Vegetarian DD and periods

[reckoner]

DD is 10 and so will soon enough start having periods. She has been vegetarian since birth (DH and I both are too) and she is a very picky eater. She's very skinny and she says she feels weaker than other children in her class. I am worried about when she will have a significant amount of blood loss each month and her being or becoming anaemic. I became vegetarian when I was 16 but I always ate well and plenty whereas DD eats a lot less and not very varied.

Hi, my sister and I were both vegetarian from about 11, no anaemia through teenage or adult years although have both been tested at various times when tired or ill with other things.

You could ask your GP if they would test her now for iron levels so you know her baseline before periods and if they would recommend an iron tablet supplement if her levels are low. I have heard anecdotally that iron through food is preferred / more effective. Vit C eg orange juice with a meal helps absorb iron, tea / coffee and other foods reduce iron uptake.