Vegetarian question

[MessyBun247]

Me and DD12 are wanting to go vegetarian (we currently eat chicken and beef). Is it possible to get enough iron if you cut out beef? We will still eat eggs if that helps?

Also, do you rate quorn? Which veggie products are good?

I'm vegan and rubbish at remembering to take supplements. But when I give blood and they check my iron levels they are absolutely fine. Obviously it's important to make sure you are eating a balanced diet, and maybe consider supplements: iron, vitamins D & B12. Take a look at the info on the NHS website about vegetarian and vegan diets. www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Vegetarianhealth/Pages/Vegetarianhealthqanda.aspx

I personally like quorn but there are lots of other options out there nowadays if you don't. It's getting easier and easier to be vegetarian/vegan.

You can make most regular meals veggie by substituting the meat bit, e.g. sausage and mash with linda mccartney sausages, spag bol but making the sauce with lentils, etc. Veggie curries are good. Try some recipe books and get inspired!

A lot of green veg is iron rich.
I hate quorn...
I replace mince with lentils generally.

Chickpea, kidney beans, sunflower seeds, dried apricots, leafy green veg all good. Remember most breakfast cereals and a lot of bread is fortified with iron.

Agree with pp, also wanted to add that vitamin c helps iron absorption so having eg fruit juice with fortified cereal or salad with tomatoes etc can help if you're worried.

Thank you all, very helpful!

It's going to take some planning, as my partner is a butcher and def will still want meat for every dinner!

I bought quorn sausages and pieces last night to try, and they seem a great substitute.

DD12 isn't a huge vegetable fan, but will try and encourage her to eat more of a variety.

I take a WellWoman multivitamin, will get DD to take them too. Especially now that she has started her periods.

I have a few vegetarian cookbooks so will start trying new recipes. DD 22 months is a great eater and will eat pretty much anything thank god. It's just the older one I worry about!

She usually has a chicken baguette for lunch at school, she said 'it's ok, I'll just eat it without chicken'. What, just bread and mayo. 'Well, yeah '. Sigh!

I brought my children up as vegetarians and they are all strong and fit. Anecdotally they seem to have less illnesses than their meat eating friends.
Also a blood donor and never low on iron.
The Vegetarian Society has some great information for new vegetarians including information sheets on specific things like protein and iron and there are lots of Facebook cooking groups too.
I’m happy to answer any questions

Good luck!

Ooh, I forgot to say - I recently was given some good cookbooks for recipes which can be made with or without meat - might be helpful with a meat eating family member!

They're called 'the part time vegetarian' and 'the flexible vegetarian'

My dh eats meat - I'll often roast a chicken, then portion the meat and freeze. When defrosted, its great to chuck into a veggie risotto/pasta sauce/curry etc. so everyone is happy!

Replace chicken with chick peas and green peas. This would ensure that the child get protein. Then Quinoa can be tried instead of rice.

Then quit milk if you are looking to go vegan.