Supplement for kids

[debbie1504]

My dear son just announced to us that he wishes to eat a vegetarian diet and considering his willingness to sit down with me and dicuss a meal plan with me, I see that he is committed to it. So we did some research together to learn more about a vegetarian diet. My question is are there any supplements for children that will provide key nutrients that are lacking eating a vegetarian diet? If yes, what are your recommendations? My son is 8 and is gluten free, dairy free. (food allergies)

[4elise]

Originally Posted by debbie1504

My dear son just announced to us that he wishes to eat a vegetarian diet and considering his willingness to sit down with me and dicuss a meal plan with me, I see that he is committed to it. So we did some research together to learn more about a vegetarian diet. My question is are there any supplements for children that will provide key nutrients that are lacking eating a vegetarian diet? If yes, what are your recommendations? My son is 8 and is gluten free, dairy free. (food allergies)

http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Vegan.../dp/1570671036

Your son sounds like my daughter who eventually won over many of the family! Including my husband and me!
Of course you should check with your pedetrician, but many docs in the west defer to dietians ... Do your research find one who sees children and one who can provide you the support you need as he is transitioning, be aware that wheat gluten is used in many processed meat replacements... The above book has resources for family, infant through childhood.... There is another great web site I will post vegan lunch box... Awesome! God bless you for respecting your child enough to listen to him and the stirrings of his heart toward compassion!

[mrscarrera]

My Husband, four children, and I have been vegan for over two years. I will say that it is very much a misunderstanding that you are not getting "all the nutrients" you need when you switch to veg diet from meat eating (and dairy eating diet). Regular American diet is so lacking in basic nutrition its no surprise there is a severe increase in cancers, heart disease and more ever year. Protein can be found in so many sources, its very likely you already have enough in your daily meals. The average person does not need that much protein, considering all but 1/6 of all protein your body needs, it gets from itself (your body recycles isn't that cool!) the other part you must get from aminos. B-12 is also a misconception. Most likely you and the rest of your family have had enough B-12 already to last a lifetime. I have heard some people have a difficulty absorbing it, so be sure to eat those foods that also help with b-12 absorption. But to be sure you can eat b-12 foods (like nutritional yeast, not to be confused with the yeast that you make bread with). Nutritional yeast is high in B-12 among other vitamins, and in two table spoons, has 9 grams of protein for those vegs who want that comfort of eating extra protein. I use several recipes containing nutritional yeast, because it has an "aged cheese" flavor to it. In fact it sits on my table a long with salt and pepper. I would avoid taking vitamins at all costs. Most vitamins are made with very dangers chemicals that over work your kidneys and your body (arsenic is found in most B-12 supplements). When you go from meat eater (dariy eater) to vegetarian or vegan, i would stock up on these three things: Nutritional Yeast, Cold milled flax seed oil (and or flax seed), and a veg fav Quinoa (I believe it is also gluten free). Happy Eating!

[4elise]

Originally Posted by mrscarrera

My Husband, four children, and I have been vegan for over two years. I will say that it is very much a misunderstanding that you are not getting "all the nutrients" you need when you switch to veg diet from meat eating (and dairy eating diet). Regular American diet is so lacking in basic nutrition its no surprise there is a severe increase in cancers, heart disease and more ever year. Protein can be found in so many sources, its very likely you already have enough in your daily meals. The average person does not need that much protein, considering all but 1/6 of all protein your body needs, it gets from itself (your body recycles isn't that cool!) the other part you must get from aminos. B-12 is also a misconception. Most likely you and the rest of your family have had enough B-12 already to last a lifetime. I have heard some people have a difficulty absorbing it, so be sure to eat those foods that also help with b-12 absorption. But to be sure you can eat b-12 foods (like nutritional yeast, not to be confused with the yeast that you make bread with). Nutritional yeast is high in B-12 among other vitamins, and in two table spoons, has 9 grams of protein for those vegs who want that comfort of eating extra protein. I use several recipes containing nutritional yeast, because it has an "aged cheese" flavor to it. In fact it sits on my table a long with salt and pepper. I would avoid taking vitamins at all costs. Most vitamins are made with very dangers chemicals that over work your kidneys and your body (arsenic is found in most B-12 supplements). When you go from meat eater (dariy eater) to vegetarian or vegan, i would stock up on these three things: Nutritional Yeast, Cold milled flax seed oil (and or flax seed), and a veg fav Quinoa (I believe it is also gluten free). Happy Eating!

Good input! And boy we share your love of 'Nuch' - Nutritional Yeast, yummy - I think when parents who are not making a change, and their children are trying to do so - it can be overwhelming to make such a significant shift in understanding issues related to protein, needs for supplements, etc. Also, as I had mentioned, few doctors in the US receive much training in nutrition - seems odd to me now - but it is true. So when seeking guidance about this issue it can be a challenge to find the right information that makes a parent feel they are providing what is needed for their child.

Since our daughter was the 'little child' that lead us - when she first was making these changes I felt like I didn't know what to cook for her, so I did lots of research. Like most Americans I focused on protein - and came up with a 'triple' protein loaf, tofu, wheat gluten and bean - that we still eat every day. Now we also use a lot of Tempeh, see things like brown rice as providing a great deal nutritional protein - it is a shift that has taken time - I love that our group is able to share their experience and knowledge with those who are either looking into this for a family member or for themselves.

Blessings,

[creationlover]

I just make sure my kids have a simple organic multi-vitamin with b-12, orange juice fortified with vitamin D and calcium, and eat healthy. They rarely get sick. I hope this isn't too simplistic.