textured
protein foods, soy milk. Pureed beans, lentils and split
peas are other good sources of protein.
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