Vegetarianism is not something new in the modern world, as its foundations were laid back in antiquity, when people refused animal products for religious or economic reasons.
Over time, the main reason was the fact that it is inhumane towards animals. And if at once people preferred to simply refuse meat, now there are movements that do not eat fish, eggs and even milk.
Usually, society is neutral about the fact that adults choose this path for themselves, since this is their conscious decision. However, this is not acceptable for children who are not asked if they want to adhere to an identical point of view, and even if they are against it, they cannot go against the will of their parents.
In the scientific community there is no unequivocal opinion on this issue. It is recommended not to force children to follow the example of their parents. Other points of view are also discussed.
For example, pregnancy should be planned and carried out after the transition to a more traditional diet, or meat should be consumed only during lactation and complementary feeding of the baby, or after the child reaches school age. There are those who recommend waiting until the baby grows up to at least school age in order to decide on their own. Some psychologists do not recommend limiting meat to teenagers during puberty.
Two sides of the same coin
Studies that relate to vegetarianism for children do not affect situations where parents are categorical and even after the doctor’s recommendation they will not change their position. Conclusions can be addressed only to those parents who are ready to listen to the words of experts and, if necessary, agree to revise the child’s diet.
If we do not consider trivial religious and ethnic reasons, as well as the state of health, then often adults justify drastic changes in life with a desire to save the lives of animals and cite the results of statistical studies, historical references and other related information as “irrefutable” facts.
Such views cannot be called large-scale, but they exist in society, but they should be transferred to children with many reservations. Not to mention the fact that animal husbandry was founded and exists to provide an important food chain. Official evidence-based medicine considers this approach problematic, and in some situations dangerous. It is quite reasonable to believe that the conception of a child and subsequent pregnancy should take place with the transition to a classic diet.
In the last decade, studies have been carried out, on the basis of which conclusions are drawn that when compiling a competent daily diet, it is possible to provide the body with the necessary levels of vitamins and minerals. But firstly, the key word is “with the right”, because adherents of such a lifestyle, even with many years of experience, invest in this concept formed habits, the economic situation of the family, which often does not agree with the needs of a growing child’s body, which needs high-grade proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Such “experiments” of parents lead to serious metabolic disorders, which are manifested in children by a slowdown in mental and physical development. In the latter case, the first warning signals will be the following deteriorations:
- brittle hair;
- slow growth of teeth;
- brittle nails.
The potential harm is not limited to the above symptoms and is unlikely to be outweighed by the arguments of opponents. About three significant benefits of vegetarianism:
- greater consumption of fruits and vegetables, which meat-eaters often lack;
- no risk of raising blood cholesterol levels;
- leveling the risks of overweight.
In the latter case, it is more important to ensure that the body mass index does not decrease to a critical one. As for the cholesterol item, the benefits of a low cholesterol diet for adults have been questioned, and there is no evidence base for limiting cholesterol for children. It is unlikely that with the help of such an exotic lifestyle it will be possible to produce daily high-quality prevention of diseases, in particular, of the cardiovascular system.
Menu basics
If the above arguments about the dangers of vegetarianism for children did not convince parents who remained adherents of this lifestyle, then they should learn that the children’s diet should be seriously different from the adult, not only in portions. A growing child needs food rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and trace elements. Otherwise, it is possible to plant immunity in a matter of months and achieve the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract without any initial predisposition.
First of all, you need to pay attention to the fact that nutritionists have approved a diet using eggs and all dairy products. Raw food or strict forms of vegetarianism is really harmful for children, which fighters for the health of their offspring will have to put up with.
You should also remember the rule of the food pyramid. This means that with the exclusion of meat and fish, double efforts will have to be made to find energy-rich analogues with a high protein content. This role may suit:
- beans;
- seeds;
- nuts;
- eggs.
But even here there is a significant limitation. Not all of the above are allowed from the first days of complementary foods, which greatly aggravates the situation. Even relatively safe legumes are initially recommended to be pureed.
The second stumbling block is an acute lack of vitamin D. This is explained by the fact that not all milk formulas or complementary foods that replace them contain it in the required quantities, so you should pay attention to the composition of the mixture and the content of the vitamin in it, which ensures the growth of bone tissue and other vital functions.
Among the trace elements that are usually lacking in a growing organism in a special family, iron is the leader. Despite the fact that this microelement is found in vegetables and grains, its amount is much less than the content in meat.
In the child’s menu, it is also necessary to introduce dishes with a high content of vitamin C:
- tomatoes;
- citrus;
- juices;
- Bell pepper.
Products enriched with ascorbic acid, the child should receive at least twice a day.
In relation to whole grains, which are often a priority for adult vegetarians, they are indeed rich in fiber, but will cause a feeling of satiety before the required amount of food enters the stomach. As a result, the child often faces problems such as:
- bloating;
- nausea;
- pain syndrome in the abdomen.
Another caution about using whole grain supplements is blocking the absorption of certain micronutrients due to supersaturation with fiber, including vital ones:
- zinc;
- copper;
- iron.
Therefore, nutritionists insist on replacing with fortified flour, white rice and even white pasta.
An equally important principle is the rational distribution of fats due to significant energy losses. It is best to use a proven method – to season vegetable salads with vegetable oils. But here another danger arises – various food additives, which, with a cumulative effect, cause an allergic reaction.
Many manuals regarding the “green” food format say that proteins and carbohydrates should not be mixed in one meal. The common truth also applies to the children’s diet. There is only one reason for this – poor digestibility, which is reinforced by:
- colic;
- disorders of the digestive tract;
- dysbacteriosis.
Against the background of all of the above, do not forget about diversity, food should be different so as not to depress the child’s appetite. Additionally, you should control the water balance, which should be maintained by regular drinking:
- freshly brewed compotes;
- fruit drinks;
- juices;
- teas.
This will diversify the diet, as well as serve as an important source of vitamins and minerals.
Age scheme
Newborns who feed on formula milk or breast milk cause the least problems. In the second case, the mother should have a balanced diet. And in the first it is necessary to trace the balanced content of vitamins D and B12.
As a first complete nutritious complementary food, a standard list is recommended:
- vegetable or fruit purees;
- bean puree;
- cheese;
- yogurt;
- special cereals enriched with vitamins.
Things are much more complicated with children from one to three. Just at this time they are weaned from the breast or mixture, which significantly increases the risks of deficiency:
- gland;
- zinc;
- proteins.
If you do not pay attention to this aspect, then after a couple of months the therapist will notice a delay in mental or physical development relative to the age norm.
Separately, it is worth paying attention to children who prefer to eat only something specific. Of particular danger to them is a vegetarian diet, the diet of which is much more limited.
The final possible problem segment is the kindergarten age. At this stage, the menu of the child is almost no different from the adult. The only difference is in portions and calories. But not all kindergartens are ready to accommodate vegetarians.
The only exceptions are private institutions, where parents pass food every day with the pupil, or discuss the menu with the chefs in advance. It is better to clarify such a sensitive issue even at a preliminary interview.