A balanced vegetarian diet for toddlers

If your family is vegetarian, you need to be careful to serve balanced meals. Toddlers need lots of nutrients for their busy, growing bodies, and unless you take special precautions, your child may not get enough of the following:

• Minerals

• B vitamins

• Iron

• Calcium (in the case of a vegan diet)

Egg yolks and dark green vegetables are good sources of iron, and whole grains offer B vitamins. Also, children need much more fat in their diet: 30 to 50 per cent of their total calories than older children and adults. To make sure that your child is getting everything he needs, you might want to consult a nutritionist. Your healthcare provider can probably suggest one.