iVillage

Raising a Vegetarian Kid

In a 2010 nationwide poll about 3 percent of kids ages 8 to 18 said they're vegetarians. Here's how to ensure your child gets balanced nutrition and variety in a meat-free diet (10 Photos)

Arricca SanSone on Oct 18, 2011 at 10:34AM

chime in now

Single View
View All

1 of 10

Eriko Koga/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Learn to Replace What's Being Dropped from Your Kid's Diet

You love a big, juicy burger once in a while but now your child has sworn off your famous meatloaf forever. You might be worried your child will miss out on necessary nutrients by avoiding meat, but that doesn’t have to be the case. “It’s a healthy lifestyle for any age if it’s well-balanced and appropriately planned,” says Vandana R. Sheth, R.D., a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “You do have to learn how to replace what’s being dropped from the diet,” says Sheth. “Research indicates a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and lower rates of diabetes than non-vegetarians.”

Discuss vegetarian living on the iVillage message boards

Filed Under:

Comments See all

What is your favorite meatless meal?