Vegetarian Protein Options
 

Can someone give me some ideas of what to serve for the protein/entree at lunch for a child who doesn't eat meat? I try to serve only real food on my menus, but I do incorporate meat at lunch time most of the time. Other than peanut butter I'm having a hard time thinking of what options I could do. I realize that's just because meat has always been considered the entree in our family which isn't necessarily a healthy thing, but I honestly don't know how to go about preparing meals for new dcg who is a vegetarian. Dcm said her dad is really strict about it, but she allows her to taste whatever is being served, but typically they don't serve her meat. So...she's not asking me to tweak my menus. She said whatever I serve will be fine and dcg can eat it, or just eat the veggie, but I'd like to have some options for her. Thanks!

Originally Posted by mamamanda:
Can someone give me some ideas of what to serve for the protein/entree at lunch for a child who doesn't eat meat? I try to serve only real food on my menus, but I do incorporate meat at lunch time most of the time. Other than peanut butter I'm having a hard time thinking of what options I could do. I realize that's just because meat has always been considered the entree in our family which isn't necessarily a healthy thing, but I honestly don't know how to go about preparing meals for new dcg who is a vegetarian. Dcm said her dad is really strict about it, but she allows her to taste whatever is being served, but typically they don't serve her meat. So...she's not asking me to tweak my menus. She said whatever I serve will be fine and dcg can eat it, or just eat the veggie, but I'd like to have some options for her. Thanks!

Black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, eggs and cheese.

Beans, nuts, cheese, yogurt, peas, eggs. And don't forget there's protein in lots of foods: green veggies, whole grains, etc. It adds up.

Does she eat fish?

What about tuna melts?
Grilled cheese
Cottage cheese
Breakfast skillet for lunch-potatoes (cooked), eggs (beaten) cheese
Homemade Mac n cheese
Scrambled eggs
Cooked egg on an English muffin

There was a long thread on this a while ago, but I'm not the best searcher ;).

My kids like beans and rice (I do homemade baked beans with the little white beans from scratch in the crock pot, not hard at all), lentils & rice, falafal (not hard to make especially with canned chickpeas), stir fry tofu, BBQ tofu, hearty veggie soup with chickpeas over couscous, quiche, red dragon pie, can't think of anything else now. By the way, a lot of things you can do with ground beef you can do with lentils (red dragon pie, sloppy joe, meatballs, etc).

Beans. Very versatile :)

Quesadillas, bean balls, bean burgers, shepherds pie, pasta fajioli, chili

Dairy?

Rachel, what is red dragon pie? And would you mind sharing your recipe for baked beans?

Red Dragon Pie:
http://veganfamily.co.uk/red-dragon-pie/

I use a combo of lentils, white beans, different seasonings. But the idea is ground "beef" on the bottom with veggies and / or rice, and mashed potatoes on top.

Baked beans, Ido white beans, soaked overnight. Then cook up the beans with tomato puree, soy sauce, garlic, onion powder, etc. Serve over rice.

Originally Posted by mamamanda:
Can someone give me some ideas of what to serve for the protein/entree at lunch for a child who doesn't eat meat? I try to serve only real food on my menus, but I do incorporate meat at lunch time most of the time. Other than peanut butter I'm having a hard time thinking of what options I could do. I realize that's just because meat has always been considered the entree in our family which isn't necessarily a healthy thing, but I honestly don't know how to go about preparing meals for new dcg who is a vegetarian. Dcm said her dad is really strict about it, but she allows her to taste whatever is being served, but typically they don't serve her meat. So...she's not asking me to tweak my menus. She said whatever I serve will be fine and dcg can eat it, or just eat the veggie, but I'd like to have some options for her. Thanks!

soups: kale and bean soup, lentil soup, vegetable soup, etc My dc toddler loves these! Recipes can be found online.