A vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat, fish and poultry. If a person says they are a vegetarian and only eat chicken, they are not a true vegetarian.
Children and Vegetarianism
According to The American Dietetic Association, vegetarian diets can meet all nitrogen needs and amino acid requirements for growth.
What is a Vegan?
A vegan is a person who does not eat or use animal products including milk, cheese, other dairy items, eggs, wool, silk, and leather.
Children and Veganism
A vegan diet should be well planned and probably include fortified soy milk. If you have questions or concerns about providing your child with adequate nutrition. Consult a nutritionist who is knowledgeable about vegan diets.
Why do people become Vegetarians?
There are many reasons why people become vegetarians. Some of the most common reasons are:
- compassion for animals
- dislike of meat
- side effects of eating meat
- ecological concerns
- religious beliefs
- belief in nonviolence against animals
- economic concerns
Yes. The American Dietetic Association has affirmed that a vegetarian diet can meet all known nutrient needs.
The key to a healthy vegetarian diet, as with any other diet, is to eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, plenty of leafy greens, whole grain products, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
Starting a Vegetarian Diet
When becoming a vegetarian, you can either totally give up meat immediately or make a gradual change. Do what works best for you. Also, give yourself options by making a list of meals and foods that you like to eat. You can substitute meat-free products for meat in meals like spaghetti.
Meat-Free Products?
Some brands like Boca, Garden Burger, Veat, Morningstar, Quorn offer a variety of tasty meat-free products. Meat-free products can be found in most large supermarkets. They can also be found in specialty stores like Whole Foods Market.