What type of die should an adolescent take if she or he is a vegetarian???
What type of die should an adolescent take if she or he is a vegetarian???
Vegetarianism is a popular choice for many individuals and families. But parents may wonder if kids can safely follow a vegetarian diet and still get all necessary nutrients. Most dietary and medical experts agree that a well-planned vegetarian diet can actually be a very healthy way to eat.
But special care must be taken when serving kids and teens a vegetarian diet, especially if it doesn't include dairy and egg products. And as with any diet, you'll need to understand that the nutritional needs of kids change as they grow.
Types of Vegetarian Diets Before your child or family switches to a vegetarian diet, it's important to note that all vegetarian diets are not alike. Major vegetarian categories include:
- lacto-ovo vegetarian: eats no meat, poultry, or fish, but does eat eggs and dairy products (what most of us mean when we say "vegetarian")
- lacto-vegetarian: eats no meat, poultry, fish, or eggs, but does eat dairy products
- ovo-vegetarian: eats no meat, poultry, fish, or dairy products, but does eat eggs
- vegan: eats only plant-derived foods
And many other people are semi-vegetarians who have eliminated red meat, but may eat poultry or fish.
Vegetarianism is a popular choice for many individuals and families. But parents may wonder if kids can safely follow a vegetarian diet and still get all necessary nutrients. Most dietary and medical experts agree that a well-planned vegetarian diet can actually be a very healthy way to eat.
But special care must be taken when serving kids and teens a vegetarian diet, especially if it doesn't include dairy and egg products. And as with any diet, you'll need to understand that the nutritional needs of kids change as they grow.
Types of Vegetarian DietsBefore your child or family switches to a vegetarian diet, it's important to note that all vegetarian diets are not alike. Major vegetarian categories include:
- lacto-ovo vegetarian: eats no meat, poultry, or fish, but does eat eggs and dairy products (what most of us mean when we say "vegetarian")
- lacto-vegetarian: eats no meat, poultry, fish, or eggs, but does eat dairy products
- ovo-vegetarian: eats no meat, poultry, fish, or dairy products, but does eat eggs
- vegan: eats only plant-derived foods
And many other people are semi-vegetarians who have eliminated red meat, but may eat poultry or fish.
