Tired and tested tofu successes

[Goingtobeawesome]

My DC has decided to be vegetarian. So far, out of all the veggie food I've bought, they like one thing. I bought tofu today and have no idea what to do with it. Helpfully the writing on the packet is minuscule and with my bad eyesight I'm struggling..

That's true, restrictions make it difficult, but you might run into issues banning her from being veggie if she's determined. A decent daily multivitamin will help, along with a responsible attitude on her part in making sure she's getting enough of the important things.

Lol at me letting her do anything.

You can't force feed a 12 year old.

I've put her on a vitamin but she needs her iron through food, not tablets, and unfortunately I'm not very clued up with food so need to research the best way to do this but given she doesn't want to eat at all I'm doing my best.

I'm grateful for all the food ideas. Would appreciate no criticism as there is far more going on and I'm doing my best to get her what she needs.

[http://food52.com/recipes/11358-grilled-peanut-tofu This]] recipe is nice. it is on the Food52 blog, which has some good ideas.

Why not ask your 12 year old to help out by looking at websites and books to find recipes she might enjoy that aren't too expensive or complex? She does have to take some responsibility for finding things to eat rather than expecting you to do it.

My current favourite vegetarian cookery book is 'Take One Veg' by Georgina Fuggle. If there is a discount bookshop near where you live, you could start there.

Sorry-that link again properly: [http://food52.com/recipes/11358-grilled-peanut-tofu]]

Aaargh! Here

You sound like you're doing great going, no criticism coming from here. Hope you find her something she likes in amongst all these ideas

We are going to the library soon so I'll look there for recipes books. Great idea, thank you.

Already sent the link for DH to order the Sam S book.

I frequently take DD to the shop to choose but I realise we need more than just looking at the fridge bit or even the tin and packet food aisles. She's good on the computer so can look for recipes.

Dried apricots are a good source of iron (if she will eat them).
Indian food is always good for vegetarians, you could serve it with bread/ naan instead of rice, but then I don't know whether she likes spicy food.

If you tell us what she will eat it is easier to help with recipe ideas (love a good challenge).

Sorry, OP, I didn't mean to criticise but it's very common for girls to start restricting their diet at this age and it's always best if they understand what their body needs to be healthy.

I think you're right that she should be getting all her nutrients from food, not from supplements, as this doesn't teach her good eating habits for life.

My DD started eating much more healthily once she learned to cook. Would that be a possibility for you?

Btw I admire you for supporting her food choices - it was easy for us as we're all vegetarian.

She used to love dried apricots but since she got her brace they are off limits. So many things she can't manage at the moment and no idea how long she will have the brace for. It's already broken once so what she was eating is now off limits.

She will eat

Croissants
Eggs
Scotch pancakes (good pudding is pancake, cream, berries, pancake on top)
Naan
Dough balls (new taste yesterday)
Veg chicken nuggets (today asked me to buy veg frankfurters too)
Cheese
Berries
Fruit corners

I take it very seriously my responsibility as a parent and the last few weeks and days, especially, have been very difficult with other issues coming to light. Not the first person to make me feel like I'm not doing my best and it just hurt.

I could cry for my DD and what she is going through and tbh if all she eats is croissants, pretend nuggets and a fruit corner she has bigger issues and I'm hoping it's short term and she will eat more and more variety as well as getting well in all ways.

I'm sorry you are all having such a bad time.

Her diet is limited but it isn't too bad, all the critical things are covered:
egg (vitamin B), cheese and cream (calcium), berries (vitamin C).

Will she drink smoothies ? You could make them with fresh apricots if you can find them, you could also add tofu to smoothies but I don't think it's necessary if she will drink milk/ cream.

I guess you are already making cheese omelettes, if she will accept potatoes a Spanish tortilla (egg + potatoes) is a nice comfort meal.

Are there any vegetables in the dough balls or are vegetables off limits ?

. My 13 year old dd has lots of other issues too. You have my sympathy. She does self-restrict where food is concerned sometimes and takes her vegetarianism very seriously, so I'm constantly trying to introduce elements to her diet when she might be refusing in other areas. something she will always eat is quesadillas with homemade guacamole. She also enjoys veg fajitas, macaroni cheese and cauliflower cheese. I also make a vat of dhal or three bean, (or how many I've got to hand), chilli in the slow cooker and freeze portions of it for future use. She also likes Linda McCartney Leek and Cheese Plaits an there is always good old beans on toast. She would happily exist on hash brown sandwiches and homemade pancakes smothered in Nutella so it can be a bit of a battle.

She will drink smoothies but yesterday's attempt went wrong and was more like a mousse . Today I've got raspberries and plums which I'll blend with milk.

She won't have cheese in her omelette but will eat it plain. I will make a Spanish one without telling her and see if she likes it.

The dough balls are just bread. She's better with fruit than veg but will eat a small variety.

She used to like sausages, tacos, pizza without tomato sauce and cheese.

Pasta is a no. Cauliflower cheese would probably make her leave home.

She's always eaten a lot less than her brothers but I had thought she was eating more then she got her brace...

Cereal is a struggle. Doesn't like porridge or weetabix and shreddies get stuck in her brace. Breakfast is too many croissants and brioches at the moment.

Would something like Jamie Oliver's Granola Dust be ok with a brace? It's full of healthy stuff, (oats, ground up nuts such as almonds, brazils and seeds such as flaxseeds, some dried fruit and cocoa). There is no added refined sugar and it's so ground up, you can't tell what you are eating. It's very moreish and goes great with berries and yogurt. Frozen mango and pineapple makes a good smoothie or pud if a bit thicker.

Perhaps ignore the cauliflower cheese suggestion.

a good silky tofu drizzled with some soy sauce (and grated ginger if she likes it) is nice and cool and should work for brace wearers.

I would also expand on the idea of cooking mentioned upthread and say: let her choose healthy stuff in the supermarket.

and think outside of the box for breakfast: who says it has to be bread or cereals? how about an avocado? or smoked fish?

sorry! fish is not so vegetarian ...

If she will eat eggs that's great. I make a lot of poached eggs (look up Jamie Oliver's clingfilm method - foolproof) and have them with veg or on toast. Loads of protein and not much fat.

Sweet potato wedges feel like stodge but are actually "proper" vegetables, and go well with the veg frankfurters and some salad if she'll eat it.

Smoked cheddar (Applewood or own brand) makes things taste amazing.

Hummus & sliced peppers & toast ought to be good as a snack?

I'm vegan and one thing I'd really recommend is smoothies. My son will not eat any greens but he'll happily have kale, avocado, broccoli (frozen is great) in a smoothie which means he gets all the greens he needs. I just add some apple juice to sweeten. Also, fajitas work well. Everyone can just add what they want. You can add butter/ cannellini beans to soups and purée. It just tastes creamy. Also nut butters are great - almond/ cashew.

Also, I do think it's important that she realises the importance of being a healthy and taking responsibility for learning to prepare some foods herself. My 12 year old (aspiring vegetarian) loves making her own juices.

Which take out foods does she like? Try to (let her) recreate them at home and expand on them.

Tonight she was given veg frankfurters (didn't like), home made wedges (couldn't manage as too crispy. I forgot about them in the oven), refused baked beans as had so much other tea, ate 1/4 finger roll. Drank raspberries and strawberries blended and ate a few whole. 20 minutes later, a scone.

I'll be making a list of all suggestions, thank you.

She's said she'll live on veg chicken nuggets. There was already so many foods she didn't like, the brace and the vegetarian choice has obliterated the already tiny list.

I wouldn't think there's anything she'd object to in these (you don't need all the herbs etc)

I'd love those!

She wouldn't.

I've told her she's having eggs tomorrow and I'm doing the one with potatoes. Lunch is down to MIL.

Dried apricots whizzed in a blender with a little orange juice and a splash of orange flower water makes a nice dessert.

Roasted cauliflower? Very nice with Indian spices, it is very different from the usual boiled/steamed version.

Would she eat dahl? Dahl and roti is a tasty, balanced meal.