How can I help my vegetarian child gain weight?

[luvmy3jewels]

This board is such a great source of info. I'm hoping someone can help me help my daugther. DD is 8.5 and has been a vegetarian for four years (by her own choice). She is extremely tall (95th percentile) and extremely thin. During her check-up last month, the pediatrician expressed concern about her weight and wants to see her in three months. If she hasn't gained weight by then, the pediatrician wants to start running tests (celiac disease, etc).

Personally, I would be suprised if she has any medical problems that are causing her to be so thin. However, I do think the fact that she is a vegetarian affects her weight and I would like to help her gain weight if it will mean that she will be healthier and feel better.

The problem is, I'm at a loss on what to do. I worry that she doesn't get enough protein, so I encourage her to eat cheese, peanut butter, nuts and drink milk. Would protein shakes be safe and appropriate for her?

Dh and I (and our other two children) are not vegetarians. I just don't know where to start to make sure that dd is getting what she needs and how to get her to put on some weight. I'm hoping there may be some parents of young vegetarians on this board, or even vegetarians themselves that can help me out!

Any words of advice or wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mickeyboat]

What kind of vegetarian substitutions are you providing for her? Or does she just skip the meat portion of your meal?

Does she eat fish or eggs? Lentils? Tofu?

ETA - my suggestion would be to tell her that you respect her choice to be a vegetarian. Since she has made this decision, she needs to take more responsibility to make sure she is getting the proper nutrients so that she will grow up healthy. Have her research some options and have her help you prepare them.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Have you been to see a nutritionist? When my cousin made the decision to become a vegetarian and then later a vegan the first thing my aunt did was to arrange several visits to a nutritionist so they could learn more about how to eat healthy and how to balance the different nutritients with a veggie diet.

I am sure there are also many good books in the library that might help you out.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I second seeing a nutritionist with her. It will be of help to her now and her future as a vegetarian.

You will also get some great tips for you to cook at home.

 

[justhat]

Does she eat beans? They're popular with my kids and are a good source of protein. They love to make bean and cheese burritos and they can be pretty healthy, add some avocado and tomatoes and it's a pretty good meal.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

What kind of vegetarian substitutions are you providing for her? Or does she just skip the meat portion of your meal?

Does she eat fish or eggs? Lentils? Tofu?

ETA - my suggestion would be to tell her that you respect her choice to be a vegetarian. Since she has made this decision, she needs to take more responsibility to make sure she is getting the proper nutrients so that she will grow up healthy. Have her research some options and have her help you prepare them.

She does not eat fish, eggs or tofu. She will eat beans, peanut butter, cheese, and yogurt.

To the poster who suggested bean burritos, what kind of beans do you use? She has had the kind with re-fried beans and likes them OK, but I would be willing to fix something different for her.

I think the nutritionist idea is an excellent one! I need to give her pediatrician a call and see if she can refer her to one.

Thanks!

 

[shrubber]

Wait, your 4 year old made a decison to become a vegetarian?
I don't believe it. Or I don't believe you let her.

 

[KirstenB]

We're not vegetarian, but our younger dd loves black beans. I make her black bean and cheese quesadillas all the time.

How about trying to get fat in her via sauces, like pesto, alfredo etc.

 

[RitaE]

Check out some of the protein snack bars. We like Odwalla and Luna here.
Also, the vanilla flavored soymilk over cereal.

 

[etoiles]

Wait, your 4 year old made a decison to become a vegetarian?
I don't believe it. Or I don't believe you let her.

I also became a vegetarian at 4. The thought of meat grossed me out and still does to this day (31 now). Did eat a few meat items here and there until cutting it off completely at age 18. I wish it would also make me be thin though because I haven't been thin at all my entire life. Also, there are millions, if not more, of vegetarian children around the world that grow up big and strong so I think the same thing is very easy with your daughter.

I think your daughter would eat tofu if it was prepared in a delicious way. Raw, plain, of course not. I think if you would blend it with some berries and yogurt and some ice cubes you could make a tasty tofu smoothie. You wouldn't even have to tell her it was in there!

Tacos, you could serve meat and she could have black beans with taco seasoning, refried beans, or veggie crumbles (Morningstar brand). Spaghetti is a good option as well you could always add veggies to the sauce for more nutrition and those who want meatballs could add them on top.

Vegetarian chili is a meal the whole family could enjoy or a good spinach or veggie lasagna since she also has protein. Quessadillas with cheese and fresh spinach leaves are yummy and spinach has a lot of protein. Macaroni and cheese is good and you can dice up tofu small and put it in and it just blends in with the mac and cheese and takes on the taste of it as well.

She would probably like vegetarian nuggets (the vegetarian version of chicken nuggets). I enjoy them as a snack from time to time and they are healthier than their meat counterparts. My favorite is the Quorn brand of veggie nugget but the Morningstar brand is also decent.

Join this forum for parents of vegetarian kids (some people are even vegans). At the top of the message board one of the topics is 'what did you feed your kids today' which will give you other ideas as well.

 

[meandmytwogirls]

Wait, your 4 year old made a decision to become a vegetarian?
I don't believe it. Or I don't believe you let her.

I was thinking the same thing!!

 

[dakcp2001]

I would def go to a nutritionist ASAP, she could have long term consequences from poor nutrition during her developmental years. She needs enough calicum to support bone development and enough "complete" proteins to support muscle growth. Her brain needs enough fat to grow. She is at a point where it is pretty critical for her to get enough nutrition. High amounts of soy can also effect a womans hormone/estrogen levels, so this may have an effect on her menstrual cycle when she is a little older if her diet is heavy in soy.

In the meantime, have you tried to supplement her diet with the high calorie nutrient shakes? The pediasure ones come in tasty flavors. They also make ensure which are for older adults they come in a lot of flavors too, but I would ask the pediatrition if the nutrient percentages in those types of drinks are safe for kids. The pediasure ones would be.

If she doesnt like the shakes, try blending them with ice cream or ice to make them more like a smoothie. You can make a nice chocolate shake with some peanut butter to add some calories and good fats. CHocolate bannana are really tasty too. I am biased of course, I like bannanas is all shakes/smoothies.

PS i agree with previous poster about the black bean tacos, once you put taco seasoning on them they taste great. ALso if you have a health food store near you, you can try TVP or textured vegetable protein, you buy it dehydrated and you can rehydrate it with vegetable broth and then turn it into meatballs, meatloaf, etc etc.

I think it is also really important to make sure she gets in as many higher calorie good fats as you can, add some avocado to her burritos and quesadillas, and use good oils in cooking.

Good luck! I think its wonderful that you are willing to try to make this lifestyle work for her.

 

[Laura]

I would def go to a nutritionist ASAP, she could have long term consequences from poor nutrition during her developmental years. She needs enough calicum to support bone development and enough "complete" proteins to support muscle growth. Her brain needs enough fat to grow. She is at a point where it is pretty critical for her to get enough nutrition. High amounts of soy can also effect a womans hormone/estrogen levels, so this may have an effect on her menstrual cycle when she is a little older if her diet is heavy in soy.

In the meantime, have you tried to supplement her diet with the high calorie nutrient shakes? The pediasure ones come in tasty flavors. They also make ensure which are for older adults they come in a lot of flavors too, but I would ask the pediatrition if the nutrient percentages in those types of drinks are safe for kids. The pediasure ones would be.

If she doesnt like the shakes, try blending them with ice cream or ice to make them more like a smoothie. You can make a nice chocolate shake with some peanut butter to add some calories and good fats. CHocolate bannana are really tasty too. I am biased of course, I like bannanas is all shakes/smoothies.

PS i agree with previous poster about the black bean tacos, once you put taco seasoning on them they taste great. ALso if you have a health food store near you, you can try TVP or textured vegetable protein, you buy it dehydrated and you can rehydrate it with vegetable broth and then turn it into meatballs, meatloaf, etc etc.

I think it is also really important to make sure she gets in as many higher calorie good fats as you can, add some avocado to her burritos and quesadillas, and use good oils in cooking.

Good luck! I think its wonderful that you are willing to try to make this lifestyle work for her.

I agree, especially the part bolded above. More calorie-dense fatty food like nuts, avocado, olive oil, etc. And get thee to a nutritionist. Since our society is so meat-centric, I had to learn how to eat without it.

FYI--protein is very important, but also important is iron. Make sure she's getting enough. Iron from vegetarian sources is harder to absorb than iron from meat.

 

[agnes!]

She does not eat fish, eggs or tofu. She will eat beans, peanut butter, cheese, and yogurt.

To the poster who suggested bean burritos, what kind of beans do you use? She has had the kind with re-fried beans and likes them OK, but I would be willing to fix something different for her.

I think the nutritionist idea is an excellent one! I need to give her pediatrician a call and see if she can refer her to one.

Thanks!

So she will eat dairy items(as in yogurt) but not fish, eggs or tofu. I'm sitting here trying to think of nutrient-dense foods that your DD will eat and all I can come up with are cheeses (especially cream-cheese) and almost any kind of nuts or seeds - they have protein, fiber, minerals, good fats. Pumpkin seeds, for instance, are especially high in zinc.

I was wondering what the issue was with tofu. Is it the texture or something else? I mean, does she maybe get digestive issues with eating any kind of soybean based products? Can she/will she eat soybean meat-substitute? I am having a hard time imagining a vegetarian diet without tofu, it's such a good source of protein.

Yeah, I'd say get thee to a nutritionist/dietician ASAP, make sure your DD is getting all the nutrients her body needs right now and also that her body & brain are getting the proper nutritional building-blocks for her future. You should go ahead now and start a food-diary, the nutritionist will probably want to see what your DD's food intake is over a week's time.

agnes!

 

[TheZue]

I agree about the nutritionist idea. I would also get into a lot of the legumes & bean recipes for her. Tofu is also a good alternative. And you could always get her some of the protein shakes like boost or ensure...they use those in the nursing homes to bulk up the elderly.

 

[hegsag]

Cranberry juice is high in calories and yet healthy too.

 

[barkley]

i agree about the nutritionist.

i also agree that if you could get her to try some of the better tasting tofu products it would open up a world of items. my kids attend a vegetarian school and ds just got back from a vegetarian summer camp (but we are'nt vegetarians). i've had to prepare dishes and meals for years for school potlucks and parties as well as being "lunch mom" (prepare lunch for entire school of about 40 people) and i can use some of the substitute products as follows:

chili (use the morningstar crumbles)-in a bowl, over baked potato (loaded with cheese)

spagetti (crumbles mixed into homemade or jarred pasta sauce)

sloppy joe (crumbles and manwich sauce)

sheppard's or cottage pie (crumbles with veggies and such covered with mashed potatos which include some grated cheese)

baked potato soup (use sour cream, cheese and bacos-which are vegetarian- for the toppings)

tostados/tacos/enchiladas-standard recipie with crumbles substituting for the meat.

veggie lasagna-no crumbles in this but mine is loaded with high iron veggies and whole milk ricotta and mozzerella.

for school lunches my kids take veggie corn dogs (they have access to a microwave), haystacks (fritos, refried beans, cheese), veggie nuggetts, homemade veggie soups, ants on a log (lots of calories in peanut butter), veggie stix (like potato chips but multi colored vegitarian snacks), dried fruit, nuts (there are lots of good high protean, high calorie nut based recipies out there), whole milk cheese sticks...


you can also do traditional non meat dishes but make sure you go to the traditional ingredients vs. the more low fat/low calorie items most of us have gotten used to using (like with green bean casserole-use whole milk, full bore cream of mushroom soup...). sweet potatos are great and can be baked or even done up like fries. there are lots of calcium fortified cereals and drinks on the markets so look to those as well.

 

[barkley]

Cranberry juice is high in calories and yet healthy too.

you have to watch the sugar in cranberry juice though-it can be insanely high (and then you can end up with dental problems).

 

[IngridRalph]

My kiddos have been mostly vegetarian since birth. One eats fish and one eats chicken but both of these are consumed rarely. When they were little I always made them smoothies with protien powder. Also I used to add tofu to the smoothies. I would just try to bulk up the nutrition in the items she is currently eating.

Both of my kids are over the 95% for height/weight and we have never had an issue with their growth. However my daughter was diagnosised with celiac last year. She never had the typical symptoms of failure to thrive.

~Ingrid

 

[Northstar]

A good first step would be to find out exactly what she's actually eating by keeping a food intake diary for a week. That would help you to know if the problem is really that she's not taking in enough calories.

What does she say about the doctor's concerns? Does she take it seriously and seem to be willing to try to eat more calorie-dense (but healthy) foods?

Even girls of eight can have body image problems, and it's shocking how many growing kids are actively trying to restrict their calorie intake when their bodies need the energy to grow. Not saying this is your DD, but it seems strange to me that just eliminating the meat from her diet would lead to extreme thinness if she eats things like peanut butter and eggs.