Suggestions on toddler diet?

[5xblessed]

Just returned from MD appointment for my 18mo ds. We recently switched from lacto-ovo to a vegan diet. The pediatrician expressed concern about the adequacy of this. I know a vegan diet can be adequate but I wonder if I'm doing a good job offering the right things to my ds. He does still nurse 4-5 times a day (usually pretty quick though because he doesn't like to sit still ;-)
Today he has had 1/4 c oatmeal and 2 oz soymilk, snack of banana and 2 oz soymilk, 1/2c veg soup,slice whole wheat bread and juice, raisins and 2 oz soy milk, and 1/4 c tabouli, couple bites pita bread and hummus and water. Anything else I should add? All suggestions welcome.

[Erin Pavlina]

that sounds pretty good to me for an 18 month old.

Continue to offer your son whole grain foods and healthy snacks. Use fortified soy milk or rice milk (switching periodically is good). If you're going to give him juice, make sure it's watered down and find one that is fortified.

If you want, give him KidBear vegan vitamins (chewable and delicious). KidBear is one of VegFamily's sponsors and is giving away free samples of their vitamins. Don't miss out if you haven't ordered them yet. Go to www.vegfamily.com/product-reviews/index.htm to find out how to get the samples.

Read Becoming Vegan by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina. They are two nutritionists. Their book is really required reading for vegan parents when it comes to nutrition. Great book!

Read our review at www.vegfamily.com/book-reviews/becoming-vegan.htm

Keep posting and asking questions. You're doing fine!

[5xblessed]

Thanks for the reassurance. Toddlers everywhere probably don't eat as much as their mothers want. Just nice to hear someone say you're doing ok.

[Maggie]

Wow, it sounds like he's eating great - a variety of healthful foods, plus he's still nursing!
Joanne Stepaniak has just come out with a book called "Raising Vegetarian Children". You might want to check it out.
Peace,
Maggie