If you’re worried about your child’s lack of interest in meat, then it’s probably because you are concerned that he or she is not getting enough protein. The good news is that protein is present in a wide variety of foods, and it’s actually not necessary that your child eats meat at all. In fact, aside from a few vegetables, fruits and fats, almost everything your child eats has protein in it!
Protein is important to our bodies because it contains amino acids. These are used by the body to grow new muscle and tissue, and to repair damage. Very young children only need about 16 grammes of protein a day, and if your child refuses to eat meat, here are a few other sources you can use to make sure your child is getting it:
Cheese sandwiches. Even two slices on a sandwich can give your child three quarters of his or her daily protein requirement.
Cheese pizza provides half of the daily requirements of protein in one slice.
If your child is getting the recommended two cups of milk per day, then he or she is getting half of his or her protein requirements.
Bread, cereal and other grain products also contain protein.
An egg, whether scrambled, boiled or poached, will provide your child with 7 of the 16 grammes of protein he or she requires in a day.
Most children can easily meet, and even exceed, their daily protein requirements without touching meat at all. In fact, the only time you should be concerned is if your child is on a vegan diet. If you are still concerned, then your doctor should be able to refer you to a dietician who can provide you with an eating plan, or recommend suitable dietary supplements.
Protein is important to our bodies because it contains amino acids. These are used by the body to grow new muscle and tissue, and to repair damage. Very young children only need about 16 grammes of protein a day, and if your child refuses to eat meat, here are a few other sources you can use to make sure your child is getting it:
Cheese sandwiches. Even two slices on a sandwich can give your child three quarters of his or her daily protein requirement.
Cheese pizza provides half of the daily requirements of protein in one slice.
If your child is getting the recommended two cups of milk per day, then he or she is getting half of his or her protein requirements.
Bread, cereal and other grain products also contain protein.
An egg, whether scrambled, boiled or poached, will provide your child with 7 of the 16 grammes of protein he or she requires in a day.
Most children can easily meet, and even exceed, their daily protein requirements without touching meat at all. In fact, the only time you should be concerned is if your child is on a vegan diet. If you are still concerned, then your doctor should be able to refer you to a dietician who can provide you with an eating plan, or recommend suitable dietary supplements.
