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It's Not Easy Being Green
Preteen Vegetarians
By Kelly Burgess
In fact, the USDA Food and Nutrition Board recommends that protein should provide only about 6 percent of our total daily calories, but the average intake in the United States is much higher. In addition, meat, poultry and eggs are not the only good sources of protein. Protein is also found in wheat, green vegetables, nuts, beans, soy products and seeds, to name just a few. The lacto-ovo vegetarian can also get protein from eggs, cheese, milk and yogurt.
There's no doubt that there has been an increased focus on a healthy diet in recent years by meat eaters and non-meat eaters alike. This has led to a dramatic increase in healthy food choices in supermarkets and to a rise in whole food stores. This makes shopping for the vegetarian much easier.
On Vegetarianteen.com, there are horror stories about kids with parents who absolutely refuse to accept their decision to become vegetarian. Watkins says that this is not unusual, and she even knows of cases where the parents refuse to buy food for their children, so they have to pick around the family meal or purchase their own food.
Melanie Jordan, author of Have Your Cheeseburger and Keep Your Health Too, says parents should take the time to educate themselves about vegetarianism and some of the alternatives to eating meat as protein. Jordan, who doesn't call herself a vegetarian but eats no meat or poultry, points out that a well-balanced diet of wholesome foods is important for everyone.
