Whether following an omnivore, flexitarian, vegetarian, or vegan dietary pattern, you need to plan what your kids eat and involve them in the process. Starting to eat more sustainably will mean eating and discovering different foods and this should try to be a fun experience for kids.
The key principles of healthy and sustainable eating are to focus on wholefoods, mainly plant-based foods, minimally processed foods, seasonal and local fruits and vegetables, while minimising food packaging. These eating behaviours are also the foundation of a healthy diet, and can optimise the nutrition of all family members, including adults, adolescents, children and babies.
It's important to remember, that the current dietary intake of Australian children (most of whom follow an omnivore diet – so eat meat, fish and chicken) do not meet their nutrient needs. The evidence is well established about what nutrients our kids needs and how much of each nutrient they need. A well-planned sustainable diet can meet the nutrient requirements of adults and children alike.
To learn more about different dietary patterns (e.g. flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan diets) and the nutrients to consider, delve into the relevant sections of the Eat Sustainably nutrition education hub; flexitarian, vegetarian, vegan.