Protein ideas for vegan toddler

[daisydaredyou]

She isn't actually vegan, but vegetarian and doesn't like eggs, and we've recently realised too much dairy wasn't agreeing with her so cutting that down.

But now I'm worried about protein, and nutrition in general. She's a fussy eater anyway so sometimes feels like she lives on bread and fruit.

Anyone got any vegan protein recipes or ideas that are a hit?

Some recipes here. Canellini bean nuggets sound interesting.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/vegan-kids-recipes

some good info.
https://www.happyfamilyorganics.com/learning-center/article/meal-plan/baby-tot-vegetarian-meal-plan/

There's a lot of protein in cow's milk products.
What are the sources of iron in her diet?

It is hard to meet nutritional needs on a VEGetarian diet without the VEGetables, the pulses (lentils, chickpeas, beans, soy).
Forks and knives have a lot of recipes https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/vegan-menus-collections/most-popular-forks-over-knives-recipes-ever/ they have quite a few Tex MEx ones that are nice and have a family cookbook .
How is the rest of the family eating. Tofu, quinoa, socca, .... or ...?

Quorn is my go to - they even do unicorn and dinosaur nuggets. Yes, I use small children as an excuse to indulge my 'plate as Jurassic era artwork' fetish complete with mash potato mountains and broccoli trees...

Seriously tho it's super easy to incorporate quorn either on the junk food (nugget, fake fish finger) side but also make lasagne, spag bol, fake ham sandwiches, fake turkey roll ups, as the protein in a roast dinner etc.

I think whatever you do, you should stay away from fake meat products, including quorn. Stick to things like lentils, chickpeas, etc. Tofu is also a great source of protein.

See my OP - vegan not vegetarian.

Yeah we do a fair amount of quorn but then people (like the person just below you) who say avoid it at all costs 🤷‍♀️so not sure what else to try.

I know 'lentils' etc is the ideal - eating healthily as a vegan adult is easy - but no idea how to get an extremely fussy toddler to eat a plate of lentils.

Creamy chickpea curry using coconut milk.
Bolengnese with quorn mince
Mild chili with above

Make sure she's having a multivitamin.
How are they with cheese and yogurts?
What milk alternative are you using? Oatly whole (dark blue) carton is great.

You may wish to seek an appointment with a dietician.

But in the OP you say she is vegetarian, she simply doesn't like eggs and you believe dairy doesn't agree with her.

Not liking eggs doesn't mean she can't have eggs - you can try them in other dishes where they don't appear as an identifiable ingredient.

Dairy is a good source of protein for picky toddlers usually. How sure are you that it really causes her a problem?

Even where there is sensitivity to dairy its usually a subset of dairy. I've never been able to tolerate cows milk, nor could two of my DC but cultured products such as cheese/yogurt are fine. Others can eat high fat dairy but not low fat. Unless you have a diagnosed dairy allergy its worth trying different options before removing dairy from a vegetarian diet.

Otherwise lots of pulses, whole grains and tofu in patties, casseroles etc provided mine with protein and calcium.

I think you have to pick your battles, fed is best and all that. Quorn is low fat, high fibre, although some products can be higher in salt so it isn't something I'd serve at every meal. But as a vegetarian I really like it as a source of protein, the base products are really adaptable to regular meat recipes, and I find the texture and taste decent, unlike a lot of other fake meat. Things like the nuggets, cocktail sausages, sausage rolls are definitely not heath food, so I'd use them as an occasional food just as I would their meat counterparts (but so handy for picnics etc.) but if you are struggling to get her enough protein that might outweigh the salt / fat concerns in the short term.

Lentils are great too but you are right, they aren't easy for a fussier eater. A shepherd's pie is the best way to conceal them in my experience. Hummus is a good option for chickpeas (super easy to make your own too), and most kids seem to like it with carrot / cucumbers sticks. On dairy is it lactose that's the problem? There are lots of lactose free dairy products (cheese, milk) which could be worth a try (it's regular cow's milk just with the lactose part removed).

Lentils may be easier than you think - lentil soup is surprisingly popular with all the toddlers at my son's nursery. Apparently they blend it smooth (as I learnt when my DS cried at my puy lentil soup and said he wanted 'normal soup'. I have also had success with a range of different beans, building on his toddler enthusiasm for baked beans.

Nut butters are easy to give, assuming no issue with nuts. You can get various ones without added salt or sugar.

Lentil and veg soup is a good shout. Also, lentils used in bolognaise instead of mince. If you use Quorn mince, you could use a mix of mince and lentils and gradually reduce the Quorn until it's all lentils.

You can also use lentils to make things like pancakes or fritters with vegetables added in.

This lentil bolognese is a favourite with my children.

rainbowplantlife.com/10-ingredient-vegan-red-lentil-bolognese/

Unless she's vegetarian for religious reasons surely the easiest way to make sure she's getting enough good quality protein is by giving her good quality meat.

Even most fussy kids will eat chicken, salmon, etc.

I'd be cautious about cutting out dairy unless you've had clinical advice to do so. And I'd keep trying eggs. Both so important if no meat or fish. Otherwise, put lentils in pasta sauce, and try that protein pasta. Curries with pulses in, Dhal, lentil cottage pie. And unless it's for religious reasons, I'd really suggest giving some high quality meat or fish, until they can decide for themselves.

It’s the vegan board not AIBU or chat.

And I'm saying that as I have a dairy intolerant child.
When she was young she was "hungry" for meat and fish. She likes pluses but I would have struggled to fill her up without meat at some meals.

Mine are both fussy but will eat pancakes, I use 3 or 4 eggs in the mix to get extra protein in. Can you try that, with a non-dairy milk? Also gram flour is higher in protein and tasty, if you can get her to eat it without noticing.

What great advice on the vegan board!

Have you tried soya milk OP? Alpro do one called growing up milk aimed at this age group.

What about hummus on the toast? Or falafel as a snack?
Re getting her to eat lentils - what about a creamy dal made with coconut milk? Or in cottage pie?

OK. Shall leave you to it then. Just saw it in active conversations and I'm interested in vegan recipes as I have a dairy intolerant child.

Dairy problems can typically stem form either the sugars ( most common) or the proteins in milk

May be worth trying lactose ( that's the sugar in milk ) free diary products - milk and cheese both available

My kids aren't vegan but I am and feed them vegan food all the time so watching this thread with interest!

My toddler dd is currently eating pasta with mixed beans (Aldi tin), veg from the freezer, some passata and a tiny bit of nutritional yeast (Sainsburys).

Quorn??

no way I'd be consistently feedin that to a child.

Along with many many other adults it causes me to have an upset stomach. If you haven't, you should really read up on it.

@Rosesanddaisies1 I'm sorry but you are completely wrong and being really disrespectful to veganism - it can be completely healthy so please stop spreading misinformation. Vegans never do this on chats about meat I've noticed.

I am completely healthy and have every nutrient I need. WHO says in black and white veganism is healthy for all ages. The op just wants some ideas.