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

[Ohidontbloodyknow]

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.

Wow, loads of helpful responses. Thank you.
I’ve googled protein in oats and they only seem to be 2.4g per 100g. I guess it’s milk that pushes the protein up.
@Thewildthingsarewithme yes- he went through a phase of eating loads of smoked salmon but ended up getting fed up with it. Loves sushi, but sadly we’re not rich enough to fund this lifestyle! But I didn’t even think of eggs hidden in carbs… good call.
@LMNT it’s definitely the texture. I think he just can’t be bothered to chew and goes for the quick wins (carbs and soft stuff) when he tries meat he often ends up spitting it out.
I didn’t know you could get dairy free protein powders suitable for kids. I will check this out.
I try to give him a good diet- essentially a combo of carb, protein, fats, veg. I.e., stir fry, tray bakes, df lasagne/ bolognese etc. but he will just fish everything he likes out and leave the protein, even if I mix up his bolognese he still manages to leave the bolognese and just eat the pasta!

@lmnt also, yes- it did occur to me to start blending meats like I did when he was a baby! Maybe make them into soups. Interesting info about plant protein too, thank you.

Thanks to everyone that suggested chick pea/ high protein pasta. Reckon this could work. Will order some.

I think I would push the fish a bit more, what about making fishcakes so it's mixed in with potatoes

Sushi doesn't have to be expensive if you make it yourself.

Also, if you grind nut fine enough you can hide them in all sorts, anything with a sauce really, both sweet and savoury.

Almond cake eggs and nuts, add chocolate and be happy.

Lots of good advice here. What with him having lots of soft stuff though, make sure he has enough fibre. Veggies, oats, lentils, chickpeas - avoiding chewing is not great as he is avoiding fibre. Will he eat apples, potatoes with skin on, broccoli stalks, raw cabbage, coleslaw, carrots etc?
Second all the suggestions of beans and lentils.

I make blended meals for my dad (who has problems chewing) and it's amazing how much meat you can blend into soups and other meals. I do a blended chicken soup or blend it into sauces with vegetables to have over rice. A stick blender could be your new friend.

I defo make lots of good protein-heavy meals by blending and from the texture, you'd not know there was meat in it. I don't know if that's helpful at all. :)

My son loved chick peas in all their forms from a very early age. Does he like dal? Felafel?

I've been Vegan for 33 years. I am not 76 years old and fit and healthy. There seems to be plenty of protein in a plant based diet.

@Simonjt some Children with dairy intolerance can also be sensitive to soy, unfortunately, he’s one of them. Both give him bellyache.

@AtleastitsnotMonday grinding and hiding nuts is a good idea, as are Fishcakes.

@araresight thats very helpful- thank you.

I meant that I am now 76

This might be too much for a six year old, but what about Marmite?

I sometimes have porridge with a scoop of flavoured (strawberry, chocolate, etc.) protein powder in for breakfast - would he eat something like that (vegan powder obviously)?

Omlettes with veggies in are a good way to up protein as well.

Peas are related high in protein so if he eats this you can add them into omlettes, pasta dishes or just have them on the side.

I feel your pain, eldest child with egg and dairy allergy - actually she's ok with protein but useless as dairy alternatives so I constantly panic about calcium plus she's also picky and on the 2nd centile.
Nut butters are a great addition to everything if they will tolerate (we have to be careful what we have in the house due to another child's allergies), what about those protein bars that have nuts and fruit and taste like Bakewell tarts.
What is he like with fish? Mackerel is a good oily fish high calorie with good fats
What about meat that doesn't seem like meat eg beef paste sandwiches, chicken nuggets, corned beef?

Oh definitely purée food eg make a bolognaise and puree it into a sauce over pasta

eggs?
try egg pasta fresh or dried

my teens like fried rice or noodles with an egg cracked onto it.

can he have aged hard cheese (parmesan?)? some people with dairy intolerance are fine with it.

and yes to beans and lentils. tinned is fine.

@YukoandHiro its hard having a child with intolerances/allergies who is a bit fussy about alternatives and is also measuring small. My DS is probably one of the only children I know that won’t eat chicken nuggets! I could cry at mealtimes sometimes! Must be doubly hard when having to consider another child’s allergies as well. Good tips though, thanks.

Aldi do protein tortilla wraps that are over 9g of protein per wrap and vegan friendly

Lots of eggs
Fish
And make your own sushi (it's cheap and fun to make with the kids)

@ChuffKnows great tip. Will pop in Aldi tomorrow. He loves a wrap.

@eatdrinkandbemerry do you use raw fish in your sushi? Does it have to be sushi grade?

I don't think anyone has mentioned quinoa, that is high in protein.

• Chia seeds you can put in anything really
• Lentils
• Liver!! Whizz it up in sauces
• Buckwheat Pasta

Oat milk
Cashew milk.
Almond milk
Hazelnut milk

Beans

Nuts

Lentils