Is it safe for a 12 year old girl to go vegetarian?

Answer 1

Monitor B Levels closely.

Common problem with children going vegan or vegetarian is anemia (Iron defic and b vit depletion). Personally I would advise making this life style change later. ( I did at 17)

It takes awhile for B levels to deplete (years), but when they do....not nice. I've let mine go way down a few times, just from lack of thinking about it. Results in exteme fatigue, ankle pain...yada yada. THen the shots! Ouch.

Answer 2

I'm 12 and I became a vegetarian when I was 11 so this means I am a vegetarian for a whole year now.If you don't like it you can stop.But becoming a vegetarian is a big decision, your health the environment and animals depend on it.

Answer 3

yes, but you have to make sure your getting all your complete proteins (beans, whole grains, tofu, soy etc). I knew a few vegetarians when I was in my teens who thought eating lots of fries and white bread made them vegetarian....that's not good, where are they're nutrients when they eat like that? Also, I personally went vegetarian for 3 years and watched my diet and it just didn't do it for me. So, you could try it and see how you like it, it definitely isn't the only way to stay healthy and fit.

Answer 4

Yes, Christie Brinkley turned veg around this age. And she perfectly healthy. Plus, there are lots of healthy food choices. You eat what you normally eat, but without meat and add plenty of vegetables. For protein, they could eat Soy and veggie patties and drink milk; definitely make sure they take their vitamins; And go to: www.goveg.com, for some delicious vegetarian recipes and other useful info about living a vegetarian lifestyle.

Answer 5

There's no harm as long as you're still getting a good nutritional balance. A "normal" diet is better for someone who is growing because meat proteins are more "complete" than dairy or vegetable proteins. Now, that doesn't mean that you'll develop incomplete muscles eating vegetable protein; it just means vegetable protein isn't as effective for building muscle and nourishing a growing body. But as long as you get proteins through whatever source (soy, whey, eggs, cheese, milk, etc.) and as long as you're getting healthy fats from nuts, avocadoes, and plant oils, you should be fine.

Answer 6

Only if you learn how to do it correctly! You still have a lot of growing to do and vegetarians often lack nutrition if they don't know what to eat to do it properly, and that will make an even bigger difference if you're young.

Answer 7

Yes, of course...A lot of cultures are actually raised on vegetarian food. So there is absolutely no harm. However, if you have been eating meat till till now, go gradualy to vegetarianism. Take the advice of your doctor if you want.

Answer 8

Yes.

I know a 12 year old girl that is a vegetrian

Just make sure she gets pleanty of protien becuase not eating meats cuts that out of you're diet. If she does you vegtanian make sure she eats pleanty of, nuts, and breads.

Take a look at this site for more info.

http://www.goveg.com/

Answer 9

Yes, as long as she is getting enough protein, enough calcium, enough iron in her diet. You can use vitamin supplements, if necessary. Talk to your doctor and/or a nutritionist to compare an actual diet (keep a food record) with an ideal diet for a growing girl.

I would avoid a strictly vegan diet, though.

Answer 10

Absolutely. Just make sure that you get plenty of the sources you need for protein and calcium. Peanut butter, beans, and legumes are a good source of protein. I would suggest going lacto-vegetarian (keeping diary products) in your diet.