Health Tip: Your Child Doesn't Eat Meat

(HealthDay News) -- Some children go through a vegetarian phase -- declaring that they''ll never eat meat again.

Whether this is a lasting dietary change or a fleeting fancy, you need to make sure your child''s eating regimen is sufficiently varied.

Akron Children''s Hospital suggests you include the following nutrients in your child''s diet:

• Calories and fat: peanut butter, nuts, cheese, sunflower seeds, and soy products.
• Protein: legumes, meatless chili, and dairy and soy products.
• Calcium: milk and orange juice, tofu and dark green, leafy vegetables.
• Iron: enriched grains, legumes, and dried fruit.
• Vitamin B12: fortified soy milk, and some breakfast cereals.
• Zinc: legumes, hard cheeses, whole grain products, wheat germ, nuts and tofu.

-- Felicity Stone

Last Updated: Oct. 19, 2005