First US count finds 1 in 200 kids are vegetarian

A recent government study estimates that's about 1 in 200 children are vegetarians.

Other surveys suggest the rate could be four to six times that among older teens who have more control over what they eat than young children do.

The new estimate of young vegetarians comes from a recent federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study of alternative medicine based on a survey of thousands of Americans in 2007. Information on children's diet habits was gleaned from about 9,000 parents and other adults speaking on the behalf of those under 18.

Bonnie - while in theory, vegetariansim and veganism should promote the consumption of more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes in young people, rarely is this the case. In the multitude of cases that I have seen where young people become vegetarians and vegans, this is what I am presented with:

• Nutrient deficiencies - B-12, vitamin D, and iron are common deficiencies. Not surprisingly, many of these young perssons are chronically fatigued.
  
  
• Protein deficiency - it is very difficult to get enough bioavailable protein. The biggest reason is they "get bored" with the same protein choices over and over. Some come to me severely malnourished and underweight.
  
  
• Carbohydrate overload - when you are eating little or malabsorbed protein, hunger increases. Carbohydrates become the predominate form of calories. Without balance, these excess carbs create weight-gain.
  
  
• "Junk food junkies" - I see many kids who are so desperate for calories, they cling to anything and everything they get their hands on, including doughnuts, candy, soda, and tons of snacks foods. Kids can't understand how they gained so much weight while on the diet. Unfortunately, weight gain occurs frequently. And many kids do not load their diet with fruits and vegetables.
  
  
• Increased food intolerance/allergy - if young vegetarians consume adequate protein (which is rare), eggs and dairy (and to a much lesser degree, fish) are consumed at almost every meal. Of course, they are two of the most allergenic foods. For vegans who attempt to get their much protein from soy (which for many should not even be considered protein because of how poorly it is absorbed), soy is in the top five most allergenic foods.

So you are probably thinking, how can I get my kid to get back to eating a balanced diet with more animal protein? Here are some tips:

• Appeal to their activism - many young people are turned off by what they see on the Internet: in particular, animals that are being treated inhumanely. Instead of letting them test a diet that could be potentially detrimental to their health. Let them know that there are plenty of farmers and meat producers (especially these days) that treat their animals humanely. Seek them out and have your child contact the company to speak with them. Take a tour of the facility. Have them intern at a farm one summer. Spur your kids on to influence more of these companies to treat animals more humanely.
  
  
• See an nutritional expert - in many cases where a young person comes to see me who is not doing well on a vegetarian/vegan diet, once there is an understanding why it is not right for them (looking at bloodwork, health-related symptoms, family history, genetics, and the general science), they feel much more empowered. And it is not their parents telling them either!