The dangers of young children on a vegetarian diet and not getting protein?

a 7 year old girl not eating meat or any protein to me seems wrong. She doesn't eat legumes and I believe she needs protein for her body to develop properly. Does anyone have any information on the dangers of not getting enough protein and also the recommended amounts of it?The dangers of young children on a vegetarian diet and not getting protein?
They will be physically and mentally impaired.



Foods high in protein include tofu, tempeh, TVP, beans, nuts, seeds, soy milk, some vegetables (such as broccoli, asparagus, spinach, snowpeas, Brussels sprouts), eggs, and dairy products.
You can get protiens from eggs, if she'll eat those.The dangers of young children on a vegetarian diet and not getting protein?
I would not do that, does she drink milk? That has protein.

You should try asking her.
try nuts or soy products like soy milk or tofu in something creative...The dangers of young children on a vegetarian diet and not getting protein?
There are lots of sources of protein - dairy, rice etc. I was advised, when my daughter was young, that meat is a complex protein and if kids aren't eating meat you should combine simple proteins to make up for it, such as serving cereal proteins with dairy ones and so on.
Don't worry too much. We don't live in a third world country - your daughter isn't going to suffer much from a lack of protein.



I would give her cheese and eggs. Also there is protein in things you may not consider, like potatoes and bread.

Try her on baked beans too, those are actually pretty good, especially on wholegrain bread with proper butter on it and grated cheese.

Also peanut butter is great for veggie kids.
Protein is an important nutrient for growth, although it is not difficult for children to get enough provided a varied diet of sufficient food is eaten. The only foods that are notably low in protein are sugar, fruit, fats and oils.



Milk, cheese, free-range eggs, yoghurt, soya milk, tofu, beans, cereals/grains, nuts and seeds are all good sources of protein. Proteins must be balanced in order to get the right mixture of amino acids. Normal combinations of foods such as a cereal with beans or lentils, cereal with nuts, seeds or milk provide the right balance of protein.



http://www.vegsoc.org/info/childre2.html
You are right to worry about this but there are many ways for a vegetarian child to gain all her necessary protein, try lots of dairy products or quorn (meat replacement, very tasty!). However, if you are still worried and she is showing signs of fatigue and is very pale, take her to the doctors and explain the situation, it is possible for young children to take iron tablets in moderate doses and then providing she takes these. you need not worry.
There should be no danger if the child is getting protein from other sources, such as eggs, cheese, peanut butter, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains (quinoa is a complete protein), or by combining foods that will make a complete protein, such as beans and rice. Depending on the childs size and weight, she would need about 25 grams of protein a day-a couple of scrambled eggs would provide about 14 grams, and it could easily be rounded out with a cup of fresh yogurt (not the commercial garbage thats full of artificial stuf), a bean and rice taco or wrap, or a quinoa pilaf stir fry. Its a misconception that children "need" meat-they do not, as long as their diet is well balanced. Vegetable based protein is easy to get, and very easy for the body to assimilate. Your assertion that it is "wrong" is common to most people, since we are raised with meat at most every meal, and the meat industry has convinced us that we "need" it. My 13 year old daughter has been vegetarian most of her life (her choice), and her protein, vitamin and mineral levels are perfect-most "above normal" I have a blood profile done on her every year, and her pediatrician says he wishes more of his patients had her good health. There is protein in more vegetable based foods than most people realize, such as brocolli, asparagus, brussel sprouts, oatmeal, leafy greens, and a host of other veggie items. As long as the parent does the homework, and learns to feed the right combination of foods that include enough amino acids to form complete proteins, then the child should thrive. Protein from meat is very similar to our bodies own protein, and is harder to digest-it can stay in the digestive track for very long periods of time, where it ferments and rots-hardly beneficial for adults OR children. Vegetable protein breaks down and is assimilated quickly, making it a more bioavailable source of nutrition for the body. If there is a particular child you are concerned about, perhaps you could do some research and pass the information on to the responsible parent-WITHOUT judging them by calling it "wrong".
A 7 year old girl not eating meat or "any protein" would be wrong. But protein comes from a lot of sources besides meat and legumes. You don't say what she *is* eating, but if it includes dairy, eggs, grains, nuts, seeds and vegetables she's probably getting plenty of protein in her diet (assuming she's getting enough calories to meet her energy and growth needs.)
Is this your 7-year-old? If you have a child that has decided to become vegetarian it is your responsibilty as a parent to do some research and provide her with a healthy diet. Meat is not the only source of protein, almost everything we eat has some protein in it. There are many people who raise exceptionally healthy children on a vegan diet. According to the American Dietetic Association, "Well-planned vegan and other types of vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence." (J Am Diet Assoc. 2003 Jun;103(6):748-65.) I have met several healthy children who have been raised as vegans from birth.



If this is not your child, butt out, not your business.
Hog wash

you fail to investigate the the value of the subject

take the potato

As best as I can find there is from 7 th 12 grams of protein in a potato.. Bread is 4 grams

why bother %26gt;%26gt;%26gt;

It is their choice..
Protein is essential just like carbs and fats. You however can get plenty of protein from vegan sources like nuts and beans. I would also use brown rice and whole wheat as these are higher in protein and fiber. Quinoa is a complete protein in which I mix in with my rices and bread. You can also buy soy yogurts and tofu as well as seitan (wheat gluten which is high in protein). Broccoli is also 40% protein.



Now maybe she won't eat any of these which is unacceptable. I'd let her know if she wants to be vegan or vegetarian she is going to have to make compromises. If doesn't want to eat meat then fine but she will have to find an alternative or there is going to be a showdown of types.
There are a number of vegetarian foods that are high in protein, including almonds, black beans, cashews, fake meats, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), kidney beans, lentils, peanut butter, pinto beans, seitan, soybeans, soymilk, sunflower seeds, textured vegetable protein (TVP), and tofu.



Keep in mind that in India, many children are raised as vegetarians and they are perfectly healthy. Eating enough calories made up of a normal variety of plant foods provides us with all of the protein that we need.



More info:

http://pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vegetaria鈥?/a>
There are many ways to get protein besides meat; the main thing is to get the complimentary proteins. A peanut butter sandwich is a complete protein source as is mac and cheese.



Vegetarian kids are one thing but I do think it's VERY hard for kids to be Vegan and get enough protein. Dairy and eggs are great sources of protein.
You can get protein from things besides meat. Feed her eggs and nuts for the protein. Give her vitamins.



People who eat meat tend to eat too much of it anyway.
well if this girl is your daughter you should probably be a better parent and force her to eat her meat. If this person is someone you know you should tell them their kid could get very sick if she is not eating properly
She doesn't get any protein at all?



Golly, what does she eat? Nothing but sugar and butter?



If she eats three good meals a day and doesn't eat much junk food, there is absolutely no way that she is going to suffer any illness related to protein deficiency.



You have fallen prey to the protein myth.



Protein deficiency is virtually nonexistent in the US, UK or any other developed nation. Health risks due to overconsumption of protein and animal fat, on the other hand, are quite prevalent.
Humans only require 5-6% of their calories to be from protein. And you don't need to fret - there's amino acids (the building blocks of protein) in every plant food under the sun.



Protein is also available from nuts, seds, egg and dairy (but do try to avoid eggs and dairy - lots of cholesterol and saturated fat in there.) Get her some banana or mango flavoured dessert tofu - it's just like pudding, yummy like dessert, and a great source of protein.



Best of luck!
thats tough...maybe she doesnt want to eat them becasue she nows they were once animals..tell her the conciquences of not eating meat and tell her she could get sick. If that doesnt work if she does any sports or activities tell her that if she doesnt eat meat she wont be able to do them any more because she will beto weak to do them. If none of them work then you got urself a propblem...then your best bet would be to ask a doctor to explain what could happen with out meat...

GOOD-LUCK
WHy are you letting her!! sneak protein into her food, how? I guess buy a book for jerry seinfiedl's wife, it looks awesome!