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Órgano Oficial del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría

2006, Number 4

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Acta Pediatr Mex 2006; 27 (4)

Vegetarian diet in children. Advantages, disadvantages and dietary recommendations

López PL, García CM, Montijo BE, Cervantes BR, Mata RN, Ramírez MJ

Language: Spanish
References: 21
Page: 205-212
PDF size: 366.30 Kb.


ABSTRACT

To be a vegetarian means to eat vegetable foods only. Restrictive diets increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, but a well planned vegetarian diet, can meet the requirements for children’s growth and normal development. To improve the quality of vegetable proteins it is important to combine cereals and legumes. The amount recommended by age groups in grams per day for vegetarian children is higher than the amount required for non vegetarian children. Calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 are found in fortified food such as breakfast cereals and a supplement could be necessary. To avoid reduction of body iron deposits it is better to eat food rich in iron as well as vitamin C. It is very important not to exceed fiber intake in these children but to encourage lipids intake with high energy snacks to guarantee the use of proteins for structural function and not as an energy source. It is important to evaluate periodically anthropometric and biochemical parameters of vegetarian children and follow physical growth and maturation.


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