Dinner ideas for vegetarian child

[Sixty Second Parent]

My daughter is nearly 11 and is leaning towards being a vegetarian, I am okay with breakfast and lunch ideas, but am struggling with dinner ideas. She will eat dairy and eggs.

[Christian Rene Friborg]

Good to hear that but isn't she too young to practice this? I mean she still needs enough protein from meats and fish. 

[Sixty Second Parent]

Thankfully, I have talked her out of it until she is older. It was for love of animals, so I am making sure I am buying free-range meat and eggs and she is happy with that so far.

[Chloe Patterson]

There are plenty of children who are vegetarian, either because they have vegetarian parents or have decided on it themselves. I think as long as they have enough B12, which is added to many foods anyway she'll be fine. Vegetarian children tend to have more awareness about nutrition etc, which is never a bad thing.

Could you persuade her to eat fish? Lots of meals can be adapted, pizza for example. Vegetarian meat alternatives have inmproved too, veggie sausages and quorn in particular. You could also make a bean bake toppped with tortillas and cheese.

I think what you are doing is great though, she's obviously a bright child who has some awareness of where food comes from, that's quite rare in her age.

[Sixty Second Parent]

Thanks Chloe, she is still leaning, but hasn't gone there yet. We have cut down on meat as a family which is not a bad thing. She asked me about it again the other day, but I can tell she is still on the fence - I will wait until she is really sure. I think I would be able to get her to eat fish - I have a feeling that at around 14 or 15 she will make the decision to be a vegetarian. I liked your meal ideas - we have recently discovered some yummy veggie sausages (not sure if my husband is convinced though)