After a couple of weeks we are still figuring it out, but Emily seems to be doing good which is what is most important to me.

All of your support was GREATLY appreciated.

1. Make sure Emily is taking a good multivitamin.
2. If you have Emily speak to a doctor or dietician about her choice, make sure that person is also a vegetarian. Doctors and dieticians are just as steeped in the American culture and its emphasis on protein as the rest of us. We don't actually need that much protein in our diets and there are plenty of great plant based sources.
3. Don't overdo it on the meat substitutes. These are usually high in sodium. Besides, the point is to change your eating habits rather than just eat the same thing.
4. Whey powder is a great source of protein. A spoonful in a smoothie is an easy protein boost and a fun meal.
5. Pasta isn't all bad. The whole wheat kind is tasty and good for you.
6. You can try the stereotypical vegetarian foods (tofu, portobello mushrooms, eggplant, etc…). These things are meant to be “meaty” in flavor although without the meat. I don't like these myself, but Emily might.
7. Get creative with your favorite meat-based recipes! My latest discovery is actually a recipe for chicken enchiladas. Instead of chicken I use whatever extra vegetables are at the bottom of our refrigerator (great for an end of the week meal that uses the last of the vegetables). The veggie enchiladas turn out fabulous and you could always make some chicken ones for the non-herbivores in your household.

I've been a vegetarian since 2003, and in that time I have run thousands of miles, grew a baby, and now I'm feeding a baby. I have managed all of these without easy protein substitutes (I don't like eggs or tofu). I am sure Emily will do great. Tell her to call or email if she wants to talk more about her choices. And yay for a smaller carbon footprint!

Family meal time shouldn't be about the time everyone gets to spend waiting for you to bring food to the table, it should be about the family being together at the table. How much extra time will this put you behind the stove, vs. behind your plate?

I believe after reading a bunch of nutritional information in preparation for our new baby that children should eat a balanced diet. If she is making this decision for a social or moral reason it should be discussed with a counselor and a dietician. If she just “likes it” it should be a family discussion about how her choice will effect everyone. How she may need to compromise and eat certain proteins such as fish or chicken so that daddy can enjoy mealtime and not feel like her own personal chef.

2. She had to help plan all meals ahead of time (in part to show she was following the dieticians advice). The family was still eating meat, but they tried to plan meals where her veg option used some of the same ingrediants as their meal.

3. She had to help make a certain number of meals. I know she made her own breakfast, and packed her own lunch. I think she made a full veg meal for the family once a week and had to help 2 or 3 times a week.

My student was in 5th grade and her Sister was in JH.

We use all kinds of soy-based “imitation” products. Fake hot dogs, fake chicken nuggets, fake ground beef, fake burgers, fake turkey, etc. The flavors are honestly nearly as good in most cases, if not better sometimes.

We always have plenty of protein bars around – that's often the central part of my breakfast after I've worked out.

Tofu is your friend.

Certainly nuts of all kinds. Peanut butter, etc.

I was personally motivated to start this lifestyle because of animal rights, but it has also been a wonderful health decision. I really don't see myself ever going back to meat.

http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/positions/…