Can I raise a vegetarian baby? What foods can I feed my vegan baby?
Vegetarian Infants (PDF) offers tips for breastfeeding and formula feeding during the early months of a life. When it is time to add solid food, parents will discover lists of the foods that provide the best sources of iron, zinc, calcium, Vitamin B12 and other nutrients essential for a growing infant.
Will I become anemic if I stop eating meat? What plant foods supply iron?
Iron in Vegetarian Diets (PDF) provides information about the iron found in plant foods, how to increase absorption of iron, and the iron requirements for athletes following a vegetarian diet.
What is Choline? Do I need it?
Choline in Vegetarian Diets (PDF) provides information about a nutrient that provides several functions in our bodies, including the development of an infant’s nerves and brain. Discover how a total vegetarian can consume adequate amounts of this essential nutrient.
Are soy products safe?
Safety of Soyfoods (PDF) answers common questions about the use of soy products. This tool provides evidence-based research on the safe use of soy in all types of diets.
Does a vegetarian or vegan diet provide adequate protein, calcium, and other nutrients?
Vegetarian/Vegan Myths (PDF) provides information on how plant-based diets provide all the necessary nutrition for healthy diets free of animal food sources.
Is soy safe?
Will eating tofu increase my risk for breast cancer?
Isoflavones in Vegetarian Diets (PDF)
The Isoflavones in Vegetarian Diets provides information on the benefits of eating soy for the prevention of breast and prostate cancers, reducing cholesterol, improving bone mineral density and reducing symptoms of menopause.
Does a total vegetarian get enough Vitamin B12?
B12 in Vegetarian Diets (PDF)
B12 in Vegetarian Diets provides information for total vegetarians on plant sources of Vitamin B12.
I’m pregnant and I am vegan/vegetarian, will my baby be healthy?
Vegetarian Diets in Pregnancy (English PDF)
Dietas vegetarianas durante el embarazo (Spanish PDF)
Vegetarian Diets in Pregnancy guides expecting moms with nutrition tools to make the best food choices during pregnancy.
Can I raise healthy vegan/vegetarian children?
All types of vegetarian diets are healthy for the life span, including infants through teenagers. Below are resources covering each level of development.
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Vegetarian Diets During Lactation (PDF) Vegetarian Diets During Lactation provides all types of vegetarians information on how to select the healthiest foods while lactating. |
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Vegetarian Nutrition for Toddlers & Preschoolers (PDF) Vegetarian Nutrition for Toddlers and Preschoolers provides information for parents and childcare providers who are planning vegetarian meals for toddlers and preschoolers. |
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Vegetarian Nutrition for School-Aged Children (PDF) Vegetarian Nutrition for School-Aged Children provides information for parents, and school food service workers, on how to plan nutritious vegetarian meals for school-aged children. |
My teenage daughter/son wants to be vegetarian
—what do I do?
How can I tell my Mom I want to quit eating animals?
Vegetarian Teens (PDF)
Vegetarian Teens will guide teenagers choosing to eat meatless (and assist their families) on how to choose healthy foods that insure their diet is supplying them with the nutrition they need to continue growing well.
Will I get enough Calcium on a 100% plant-based diet?
Meeting Calcium Recommendations on a Vegan Diet (PDF)
Meeting Calcium Recommendations on a Vegan Diet provides vegans, vegetarians, and others nutrition information to find non-dairy food sources for calcium.
Can a vegetarian win at competitive sports?
How does a vegan eat to run a marathon?
Sports Nutrition for Vegetarians (PDF)
Sports Nutrition for Vegetarians shares how eating a plant-based diet provides adequate nutrition for full-time and weekend athletes.
What vegetarian foods can I eat on a reduced protein, low sodium diet for kidney disease?
Can I eat vegan/vegetarian while on dialysis?
Vegetarian Diets in Chronic Kidney Disease (PDF)
Vegetarian Diets in Chronic Kidney Disease provides information on planning all types of vegetarian diets during the various stages of kidney disease.
Can a vegetarian provide minerals like zinc?
Zinc in Vegetarian Diets (PDF)
The Zinc in Vegetarian Diets provides the nutrition tools to assist all types of vegetarians select foods with adequate zinc.
How do I know a Vegetarian Diet is safe for me and my family?
Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes. Read more from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics »
Looking for ideas to go Meatless?
Follow these tips for including meatless meals into your family’s diet.
