Planning Plant-based & Vegetarian Meals for Kids in Nurseries
18th February 2025
By Charlotte Stirling-Reed
Incorporating plant-based and vegetarian meals for kids into your nursery settings can have many benefits, not only for children, staff, and parents.
As nursery staff, it’s essential to understand the importance of catering to all dietary needs and preferences while also promoting a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.
This blog will explore the benefits of plant-based eating, provide tips for the successful implementation of a balanced diet for children, and highlight the nutritional considerations necessary for creating healthy vegetarian meals.
Benefits of Vegetarian Meals for Kids
Vegetarian food and balanced veggie meals can have many benefits for children:
Nutritional Benefits
Plant-based meals (if they are balanced) can be rich in essential nutrients such as fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They can also encourage a higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, which are important, healthy foods which can support children’s growth and development.
Variety and Positive Eating Patterns
Introducing children to a variety of plant-based foods can expand their palates and encourage more adventurous eating habits. This exposure helps in developing a lifelong appreciation for diverse and nutritious foods. We know that variety and diversity in the diet from a young age is beneficial to health, but also for encouraging more of an acceptance for a variety later in life too. Nursery is an ideal setting to help kids to explore a variety of different foods.
Health Benefits
Vegetarian diets rich in plant-based foods are associated with lower risks of chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. They also are likely to promote better digestion and overall well-being.
Environmental Impact
Plant-based diets are more sustainable and have a lower environmental footprint compared to meat-based diets. By reducing meat consumption, nurseries can contribute to the fight against climate change and promote a greener future.
Nutritional Considerations on Vegetarian Meals in Your Nursery
If you’re thinking of including more plant-based meals for kids or even whole nursery menus that are plant-based, this might mean reducing levels of meat, fish and sometimes dairy within the menu. For this reason, it’s important to ensure the menus are still able to provide the nutrients typically found in this type of food by introducing meat substitutes and following our tips below.
Here are some key nutrients and their plant-sourced alternatives:
Iron: Lentils, beans, tofu, quinoa, and fortified cereals.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Chia seeds, soy, flaxseeds, walnuts, hemp seeds and some oils.
Iodine: Fortified foods such as plant milk and alternative dairy sources (children on a vegan diet will need fortified foods or a supplement of iodine), dairy and fish are also sources.
Zinc: Chickpeas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Looking for a delicious and easy vegetarian kid recipe? Try this Veggie Lasagne – it's perfect for a vegetarian family meal time!
Tips for Implementing Plant-Based Meals for Kids
If you want your nursery to be completely “plant-based”, it’s good to seek advice from a Registered Nutritionist or Dietitian to ensure that they are balanced and provide all the nutrients that growing children need. However, if you’re just trying to help your nursery menus to be a little more “plant-based” here are some tips for creating them:
Plan Balanced Meals
Ensure that each meal includes a variety of food groups to provide a well-rounded diet. Combine proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Don’t forget about the “protein” food group, which generally includes meat or fish, but you can easily swap these out for beans, lentils, Quorn, tofu, pulses, etc.
Introduce Gradually
Start by incorporating one or two plant-based meals and snacks per week. Gradual introduction helps children adapt to new flavours and textures without overwhelming them.
Make It Fun
Engage children in the process by involving them in meal preparation or gardening activities. Fun presentations and creative recipes can make plant-based meals more appealing. You can also help them learn about different plant-based foods to help them become more familiar.
Educate and Communicate
Educate staff and parents about the benefits of vegetarian food for kids. Clear communication helps in gaining support and understanding from everyone involved.
Use Familiar Dishes
Modify familiar recipes to include plant-based ingredients. For example, make spaghetti with lentil Bolognese or tacos with black beans and vegetables.
Final thoughts
Adopting plant-based and vegetarian meals in nursery settings is a positive step towards a healthier, more sustainable future. With careful planning and a gradual approach, nurseries can successfully introduce these meals, ensuring they are nutritious and enjoyable for all children. Embracing this movement not only caters to diverse dietary needs but also fosters a culture of health and environmental consciousness.
Nurseries can play a pivotal role in shaping the eating habits and preferences of the next generation, promoting a lifetime of healthy choices.
Need help planning your nursery vegetarian menu? Zebedees offers a range of delicious and nutritious vegetarian dishes, making it easier for nurseries to provide balanced plant-based options.
Check our nursery menus.
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