Dairy and soy free child refuses meat. How on earth do I get enough protein into him?

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My DS is completely dairy free due to an intolerance, but won’t eat any meat. He’s pretty good on fruit and veggies but his meals are mostly carb based. He’s also on the 5th centile for weight and height height having been born on 50th and I suspect his diet is seriously lacking.
I’ve looked into how much protein he should be getting according to weight and it’s around 25g a day, but I worked out on average he’s getting around 10g from other foods in his daily diet.
He’s also suffering with concentration issues at school and retaining information, which I’m certain is linked.
I guess essentially, he’s vegan. But due to his dairy intolerance he also can’t have soy. In addition to this- he won’t eat nuts. We’re on a waiting list for NHS dietician and have been for a year, apparently there is a 2 year wait and I’m desperate. He’s 6 years old. Any advice gratefully received.

Pulses and lentils? Can you use lentil cakes instead of rice cakes and use lentils in things like spaghetti bolognaise in place of meat?

Stupid question but will he eat fish? My son had the same so I feel your pain! You can get protein noodles/bread and pasta I think from Morrisons. You can also get protein cereal or you could try and get bulk up prescribed by your doctor but he might be too young. Can you hide eggs in things like pancakes or banana bread.

What about eggs? You can hide them in a tonne of things. Make egg rich pancake with oat milk (and chocolate chips or something appealing to induce them)

You can buy chick pea pasta from the regular pasta section and it's the same price as durum wheat pasta

Carnipro beef protein powder in a fruit smoothie. Here's my referral link: https://www.myprotein.com/referrals.list?applyCode=ELIZABETH-R2X
We both get £10 if you spend £45+

Pea protein powder is a nasty texture so I wouldn't start there.

A lot of vegetables have more protein than you'd expect (spinach, sprouts etc.) but if you're looking for a soy-free meat replacement, then seitan is a great choice. It's just made of wheat and is 75% protein! It has a great texture too.

Nuts
nut butters, on toast, crackers with apple dip
eggs, boiled, scrambled, egg muffins
baked beans

Try an amino acid supplement in a smoothie but ideally he needs meat for the other nutrients.

I work with kids who have ASD so have some experience with food refusal. You can try blending beef or chicken and hide it in his meals like quiche or even on a sandwich as a “spread”.

Is it taste or texture that’s the problem?

Eggs, pulses, beans. These are all great sources of protein.
Or even fake meat (check for soy!) or seitan, if youre willing to go that far!

Failling that, get him spirulina supplements as well (which you should be able to find in places like Holland and Barrets and the like)

Just FYI many plant proteins are not very bio available (less protein is absorbed than in the animal equivalent) and can actually block absorption of some vitamins and minerals so the more animal proteins you can get into him the better.

Eggs? Either 2 eggs (12g protein!) on toast or made into egg bread or pancakes if he’s fussy about them? Fish fingers also have about 6g prorate in each.
Peas have a surprising amount of protein in them too.

Eggs would be my main thought
Boiled, fried, scrambled, baked but also mashed into stuff

What does a weeks food currently look like?

Oats have a lot of protein in, plus nuts and seeds.

Fishfingers, peas, a few chips, baked beans and a fried egg.

Sorry, just seen that he won’t eat nuts. Fish? Omelettes, frittata?

Would he have a vegan protein shake?

chia seeds, mix with coconut milk let them flub up and add honey or brown sugar.

Protein powder added to what he will eat.
Ask at the chemist/pharmacy for a product suitable for kids but check the ingredients.

I would try and steer away from sweet foods. He may prefer fruit etc because of its sweet taste and therefore is rejecting more savoury meat. Reducing the sweetness of everything on offer may encourage him to try meat again.

Protein power pancakes
Eggs
Would be eat fish fingers ?
Bean chilli
Beans on toast
Lentil bolognaise

Tofu, seitan , quorn?
Beans and lentils, chickpeas.
Eggs maybe?

I stuck a handful of softened cashews in the blender with frozen fruit and oat milk to make breakfast smoothie. They don't taste nutty.
Eggy bread?

It sounds like what they need is calories as well as protein. Use generous amounts of dairy free spreads when preparing his food.
How old is he?

Does he eat eggs? Scrambled, boiled, eggs bread, pancakes with oat milk.

Alpro oatly growing up milk has pea protein in. Add protein powder to porridge, pancakes etc.

Lentils in pasta sauces with other veg and blended smooth so undetectable. Same with chickpeas in curry sauces. I'm guessing chicken would blend smoothly too in sauces if he won't eat lumps of meat.

We’re dairy, meat and nut free.

For our children eggs, lentils, beans etc. We do sometimes eat tofu, if you have silken toku you can blend it to make a ‘creamy’ sauce.

Why does an issue with dairy mean he can’t have soy? My son has a dairy allergy, he can have soy.