Healthy Vegan meals for toddler? I'm running out of ideas!?

Question

The only milk a human needs is breastmilk...and she gets plenty of that. Save the cow's milk for the baby cow's. I get calcium from green leafy veggies.

Answer 1

I think it's hilarious that people are so appalled at feeding a child a vegan diet, but they think nothing of giving kids nothing but chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, cookies, and french fries.

Most parents in Amercia raise their kids on a diet of 90% cheese, milk, white flour and sugar.  And 1/3 of American kids are obese.

People are so brainwashed by the advertising of the meat and dairy industries, it's unreal.

I don't cook for toddlers, but I'm sure there are plenty of "vegan kids" books and websites.  Do a Google search.

Answer 2

Maybe wait until toddler is old enough to decide for him/herself to be vegan or not.

Answer 3

In all honesty...you should be VERY careful in making your baby vegan.   Actually, I strongly discourage it.  Humans are mammals, and our defining characteristic is our mammary glands that produce milk.  We need dairy products, especially milk...and most importantly, in our developmental state.  Some people swear they can get the nutrition through vitamins and supplements, but I would be concerned with having a diet for a baby that requires supplements.

Osteoporosis is strongly linked to poor calcium level in infants and kids.  Also, many scientists have questioned the vegan diet as being ethical for babies and kids.   I am not trying push you to do anything you don't want...especially with meat.   But with dairy...it is the defining characteristic of our group of species, and I would expect there is a strong benefit.

Answer 4

Pretty much anything with potatoes like baked, mashed and fried...

http://www.theveggietable.com/recipes/re...

Alot of those are vegetarian but many are completely vegan.

People shouldn't say "you shouldn't raise your child vegan" because so many people raise their child to have the same religion, beliefs, and morals... And they usually eat the same,. She wouldn't be a vegan if she supported the meat industry by buying meat for her kid.

Good job.

Go Veg.  

Answer 5

A vegan diet can be healthy for any age, but it's important to be certain your child is getting all the nutrients they need. B12 is of course a special concern.

Here's some links to recipes & nutrition info.

As to rebekkah: once the child is grown they can decide whether to eat meat or not for themselves. So long as a parent is considering the child's health foremost, it's up to them to decide what's appropriate to feed them.

Given how many parents take their kids to McDonalds and feed them Kraft Dinner half the time, and the epidemic of childhood obesity we're seeing, a vegan diet is likely going to be much better than average.

To "USA": It is not natural for humans to drink the milk of other animals. Cow's milk is for baby cows. It's natural for humans to breastfeed, and every vegan mother should. We don't need animal milk, or meat, at any age in order to be healthy so long as we eat a properly balanced diet and are getting all the nutrients we need. That isn't difficult on a vegan diet. As I said, the major concern is B12.

This is a scientifically supported position, held by mainstream dietary organizations.

http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada...

Answer 6

Ha! These omnis are KILLING me! Who asked them anyway?

You are doing what you feel is best for your child. Like others said, a well-balanced vegan diet is *way* healthier than allowing your toddler to eat fast food, greasy food, meat and dairy that is pumped full of hormones. Good Lord!

I applaud you for trying to ensure that your daughter is healthy.

I digress. You asked for meal ideas. Here are a few I thought of:

~baked sweet potatoes (cut into chunks) with a bit of vegan butter on them, green peas and brown rice pilaf

~lightly cooked baby carrots with a sweet glaze, spinach and quinoa

~vegetable stir fry (with or without tofu/seitan) and veggie egg rolls

~steamed broccoli, whole wheat pasta salad and a veggie dog

~twice-baked spaghetti with garlic breadsticks

I hope that helps and I wish you all the best sister!

Answer 7

Get a consult from the pediatrician or pediatric nutritionist about what the toddler needs then use vegan ingredients to meet those requirements. At this stage, it is much more important for the child to meet his/her nutritional requirements than to have to conform to the lifestyle choice of the mother.  

Answer 8

Make homemade fruit smoothies with yogurt, frozen fruit, 100% juice and ground walnuts. Any leftover smoothie can be used for homemade popsicles.

Our kids love applesauce squeezers and Stoneyfield organic yogurt squeezers frozen; a freezie pop without all the junk! Cut them in half so your toddler can hold one in each hand and parents won't have to push them up as often.

Make a Toddler Trail Mix out of Organic Raisins (non-organic raisins are among one of the dirtiest foods), Organic Chocolate Chips and Honey-Nut O's. Then put them in a Sip 'N Snak. They will think they are so cool.

Put organic applesauce and raisins on top of pancakes instead of syrup. Make a fruit face for fun!

Cut bananas into coins (or slice coins in half for smaller children), then let your toddler crush Honey Grahams in a baggie (you can even give them a toy hammer). Place the bananas in the graham cracker crumbs and let your toddler shake the bag to coat them.

If you're having a difficult time getting your toddler to eat yogurt, try letting him/her crush a couple Animal Cookies  in a baggie and let them sprinkle it on top of the yogurt. Or they could use the yogurt as a dip for fruits.  Hope This Helped ! :)