Vegetarian parents, can you advise?

[annandale]

Currently pescatarian, I was happy enough with this. Eats eggs if they are put in front of him and would eat cheese at every meal if I would let him. If I make toast with marmite he will have a bit. Reasonable but not huge range of veg eaten though really broccoli under protest, green beans, cucumber, avocado and peas are the only green veg he eats regularly. Eats baked beans and I do cook with them having washed off the sauce. Not too bad with fruit and will eat some dried fruit.

No other nuts or pulses, not even peanut butter or hummous. Am quite concerned about him becoming vegetarian like this. He is 12 and is growing a lot already (DH is 6'4") and is quite athletic. Seems mildly more concerned about being fat than I would like, but that's just something I keep an eye on, no major issue. He's had quite a lot of days off this term, to the point that I was about to take him to the doctor but it's settled down so I've put it off again.

I was thinking I could start giving him orange juice which I stopped years ago to increase his iron absorption. But in general, am I worrying too much? He's going to rely very heavily on eggs and cheese for protein, which doesn't seem ideal?

[annandale]

Sorry, changed the title which should read my son wants to become vegetarian!

[annandale]

bump

[Izlet]

Mine is a bit younger and has been vegetarian since birth. She also does a competitive sport.
We do eat a lot of pulses and veg, less fruit and not a huge amount of dairy and DD does eat eggs at least twice a week.
Will he eat soup? We do a lot of these and the been ones I blend to a smooth cream as she will eat lentils but is not keen on big beans texture wise. You could also add a load of veg and they would not be noticed. Also deep fried spicy chick peas and kale crisps are favourite in front of the telly snacks.

[annandale]

No to kale - we've tried the crisps, no sale. No to chick peas in any form. No to lentils, so far in any form. No to kidney beans. You see why I'm a bit concerned.

He did eat a few spoonfuls of minestrone the other day which was a step forward - previously only Heinz tomato - so I could try some more bean soups.

[jeremyisahunt]

Have you tried tofu or quorn?

I put loads of seeds in my morning smoothie. A handful of sesame seeds have half your daily protein in it.

[annandale]

Allergic to quorn (we think - he's had weird eye reactions twice in a year and quorn seemed to be the common factor). Tofu initially greeted well but didn't actually eat it, now saying no. No to pumpkin seeds, pine nuts and sesame seeds.

[annandale]

Oh and no to smoothies [sigh]

[Izlet]

Mine won't eat kidney beans, but I make a soup with the beans, onions, carrots and Rosemary and blitz it and she'll get through 2 bowls of it. We eat it with small pasta shapes or spelt cous cous.

[Peoniepink]

I'm not a parent but am a veggie...I decided to be veggie very young and only tried quorn stuff years later at 24, had very poor diet/fussy eater but was always ok. Docs told parents as long as i was eating something etc no concern.(was also very fit though).

Has he tried any of the meat alternatives? quorn or shops own? veggie burgers, sausages or quorn chunks in curry/quorn bolognese. Not sure that was all around when i was his age but know friends with veggie kids and they eat most of it. Also falafel is good for protien.
Hope this helps :)

[Izlet]

Also fritters or pancakes using chick pea flour (like dosas). There are a lot of puddings using ground almonds or millet or other high protein grains and pulses, most Indian cookery books will have recipes for instance. I used to make a couple when DD was small (after dialling down the sugar a great deal) but none of my lot has a sweet tooth so I don't bother anymore.

[Peoniepink]

sorry x-posted

[MyNewBearTotoro]

What about non-quote veggie burgers/ sausages etc.

Linda McCartney veggie sausages are good and most supermarkets have own-brand meat free foods made from vegetable protein. Check the labels but most are different to quorn so maybe he could try them as they are a good source of protein.

[VerySlovenly]

You really don't need to worry so much! Look at the Vegetarian Society's web site, they have lots of food ideas and info about nutrition. Don't worry too much about what he won't eat, he'll find all sorts of new food he likes given time. His diet doesn't sound too bad at all.

[annandale]

Glad it doesn't sound too bad. Maybe it's ok. It's probably a good thing that he won't eat any of the veggie burgers or sausages, at least he is cheap to feed

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

I'd be careful of soya products cause of the estrogen impact
How about coconut flour pancakes - very yummy with honey and blueberries - and coconut yogurt? Very high protein in both and quite sweet (better than yogurt if the latter makes him sick)
Things with nut butter are very yummy too and extremely high in protein and iron - I make a cereal bar with nut butter cocoa vanilla rice crispies and honey !