How can my 12 year old daughter become a vegetarian?!?!

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I went vegetarian when I was 12. To be honest it's extremely easy. I went vegetarian with no support and barley any education, and 3 years later doctors tell me I'm completely normal and healthy.
Protein is available in nearly every single food. The average American consumes more then twice the protein they need, so I can guarantee she'll be fine. To find out how much protein she needs a day, multiply her weight by .42 (for ages 11-13).
If she's wanting to cut both meat AND dairy, then she would actually be considered vegan. I would urge her to at least try being vegetarian for about 3-6 months first, so she can at least have dairy while she adjusts. I've been vegetarian for about 3 years and I'm just now starting to go vegan.
The most popular form of vegetarianism is Lacto-ovo vegetarianism, which means you don't eat any meat (no fish included), but you do eat dairy products and eggs. This would be a good start for her.
If you're still worried about her nutrition, try following the vegetarian food pyramid: http://www.vegetariannutrition.org/food-…
Avoid eating excessive processed food. I recommend buying whole wheat bread instead of white, 1% milk instead of 2% or whole milk, ect.
If she is close to being 13, try this website: http://www.sparkteens.com
It's actually a weight loss website for teens, but if you enter her information (height, weight, age, ect) and then choose "healthy-lifestyle" plan instead of the weight loss plan, and go to the nutrition section, you'll be given a set of nutrient goals just for her. It will show how many calories, carbs, fats, proteins, calcium, iron, ect. she needs in order to maintain weight. That should help.
But besides that, I'm sure she'll be fine as long as she doesn't eat pizza and cupcakes all day. Good luck:)

IF she doesn't want meat, thats vegetarian.
If she doesn't want milk, eggs, ect animal products, that is vegan. Just so you know, and you can look up anything you become too concerned about. :)

Proteins may come from:
-Edame (ed-i-mom-ey) beans
-nuts (good ones are almonds and peanuts)
-bocca burgers
-beans (if she doesn't like regular beans, try chick peas a little cooked :) )
-broccoli is pretty good
-tofu
And theres a lot more! Thats just basic sources :)

Calcium:
-Kale (veggie, leafy, bitter at first but once you get used to it its pretty yummy, I;d say)
-Broccoli
-kiwi (i think? I heard something about kiwi, kiwi has alot of vitamins, either way)
Blackberries
Blackcurrants
Dates
Grapefruit
Mulberries
Orange
Pomegranate
You can look up more, but I don't bother much with calcium, due to I take extra nutrition pills of 1,200 g (liquid tablets)

fats:
<She doesn't really NEED fats, but they can be good.>
-avacados
-any nuts
-beans

Iron:
Avocado
Blackberries
Blackcurrant
Boysenberries
Breadfruit
Cherries
Dates
Figs
Grapes
Kiwi

So much more fruits and veggies for nutrition here!! Even more vitamins and minerals I didn't add:
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/mi…

I became a vegetarian when I was nine, for similar reasons as your daughter. My family had similar concerns about protein ad it is an essential nutrient. I advise foods such as: Quorn, pulses such as lentils, baked beans etc. I also found The Vegetarian Society a big help as there's lots of advice and information for anyone wanting to be a vegetarian on the website.

I advise you and your daughter check out these websites as they may be able to answer any more of your questions.

www.vegsoc.org
www.quorn.co.uk/Home/

I hope this helps you out

Hannah

Being a vegetarian

Plant protein provides the same health benefits as animal protein: soy, lentils, nuts

Im a vegetarian. Have been for 1 1/2 yrs :) this website it helpful
http://www.livestrong.com/article/246196…

Getting protein on a vegetarian isnt hard, all vegetarian foods have it. Beans, rice and pasta are good sources of it.

vegetarian doesnt mean strictly veggies. she can eat anything but meat. but the best source of protien is tofu.

Beans and nuts and green veggies .