Vegetarian Kids and Teens

"Look Ma, NO Meat!"

2007-02-03T00:27:00.000-08:00

Many people think that it is weird for a kid to be vegetarian. Many parents worry that a vegetarian lifestyle is unhealthy for kids. They argue that at their age, kids should be eating meat for growth and development. They say things like, "It's unhealthy for kids to go on vegetarian diet because they will most likely not get essential nutrients such as proteins, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin B complex, calcium, and essential fatty acids." It is hard to get these nutrients from other sources except meat and dairy products.

Nutritional studies conducted recently found out that vegetarian and semi-vegetarian (those who eat chicken and fish but not red meat) kids and teens tend to consume more fruits and vegetables and less fat, hence, eat healthier than their meat-eating peers. American Dietetic Association attests to the fact that well-planned vegetarian diets of infants, children, and adolescents can be nutritionally sound.

Kids and teens go through remarkable physical changes so their food intake is a critical aspect during this stage of rapid growth and development. A diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and non-animal protein sources should meet most children's nutritional needs.

Read the complete article here

Vegetarian Nutrition for Teenagers

2007-01-26T06:49:00.000-08:00

More and more teenagers are choosing not to eat meat, poultry or fish. They are becoming vegetarians. Teenage vegetarians are often faced with pressures - pressures from parents concerned about their health, and pressures from within to continue on the path they have chosen.

Variety is the Key to a Healthy Vegetarian Diet

Probably the most frequent questions for teenage vegetarians are about the nutritional adequacy of their food choices. A vegetarian diet can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The key to a healthy vegetarian diet is variety. Just as your parents should be concerned if you only eat hamburgers, they should also worry if you only eat potato chips and salad. A healthy, varied vegetarian diet includes fruits, vegetables, plenty of leafy greens, whole grain products, nuts, seeds and legumes. Some vegetarians also choose to eat dairy products and/or eggs.

Teenage vegetarians have nutritional needs that are the same as any other teenager. The years between 13 and 19 are times of especially rapid growth and change. Nutritional needs are high during these years. The nutrients you will probably be asked about the most are protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin B12.

Find out what should be the vegetarian nutrition for teenagers.

Vegetarianism and Osteoporosis: The Truth Revealed

2007-01-20T06:03:00.000-08:00

You know that eating a vegetarian diet can decrease the incidence of heart disease and certain types of cancers. You also know that it can make you leaner and healthier. But so many of the health studies are done on men. What about women and the impact of a vegetarian diet on their health as they age?

Diets that are high in protein, especially animal protein, tend to cause the body to excrete more calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. These three substances are the main components of urinary tract stones. British researchers have advised that persons with a tendency to form kidney stones should follow a vegetarian diet. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that high animal protein intake is largely responsible for the high prevalence of kidney stones in the United States and other developed countries and recommends protein restriction for the prevention of recurrent kidney stones.

Read the rest of the article here and discover the truth about osteoporosis and vegetarianism.

Tips for Teens on Becoming Vegetarian

2007-01-10T07:34:00.000-08:00

Teens around the world are increasingly making the transition to a vegetarian lifestyle. But like any diet, vegetarianism requires that teens develop good eating habits. With the right knowledge, teens can become vegetarians without relying on a diet of soda and potato chips.

Being a teen vegetarian can be healthy and rewarding. The American Dietetic Association says, "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."

Here are some tips for embarking on a well-planned vegetarian diet.

There are several different degrees of vegetarianism. Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat dairy and egg products along with plant-based foods. Lacto vegetarians eat dairy products but pass on egg products. Conversely, ovo vegetarians eat egg products but not dairy. Finally, there are vegans, or pure vegetarians, who abstain from eating any type of animal product.

Check out the full article here..

Vegetarianism: What's In It For Me?

2007-01-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

No matter what your reasons for eating a more vegetarian diet, there's no denying the obvious health benefits that are derived from the elimination of red meat from your diet. On average, vegetarians have lower levels of the blood fats, cholesterol and triglycerides than meat eaters of similar age and social status have.

Unravel the benefits one can get from embracing a lowcalorie vegetarian diet here...

Vegetarian Family: Making the Transition

2007-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

If you're considering moving to a vegetarian diet as an adult, you probably want to pass on this good nutrition and improved way of eating to your family as well. In fact, it's your responsibility as a parent to nurture your children and help them develop physically, mentally and spiritually.

But that can be hard to do, especially in a culture where our children are bombarded with messages from fast food restaurants in the media. How do you teach kids to resist the siren song of Ronald McDonald? There isn't a plate of vegetables on the planet that's going to look as good to them as a Happy Meal!

You have to start slowly to change not only your own eating patterns, but your family's as well. Like any other dietary endeavor, it starts at the grocery store. Begin stocking the refrigerator with healthy snacks like apples and carrots. Exchange good, chewy brown rice for white rice and processed side dishes, which are so high in fat and sodium. Make meat portions smaller and smaller and start incorporating more vegetables and grains in your family dinners.

Don't make changes all at once. If you do give in and stop at a fast food restaurant, get fruit or yogurt in addition to or part of that meal. Make the changes so gradual that they'll never notice their diets are changing. Kids are usually very sympathetic about animals, and it's not too early to talk to them about eating in a way that isn't cruel to animals.

You'll be doing them a favor that will last them a lifetime. With childhood obesity at epidemic levels in the U.S., you will be setting up your children for lifelong eating habits that will help ensure a long and healthy life.

--Arlene T Cuares is work from home vegetarian mom to three-year old Gabs and nine-month old Yra. She maintains Vegetarian Kids and Teens: Guide to Eating and Staying Healthy website.

Please visit Vegetarian Kids and Teens Guide for more informative articles, how-to and help guides, resources, and selected products and reviews.

Switch to Low-calorie Vegetarian Diet

2006-12-24T23:01:00.000-08:00

You sure want to look better, feel better, right? You want to have more energy and even add years to your life by living a clean and wholesome lifestyle? Avoid the chemicals, preservatives, growth hormones and other harmful toxins found in almost all of today's meats and over-processed foods.

Vegans and vegetarians the world over have discovered the truth - that you are what you eat!

If you've eaten meat and animal products your whole life, you might think, why switch to a vegetarian diet? You have lived your whole life eating eggs, hamburgers, hot dogs, poultry, so why bother switching now?

There could be many reasons to switch. Start by looking in the mirror. Are you at a healthy weight? Do you look and feel good most of the time? Do you wake up energized? Or do you wake up tired and sluggish?

How is your general health? Is your blood pressure within a healthy range? Are your cholesterol and blood sugar ranges normal? If they're not, consider what you're eating on a daily basis.

How do you feel after eating? Do you feel energized, as if you've fed your body what it needs? Or are you tired and dragged out? Do you often need a nap after eating? Is that what food is supposed to do for us, make us tired and sleepy?

Find out more by checking out Switch to Low-calorie Vegetarian Diet: Good Reasons Why You should article

Vegetarian Breakfast for Hectic School Days

2006-12-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but sadly, it is also the most rushed. Here's some quick tips to help make sure all members of the family start the day well-nourished, even if you just have a few minutes to spare.

Instead of the usual "milk and cereal" routine, try experimenting with vanilla rice milk, almond milk, or vanilla soymilk
Try pre-packaged instant oatmeal, you absolutely must! Granted, its not as healthy as plain oatmeal, but kids love the variety of flavors available - my favorite is the vanilla flavor. Or, spruce up your plain oatmeal with a ha

Think outside the box "cereal box, that is. Who says that breakfast has to consist of bacon and eggs, cereal and milk, or pancakes? Expand your breakfast options by including foods that you wouldn't normally think of eating for breakfast.

Read the rest of the tips here

Why go vegetarian?

2006-12-22T15:43:00.000-08:00

I have updated my blog today with a new article. It is about the benefits of being vegetarian and why people go on vegetarian diet.

Vegetarians have lower rates of breast, uterine, ovarian, colon, and some forms of cancers. They have reduced risk of obesity and tend to have a lower risk of coronary disease. They live longer, healthier lives. But how did they come to the decision of embracing a meatless lifestyle? Why go vegetarian?

Most vegetarians cite health reasons as their motivating factor to go for a vegetarian diet. People who eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables suffer less from colon cancer and reduce their chances of having a stroke, developing diabetes, constipation, varicose veins, obesity and piles.

Many said they gave up meat because they thought it was ethically wrong to eat animals. Factory farmed animals are given chemicals so they will grow to unnatural sizes very quickly and antibiotics to keep them alive in the filthy unhealthy conditions in which they live. Most animals are slaughtered in ways so inhumane, it would make humans sick to see it. They are often hung upside-down, skinned or even boiled while fully conscious. If people knew what happened to their food before it reached their plate, they probably wouldn't even think of eating it.

Others cited environmental factors in their decision to become vegetarian. Forests are cut down to provide food and grazing land for meat animals, destroying the eco-system which causes death to the native creatures inhabiting that land.

Personally I became vegetarian years ago when I went with a weight loss diet. Vegetarian foods tasted as good and appealed to my picky taste as well. I read a lot of books and magazines about vegetarianism, and as my knowledge about the practice grew so was my intention to become one. For me, it's more for a health reason.

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Tales of a Vegan Wannabe

2006-12-21T21:59:00.000-08:00

I was vegan for three months. I was vegan for two months. I was vegan for a day. I feel like the perpetual dieter flip-flopping between ovo-lacto and egg- and dairy-free, starting out with all the gumption of a hard core herbivore, but giving in when tempted by a nice cheesy slice of tomato and onion thin crust. Hiding behind the pantry door sneaking granola bars with honey and non-fat dry milk. Munching on treats I know contain casein and saying, "Just this once." Dodging anything that starts with "Tofutti" and loading up instead on fake cheese with whey because it "œmelts better." Please, Lord, just tell me when this cycle of destruction and deceit will ever end...

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Vegetarian Myths Debunked

2006-12-20T18:11:00.000-08:00

Misconceptions over the years have surrounded vegetarian diets and those who adopt them. Many parents worry that a vegetarian lifestyle is unhealthy for kids. That's myth number 1. Please check Raising a Vegetarian Family (Part 2 of 2) for some vegetarian myths debunked.

Sumptuous Vegetarian Christmas Treats

2006-12-20T05:48:00.000-08:00

I have added savory and healthful delights that will tease your palate this holiday season. Newly added savory festive recipes - a look at what do vegetarians eat at Christmas. The recipes are perfect for those who fancy a more indulgent menu.

Are you dreaming of a green Christmas? Take a look at this tempting treat. If you're not keen on traditional Christmas pudding then try this wickedly indulgent sticky alternative.

Who says you can't enjoy seasonal flavours if you're vegetarian?

New Article Added to My Site

2006-12-19T04:40:00.000-08:00

I have added a new article to my site today. It is about a mom's quest into raising a vegetarian family, braving the skeptics and the commercials that encourage children to eat unhealthy foods to be "in".

Happy reading!

New Article Added to My Site

2006-12-18T00:31:00.000-08:00

Vegetarianism is growing popular each day as more and more people are becoming health-conscious. If you have kids and/or teens and wonder if they could safely follow and benefit from being vegetarians, you can take a look at Vegetarian Kids and Teens: Guide to Eating and Staying Healthy site. I've added a new recipe most kids would love.