Parents of young children know that strong food likes and dislikes can sometimes be tough to get through with everyone’s sanity intact, especially when you’re concerned about the nutrition your child is getting. If your child has not developed a liking for or has chosen to say no to meat, whether at home or dining out at restaurants, it may be time to think outside the box to ensure your child is getting the nutrition they need with foods they can enjoy. These creative meat alternatives from Kristina Greenert and SuperKidsNutrition can help and are easy to find on restaurant menus coast to coast!
Do you have a child who refuses to eat meat? It’s more common than you may think. Kids go through a variety of different eating patterns as they grow, and many children will, at some point, decide to stop eating meat. This can happen when a child dislikes the texture, temperature, or taste of meat. However, don’t fret! With a little planning, a well-rounded and nutritious diet without meat can be easy and healthy too.
The two most important nutrients in meat are protein and iron, which help little bodies grow big and strong. If your child is not interested in eating meat, it is important to include other foods that are also rich in these two nutrients. Children ages 1-3 years old should consume around 13 grams of protein and 7mg of iron each day, and children ages 4-8 should consume around 19 grams of protein and 10mg of iron each day. Read on to learn the best meat substitutes for your growing child.
- Nut Butters: Make your child a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch or a few crackers with nut butter as a snack. For an even healthier option, try sliced apples dipped in peanut butter, or the classic ants on a log (celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins). Don’t be afraid to experiment with all types of nut butters. Some great varieties to try include almond and cashew butter. Just 2 tablespoons of peanut butter contains 8g of protein 0.6mg of iron. Watch this nut butter dessert recipe video and then try making it with your kids!
- Eggs: Eggs make an excellent meat substitute, and they can be prepared in a variety of ways. Kids love scrambled eggs for breakfast and hardboiled eggs as a snack. Frittatas and omelets are great ways to use up extra vegetables in your fridge, and egg salad on toast makes a great, easy breakfast or lunch. You can even incorporate eggs into recipes such as meatloaf and French toast. One large egg contains 6g of protein and 0.6mg iron.
- Tofu: Try adding silken tofu to fruit smoothies for an easy protein boost. The fruit masks the flavor of the tofu, and your children will think they are having a treat instead of breakfast or lunch. Tofu is also excellent in stir fries, or scrambled up like eggs for easy breakfast tacos. Half a cup of tofu contains 10g of protein and 6.6mg of iron. Try this yummy tofu black bean egg scramble.
- Yogurt: Eating yogurt is a great way to incorporate protein into your child’s diet. Yogurt can also be added to smoothies for extra protein and flavor. Try creating a yogurt parfait with fruit and granola, or freezing yogurt as an alternative to ice cream. Try Greek yogurt for an even bigger protein boost. One single serve container contains about 17g of protein and 0.1mg iron.
- Cheese: Cheese can be eaten by itself as a snack or incorporated into meals. Fun cheesy items include grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese and crackers, or homemade macaroni and cheese. Sprinkling cheese on vegetables is a great way to get kids to try them! A 1-oz cheese stick contains about 7g of protein and 0.2mg iron. Cottage cheese is also an excellent source of protein. Half a cup contains about 13g of protein and 0.2mg iron. Make cheese fun by creating child-friendly cheese balls!
- Beans & Lentils: Beans and lentils are delicious vegetarian sources of protein. Try adding them to soups, using them in chili, or making your own hummus. Half a cup of cooked beans contains about 8g of protein and about 2mg of iron, while ½ cup of cooked lentils contains about 9g of protein and 3mg of iron.
While replacing meat with other protein sources, don’t forget that your child will probably change his or her eating habits with time. Keep introducing meat sources to familiarize your child with different types of protein. Continue to provide many sources of protein and iron, and let your child experiment with a wide variety of foods. You might be surprised at what he or she likes!