Another food question, sorry....

Do you think it's necessary for babies and children to have red meat? JT and I eat no red meat. I haven't had it since I was 10. I do not want to give Ava any red meat at all if I can avoid it. Is that a problem? Can I just give her chicken and turkey?

Re: Another food question, sorry....

I don't see it as a problem... there is plenty of protein in chicken and turkey.

Re: Another food question, sorry....

I'd check with the dr. Red meat carries great amounts of iron which is important.

Re: Another food question, sorry....

I didn't feed my kids red meat until they were much older. It just didn't seem logically to feed them red meat when they had no teeth.
I'm assuming she eats beans?

Message edited 10/20/2006 8:42:55 AM.

Re: Another food question, sorry....

Jacobs iron levels were low so the dotor said tot ry to feed him red meat, unfortunately he won't eat ...

I would check with the dr first..

Re: Another food question, sorry....

We don't feed Alex ANY meat... we consulted with three pediatricians and a pediatric nutritionist who all told us it was just fine to raise a baby without meat... as long as you supplement with other sources of protein sufficiently. Instead of meat, Alex eats 2-3 servings of light fish (i.e. Tilapia) every week, lots of hummus, beans, peanut butter and soy products... I make sure she gets a good source of protein everyday.

Re: Another food question, sorry....

I think as long as she is eating normally otherwise I don't think it's necessary. Our doctor encouraged us to try red meat (she still doesn't really like it) because she has a very poor appetite and he said the zinc in red meat helps encourage her appetite.