Protein (Meat vs Dairy)

Well, there is sort of something magical about meat when we're talking protein. Animal products have all the essential amino acids that the body is incapable of making. Plant products (with the exception of only a few, like quinoa) only have 1 or a few of the essential amino acids.

Dairy is an animal product and thus will have all the essential amino acids needed for growth and repair. No need to worry about a difference between the two as far as protein is concerned.

There are TONS of ways to get protiens into your DD's diet ... what about beans and lentils -- my son LOVES beans and cornbread, pork n beans, black beans & corn w/ sauteed spinach, bean soups etc ... Dairy, we run with as an almost daily source -- plus you should only consume meat 3-4 times a week as a main course.

Don't forget the beans : ). Garbanzo beans, green beans, quinoa (rice like stuff that has TONS of it, black beans, hummus (made from garbanzo beans). Cheese also has protein... You can find non-meat ways of getting protien. Good luck : )

Yep--it's the same thing.

And always remember to look at what she eats overall--not just that day. It's OK to skip meat completely some days!

My middle daughter has sensory issues, so eating meat is usually a flop. She gets the majority of her protein from soymilk, peanut butter, and yogurt. I can occasionally get her to eat a few green beans if I let her "help" me cook or let her put hot sauce on them. She does sometimes enjoy ham or chicken cutlets, and I can sometimes get her to eat pork tenderloin cutlets (again if I let her dip it in hot sauce). But those times are few and far between.

My other daughters will eat a wide variety of foods so I'm lucky there... of course now that I've posted this they're probably going to refuse supper tonight. :-)

There's also protein in whole grains (and especially in grains like Quinoa) and mushrooms (my kids love a pasta sauce I make with sauted mushrooms pureed with cream and a little thyme). You could also try vegetarian meat products (my kids love tofu pups). We're vegetarian, so I try to make sure my kids get at least two different sources of protein (dairy, soy, nuts, legumes, grain, etc.) a day so they get all the different amino acids in the different proteins. Also, my understanding is that not eating meat every now and then isn't a nutritional concern as long as there are other sources of protein. Good luck.

People actually need far less protein than we eat in the US. The healthiest people in the world eat a plant-based diet and virtually no animal products anyway.

My baby eats very little dairy and meat. We do give beans and rice, small amounts of peanut butter and occasional eggs. I'm sure it's fine.

My 2 year old is also iffy on eating meat but always likes cheese (one of her first few words) or beans. I have learned to add canned, well rinsed beans to many recipes. It is easy, fairly inexpensive and healthy for everyone in the family. Tacos or burritos with beans and rice are a popular dinner with my kids.

Protein is protein. As long as she isn't just getting it from one source she's probably fine. Try beans, tofu, nuts, whole grains in addition to the dairy. We worry too much about protein when there are other things our children need just as much. If your daughter is eating a wholesome diet and getting enough calories then she is getting enough protein.

100 calories of broccoli has as much protein as 100 calories of steak, you just have to eat a lot more broccoli to get to 100 calories. There is nothing magical about meat.

EDIT-Just to clarify I did not say that broccoli and steak had the exact same protein in them, I said they had the same amount of protein per calorie. Broccoli also does contain all of the essential amino acids (those we cannot make) and if paired with other whole foods (which do not have to include meat) will give you complete protein, which is why I mentioned variety in my second sentence.

I agree with what's been said; quinoa and beans are terrific sources of protein. Now, my daughter would not eat prepared quinoa, but for a long time loved it as a hot cereal (available in health food stores, pre-prepared that way), and you can find things like garbanzo beans that are freeze dried and great and popular finger snacks at Trader Joes.
Don't forget nuts. Almonds especially are so so good for you; my Téa has an almond butter sandwich for snack every day and loves it. Currently she is on a raw cashew kick.
She'll be fine!
also, it is very common for babies and toddlers to be hot and cold with foods. If she's eating them sometimes, I'm sure you're fine anyway.

Your daughter is getting protein from the dairy she's eating, and she will be fine with that and the occasional days that she eats meat. Animal proteins are complete proteins, so she is getting all of her amino acids with the dairy. But, protein in broccoli is NOT the same as protein in steak, as another poster put it. Broccoli does have minimal protein in it, but it is not complete. If she will eat grains and beans together, that will also give her a complete amino acid profile. If she is not eating red meats, then make sure she is getting other sources of iron in her diet.