Sponsored – Would you like to serve something vegetarian to your child more often? That’s how you do that!

According to research, more and more parents are putting less fish, meat and dairy on the menu. Eating more plant-based food is not only good for you, but also for the world your child grows up in. A day off seems to be becoming more and more important – and tastier. Do you want to know how you can easily put this into your child’s routine? Then please read further.

1. Learned young is done old

If you want to pass on healthy eating habits to your child, start early. For example, do you sometimes eat vegetarian or plant-based? Just let them eat! Even no meat, fish or dairy for once fits perfectly into the diet of the little ones. Make sure you have good substitutes such as protein-rich legumes or tofu. Get excited about trying new foods yourself and your child will follow suit. Make it a goal to try one new plant ingredient per week. Try a dish with lentils this week, quinoa instead of pasta next week, and the next time something with black beans as a base. Search the internet for tasty recipes to incorporate this into – plant-based eating can be a lot of fun. Also give your child ‘tasks’ in the kitchen (even if it’s just sitting there and messing around with a cloth) and it’s an educational party.

2. Make it easy on yourself

You don’t always have to come up with a completely new dish. Start with a dish that your family eats often, and replace the meat with tofu, tempeh or lentils. For example: a pasta Bolognese with a mince of lentils instead of meat, or a curry where you use tofu instead of chicken as a protein source. Are you eating a spicy dish or something you don’t want to give your little one just yet? Then you can also go for a meal from Gerber® Plant-tastic: these are 100% organic and plant-based meals for children from eight months. All meals are made from grains, vegetables and legumes and are therefore a source of vegetable protein. This way you can put a nutritious and vegetarian meal on the table in no time.

3. Choose a fixed day of the week

Plan a fixed day of the week with your family – for example a vegetarian Friday – and do not deviate from it. This way it automatically goes with you during your week and the whole family is quickly used to it. And so it is also a nice variation in your weekly menu. Scheduling a fixed day is clear to everyone and provides regularity and guidance for the whole family.

4. Expand your little one’s palate

Why not kill two birds with one stone? By eating vegetarian for once, you can let your little one try new flavors and textures at the same time. Another healthy eating habit that you can give him or her. Lentils, chickpeas and beans are high in protein and can be used in tasty curries or a stew. How about a coconut curry with cauliflower, a Moroccan tagine or a stew with pumpkin and parsnip? Taste combinations to lick your fingers and by replacing the meat, fish or dairy for something else, you also introduce your little one to new flavors and textures.

5. Choose plant-based during lunch or as a snack

When you think of a plant-based meal, you quickly think of hot food. But why not switch it up during lunch or snacks? You can also introduce your little one to more plant-based products at these eating times. Vary with a plant-based alternative to dairy, or go for nut butter on the sandwich instead of a slice of cheese or sausage. Looking for dairy alternatives for little ones? Gerber® has coconut milk based desserts with fruit puree, without added sugars. Are you on your way? Then try a smoothie drink with oats and fruit, in a handy squeeze bag! An additional advantage: it is dairy-free, so it is also suitable for children with cow’s milk allergy.

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