Is A Vegetarian Diet Safe For My Infant?

<h1>Is A Vegetarian Diet Safe For My Infant?</h1>

<p align=right>by Kirsten Hawkins</p>

<div align=justify>If, for dietary or ethical reasons, you have decided that you want to put your infant on a vegetarian diet, you should be very careful in choosing formulas and solid food for your child. <BR><BR>If you plan to breastfeed the infant and you are also a vegetarian, you may need to supplement breastmilk with additional sources of nutrition, depending on your dietary restrictions. If you are a vegan, or an ovo-vegetarian, you should add sources of vitamin B-12 to your child?s diet. <BR><BR>Other than the B-12 supplements, your infant should be able to receive all micro and macronutrients through breastfeeding, even if you are on a strictly vegan diet. <BR><BR>If you plan to use formula rather than breastmilk, you should stick to commercial formulas, which contain the proper amounts and ratios of nutrients. If you opt for a homemade formula or soymilk over a commercial product, your child could experience developmental problems from a lack of proper nutrition. <BR><BR>If you want to keep your infant on a vegan diet, you can select a soy commercial formula, as long as it is nutritionally-adequate. <BR><BR>After about a year, you can begin to supplement formula or breastmilk with other sources of nutrition, such as homemade formulas, soymilk, yogurt, and cow?s milk (if you are not a vegan). <BR><BR>Nutritionists suggest that you keep your infant on a full-fat, high protein diet after age one, which includes vegetarian-friendly foods, such as mashed and pureed avocados, soy milk, nutrient-fortified tofu, and yogurt. <BR><BR>When you are ready to switch your infant to solid vegetarian foods, you can introduce solid tofu, pieces of vegetarian burgers, eggs, and cheese. <BR><BR>If you supplement what a nonvegetarian diet lacks, maintain a full-fat diet, and increase your infant?s sources of protein, you should have no problem maintaining a healthful vegetarian diet during your child?s crucial developmental stages. </div>

<p align=center>Article source: <a href="http://www.ArticlePros.com/food_and_beverage/Vegetarian-Cuisine/article-6624.html">ArticlePros.com</a></p>
 
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		<p align=center><b>About the author</b></p>
		<p align=justify>Kirsten Hawkins is a vegetarian and nutrition expert from Nashville, TN. Visit <a href="http://www.recipe-vegetarian.com/" title="http://www.recipe-vegetarian.com/" target="_blank">http://www.recipe-vegetarian.com/</a> for more information on vegetarian recipes and resources.</p>
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