Fun Fact - Veggies

A vegetarian diet can be loaded with health benefits such as a decreased risk of cancer, diabetes and obesity.  It has also been shown that children fed a vegetarian diet are less likely to have allergies and gastrointestinal problems.  However, if you wish to feed your baby a vegetarian diet, you will need to work with his pediatrician to make sure he is getting the nutrition he needs.  It is particularly important that he gets enough iron, protein, fat, calcium and vitamin B12. 

   
Iron – a diet lacking in iron can cause your baby to feel weak or tired and can even cause her to become anemic.  Foods like lentils, beans, oats, spinach, broccoli and soy are good sources of iron.

Protein – is one of the building blocks for your baby’s growth.  Babies need a lot of protein to keep up with how fast they are growing.  Protein can be found in breast milk and formula, other sources include chickpeas, beans, soy, grains and some fruits and vegetables.

Fat – your baby should be getting about 40% of her calories from healthy fats.  Healthy fats are critical to brain and nervous system development.  In addition to breast milk and formula, healthy fats can be found in avocado, olive oil and coconut.

Calcium – if your baby doesn’t get enough calcium, her teeth and bones can become weak.  A calcium deficiency may even stunt her growth.  In addition to breast milk and formula, calcium can be found in broccoli, sweet potatoes and beans. 

Vitamin B12 – a deficiency of this vitamin is not good for the nervous system and can cause anemia.  Vegetarians often need a vitamin B12 supplement, because it is only found in breast milk, formula and animal products. 

*Always check with your baby’s pediatrician before giving any kind of supplement

Vegan and Macrobiotic

The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend feeding your baby a vegan or macrobiotic diet.  These diets are far too restrictive to meet your baby’s needs.  They do not contain enough vitamins, nutrients, energy, and minerals that are essential for a baby’s normal growth and development.  Feeding your baby a vegan or macrobiotic diet could result in failure to thrive. 

+ Add to my Recipe Box