Young vegetarians don't make up a huge segment of the population -- a 2005 independent poll totaled them at about three percent -- but they certainly are a growing group. And their choice to ditch meat, and sometimes eggs and dairy too, is becoming quite a popular topic of discussion as some wonder if these kids are getting the nutrition they need from plant sources alone.

It's definitely possible for youngsters to nourish their bodies via vegetarian methods, according to the experts quoted in this article. It's easier than ever, really, because nowadays, grocery stores and even fast-food chains are providing good selections of vegetarian foods. And as a society, we are becoming more and more aware of what it takes to achieve a balanced and healthy diet.

Still, human teeth and digestive systems prove we were designed to eat both animal and vegetable foods, says Kaayla Daniel, a clinical nutritionist in Albuquerque and author of The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food. She isn't against kids' rights to choose. She does suggest they eat fresh dairy and eggs, though. Excluding these items, she says, can lead to serious deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids.

Myrtle McCulloch, assistant professor of nutrition at Georgetown University's Department of International Health in Washington, says her advice for parents of vegetarians, especially vegans, is to make sure they get enough vitamin B{-1}{-2}, which is abundant in animal products and is vital for the central nervous system. B{-1}{-2}-rich eggs and milk products are solid sources. For vegan children, who do not eat any animal product, fortified soy products such as tofu and soy milk are good bets.

If your child is considering a vegetarian lifestyle, McCulloch says this: "Honor your child's wish. If they have been turned off meat for some reason that bears an emotional issue, don't force them not to do it or it may turn into an eating problem. Their vegetarian phase may not be long-lasting, but even if it is, you can teach them to eat healthfully."