Guest guest Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 My 18 month old has been a lacto ovo vegetarian since his existence came about. I seem to have been misinformed by old knowledge of protein combining (our wonderful pediatrician must not have got the memo...)so my little guy has been eating protein combos since he has been about 12 months and tons of fruit and nuts and veggies of course. But I was looking for more information on this. (Reading previous posts I see that protein combos are unnecessary). I would like to be sure that he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Does any one have a vegetarian food pyramid, or something along those lines? Also, he has a ton of energy but I am always concerned about his iron (our pediatrician has told me some horror stories about her vegetarian patients becomming anemic) so I guess this is where my concerns stem from. What are some great foods that are high in iron? and does any one know any toddler friendly recipes that I can use iron rich foods in? Should I have him on a multi-vitamin that includes iron to be safe? He is a very healthy baby, has never been sick (he had the sniffles once, eats only 'whole' foods, is always energetic, hits all his milestones, and instinctually I feel that he knows what his body needs and will gravitate towards what foods he needs as long as I provide the right options for him (fast food, processed foods are non existant in our diet 99% of the time. I get a great deal of lectures from in laws and our pediatrician so I was just hoping to get a little more information and knowledge on these topics or any other information you guys have. Thanks so much! Tracy ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 I posted a referal to this book on a post last week so I hope folks will forgive my redundancy but I love it and it seems appropriate for here too. It's the PCRM's book called " Healthy eating for life for children. " You can buy it on their website at Www.pcrm.org and click on shop. It's got all the answers you need on how to feed a toddler a vegetarian/vegan diet. It's got a special section just for toddlers. And a bunch of recipies too. It really helps me feel confident about feeding my kids a vegetarian diet. You might want to get a copy for your in-laws and pediatrician too if they'd be open to learning more on the subject. Good luck! Rachel P.S. My ped gave us a little well-intentioned grief about the iron thing too since our kids are vegan. I was thrilled when the tests came back perfectly normal. My friend's son (who eats meat and dairy) got tested too and his came back really low. So, for what it's worth, meat apparently is not the cure all some claim it to be. P.p.s. About 6 months after the test we started giving a multi- vitamin (mostly for the B12) but it's got iron in it too. We like the VegLife vegan kids multivitamin. Sent from my iPhone On Jan 30, 2009, at 10:08 PM, tbozek77 <tbozek77 wrote: > My 18 month old has been a lacto ovo vegetarian since his existence > came about. I seem to have been misinformed by old knowledge of > protein combining (our wonderful pediatrician must not have got the > memo...)so my little guy has been eating protein combos since he has > been about 12 months and tons of fruit and nuts and veggies of course. > But I was looking for more information on this. (Reading previous > posts I see that protein combos are unnecessary). I would like to be > sure that he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Does any one have > a vegetarian food pyramid, or something along those lines? > > Also, he has a ton of energy but I am always concerned about his iron > (our pediatrician has told me some horror stories about her vegetarian > patients becomming anemic) so I guess this is where my concerns stem > from. What are some great foods that are high in iron? and does any > one know any toddler friendly recipes that I can use iron rich foods > in? Should I have him on a multi-vitamin that includes iron to be > safe? > > He is a very healthy baby, has never been sick (he had the sniffles > once, eats only 'whole' foods, is always energetic, hits all his > milestones, and instinctually I feel that he knows what his body needs > and will gravitate towards what foods he needs as long as I provide > the right options for him (fast food, processed foods are non existant > in our diet 99% of the time. I get a great deal of lectures from in > laws and our pediatrician so I was just hoping to get a little more > information and knowledge on these topics or any other information you > guys have. > > Thanks so much! > Tracy ) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 Hi Traci, It sounds like you are doing everything right. If you are concerned about iron, you can give you toddler a supplement two or three times a week; if you are really concerned, then have his blood checked (this will have the added advantage of proving to others that your son is just fine). Robin --- On Sat, 1/31/09, tbozek77 <tbozek77 wrote: tbozek77 <tbozek77 My vegetarian toddler Saturday, January 31, 2009, 12:08 AM My 18 month old has been a lacto ovo vegetarian since his existence came about. I seem to have been misinformed by old knowledge of protein combining (our wonderful pediatrician must not have got the memo...)so my little guy has been eating protein combos since he has been about 12 months and tons of fruit and nuts and veggies of course. But I was looking for more information on this. (Reading previous posts I see that protein combos are unnecessary) . I would like to be sure that he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Does any one have a vegetarian food pyramid, or something along those lines? Also, he has a ton of energy but I am always concerned about his iron (our pediatrician has told me some horror stories about her vegetarian patients becomming anemic) so I guess this is where my concerns stem from. What are some great foods that are high in iron? and does any one know any toddler friendly recipes that I can use iron rich foods in? Should I have him on a multi-vitamin that includes iron to be safe? He is a very healthy baby, has never been sick (he had the sniffles once, eats only 'whole' foods, is always energetic, hits all his milestones, and instinctually I feel that he knows what his body needs and will gravitate towards what foods he needs as long as I provide the right options for him (fast food, processed foods are non existant in our diet 99% of the time. I get a great deal of lectures from in laws and our pediatrician so I was just hoping to get a little more information and knowledge on these topics or any other information you guys have. Thanks so much! Tracy ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 OMG it just steams me to hear you get lectures from anyone, it sounds like you are doing SUCH a great job feeding your kid. about what I aspire to but don't usually make (my four year old LOVES mac and cheese, something that somehow crept into her diet, something I USED to make from steaming zuchini and yellow squash and putting that in a blender with soy cheese to make the sauce but so help me she loves the one from the box now!) Anyway I would say follow your instincts like you say as long as you are providing a nice variety of healthy choices, let him decide what he eats and how much. If you're really worried about iron you could get him tested to see but its probably fine. I give my daughter a multi vitamin, feed her plenty of greens (yay green smoothies), and cook with iron pots here and there. It's also in fortified cereals and things so it's not as hard to come by as it might seem. Keep up the good work! :-) Dee On Jan 30, 2009, at 10:08 PM, tbozek77 wrote: > My 18 month old has been a lacto ovo vegetarian since his existence > came about. I seem to have been misinformed by old knowledge of > protein combining (our wonderful pediatrician must not have got the > memo...)so my little guy has been eating protein combos since he has > been about 12 months and tons of fruit and nuts and veggies of course. > But I was looking for more information on this. (Reading previous > posts I see that protein combos are unnecessary). I would like to be > sure that he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Does any one have > a vegetarian food pyramid, or something along those lines? > > Also, he has a ton of energy but I am always concerned about his iron > (our pediatrician has told me some horror stories about her vegetarian > patients becomming anemic) so I guess this is where my concerns stem > from. What are some great foods that are high in iron? and does any > one know any toddler friendly recipes that I can use iron rich foods > in? Should I have him on a multi-vitamin that includes iron to be > safe? > > He is a very healthy baby, has never been sick (he had the sniffles > once, eats only 'whole' foods, is always energetic, hits all his > milestones, and instinctually I feel that he knows what his body needs > and will gravitate towards what foods he needs as long as I provide > the right options for him (fast food, processed foods are non existant > in our diet 99% of the time. I get a great deal of lectures from in > laws and our pediatrician so I was just hoping to get a little more > information and knowledge on these topics or any other information you > guys have. > > Thanks so much! > Tracy ) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 HI- re: the Iron Issue: You could put this issue to rest once and for all by getting your toddler's iron levels tested to rule out deficiency ( via blood test). I myself think this is unnecessary as iron levels are more a function of one's own body chemistry and absorption, it seems, than whether or not one eats meat. In fact, most of what I've read recently indicates that vegetarians eat more iron, on average, than meat eaters do. As for your doctor, I think she is woefully misinformed on a) the iron front, and b) the nutrition front. This is not her fault, as medical schools do not usually require courses on nutrition (I think this is something that may be changing, ever so slowly; let's hope, anyway!). Medical school (at least the MD type, not so much the DO type) gives its students a very narrow perspective on many, many issues. This is something to consider if you're looking to them on advice on any number of health topics. As for iron-containing foods, I think a great place to start is Dr. Joel Fuhrman. He has a website if you don't have any of his books, but he does write books specifically about children's nutrition issues, including vitamins, etc. I could give you more info, but I loaned his book out to a friend...Much of his info is on his website. But a short list of foods containing loads of iron (many of these have WAY more than meat): figs, molasses, beets, brown rice, spinach and dark greens,whole grains, eggs, grapes, raisins, yams, almonds, beans. Also if you're concerned, have your toddler eat some manganese and Vit C rich foods to improve iron uptake: whole grains, greens, legumes, nuts, pineapples, citrus, cruciferous veggies, tomatoes, and green peppers. All in all, I would not give your toddler's nutrition a single worry- beyond that feeding him/her a veg diet is going to make them 150% healthier and stronger than the average toddler who exists on chicken nuggets, ketchup, and french fries. It is the parents who feed their kids THAT garbage who should be so concerned, but obviously, none of them are. Unfortunately, the conventional wisdom is that the vegetarians have to be 'careful' and it's an alternative lifestyle worthy of extra scrutiny by health professionals. Sometimes, conventional wisdom, well, sucks. That's one reason it's so conventional. Feeling a bit testy today, jenni --- On Fri, 1/30/09, tbozek77 <tbozek77 wrote: tbozek77 <tbozek77 My vegetarian toddler Friday, January 30, 2009, 10:08 PM My 18 month old has been a lacto ovo vegetarian since his existence came about. I seem to have been misinformed by old knowledge of protein combining (our wonderful pediatrician must not have got the memo...)so my little guy has been eating protein combos since he has been about 12 months and tons of fruit and nuts and veggies of course. But I was looking for more information on this. (Reading previous posts I see that protein combos are unnecessary) . I would like to be sure that he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Does any one have a vegetarian food pyramid, or something along those lines? Also, he has a ton of energy but I am always concerned about his iron (our pediatrician has told me some horror stories about her vegetarian patients becomming anemic) so I guess this is where my concerns stem from. What are some great foods that are high in iron? and does any one know any toddler friendly recipes that I can use iron rich foods in? Should I have him on a multi-vitamin that includes iron to be safe? He is a very healthy baby, has never been sick (he had the sniffles once, eats only 'whole' foods, is always energetic, hits all his milestones, and instinctually I feel that he knows what his body needs and will gravitate towards what foods he needs as long as I provide the right options for him (fast food, processed foods are non existant in our diet 99% of the time. I get a great deal of lectures from in laws and our pediatrician so I was just hoping to get a little more information and knowledge on these topics or any other information you guys have. Thanks so much! Tracy ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2009 Report Share Posted January 31, 2009 There's an article at VRG.org by Dr. Reed Mangels, RD, Ph.D. which will more than likely answer any questions you might have about feeding your toddler. There is also a chart on foods to feed children included in the article. You can find it at: http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/kids.htm Hope this helps. God's Peace, Gayle " Individual, small acts of goodness are gifts every single person can produce and distribute seven days a week. " ~ Jim Kok - tbozek77 Saturday, January 31, 2009 1:08 AM My vegetarian toddler My 18 month old has been a lacto ovo vegetarian since his existence came about. I seem to have been misinformed by old knowledge of protein combining (our wonderful pediatrician must not have got the memo...)so my little guy has been eating protein combos since he has been about 12 months and tons of fruit and nuts and veggies of course. But I was looking for more information on this. (Reading previous posts I see that protein combos are unnecessary). I would like to be sure that he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Does any one have a vegetarian food pyramid, or something along those lines? Also, he has a ton of energy but I am always concerned about his iron (our pediatrician has told me some horror stories about her vegetarian patients becomming anemic) so I guess this is where my concerns stem from. What are some great foods that are high in iron? and does any one know any toddler friendly recipes that I can use iron rich foods in? Should I have him on a multi-vitamin that includes iron to be safe? He is a very healthy baby, has never been sick (he had the sniffles once, eats only 'whole' foods, is always energetic, hits all his milestones, and instinctually I feel that he knows what his body needs and will gravitate towards what foods he needs as long as I provide the right options for him (fast food, processed foods are non existant in our diet 99% of the time. I get a great deal of lectures from in laws and our pediatrician so I was just hoping to get a little more information and knowledge on these topics or any other information you guys have. Thanks so much! Tracy ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has rethought the food pyramid to go along with their " New Four Food Groups. " See attached links for more details. http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/food_groups.html http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/children.html Cheers, Mark - Gayle Nelson Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:08 PM Re: My vegetarian toddler There's an article at VRG.org by Dr. Reed Mangels, RD, Ph.D. which will more than likely answer any questions you might have about feeding your toddler. There is also a chart on foods to feed children included in the article. You can find it at: http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/kids.htm Hope this helps. God's Peace, Gayle " Individual, small acts of goodness are gifts every single person can produce and distribute seven days a week. " ~ Jim Kok - tbozek77 Saturday, January 31, 2009 1:08 AM My vegetarian toddler My 18 month old has been a lacto ovo vegetarian since his existence came about. I seem to have been misinformed by old knowledge of protein combining (our wonderful pediatrician must not have got the memo...)so my little guy has been eating protein combos since he has been about 12 months and tons of fruit and nuts and veggies of course. But I was looking for more information on this. (Reading previous posts I see that protein combos are unnecessary). I would like to be sure that he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Does any one have a vegetarian food pyramid, or something along those lines? Also, he has a ton of energy but I am always concerned about his iron (our pediatrician has told me some horror stories about her vegetarian patients becomming anemic) so I guess this is where my concerns stem from. What are some great foods that are high in iron? and does any one know any toddler friendly recipes that I can use iron rich foods in? Should I have him on a multi-vitamin that includes iron to be safe? He is a very healthy baby, has never been sick (he had the sniffles once, eats only 'whole' foods, is always energetic, hits all his milestones, and instinctually I feel that he knows what his body needs and will gravitate towards what foods he needs as long as I provide the right options for him (fast food, processed foods are non existant in our diet 99% of the time. I get a great deal of lectures from in laws and our pediatrician so I was just hoping to get a little more information and knowledge on these topics or any other information you guys have. Thanks so much! Tracy ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2009 Report Share Posted February 2, 2009 I like the Canadian Food Guide better than the US one (Focuses on fruits and veggies more than grains) and deemphasize protein since many, esp. in the US get too much. (they also state " Have meat alternatives such as beans, lentils and tofu often. " which is nice to see). http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/basics-base/quantit-eng.php Missie On Sun, Feb 1, 2009 at 6:40 AM, Mark Young <markvictoryoung wrote: > The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has rethought the food > pyramid to go along with their " New Four Food Groups. " See attached links > for more details. > > http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/food_groups.html > > http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/children.html > > Cheers, > Mark > > - > Gayle Nelson > > Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:08 PM > Re: My vegetarian toddler > > There's an article at VRG.org by Dr. Reed Mangels, RD, Ph.D. which will more > than likely answer any questions you might have about feeding your toddler. > There is also a chart on foods to feed children included in the article. You > can find it at: http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/kids.htm Hope this helps. > > God's Peace, > Gayle > " Individual, small acts of goodness are gifts every single person can > produce and distribute seven days a week. " ~ Jim Kok > > - > tbozek77 > > Saturday, January 31, 2009 1:08 AM > My vegetarian toddler > > My 18 month old has been a lacto ovo vegetarian since his existence > came about. I seem to have been misinformed by old knowledge of > protein combining (our wonderful pediatrician must not have got the > memo...)so my little guy has been eating protein combos since he has > been about 12 months and tons of fruit and nuts and veggies of course. > But I was looking for more information on this. (Reading previous > posts I see that protein combos are unnecessary). I would like to be > sure that he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Does any one have > a vegetarian food pyramid, or something along those lines? > > Also, he has a ton of energy but I am always concerned about his iron > (our pediatrician has told me some horror stories about her vegetarian > patients becomming anemic) so I guess this is where my concerns stem > from. What are some great foods that are high in iron? and does any > one know any toddler friendly recipes that I can use iron rich foods > in? Should I have him on a multi-vitamin that includes iron to be safe? > > He is a very healthy baby, has never been sick (he had the sniffles > once, eats only 'whole' foods, is always energetic, hits all his > milestones, and instinctually I feel that he knows what his body needs > and will gravitate towards what foods he needs as long as I provide > the right options for him (fast food, processed foods are non existant > in our diet 99% of the time. I get a great deal of lectures from in > laws and our pediatrician so I was just hoping to get a little more > information and knowledge on these topics or any other information you > guys have. > > Thanks so much! > Tracy ) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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