Letter: Diet dilemma

Annabel Karmel writes that "a well-balanced vegetarian diet, including eggs, dairy products ... is fine for children" (Review, 4 May). This may be true, but so is a well-balanced diet excluding eggs and dairy products. Where is Karmel's evidence that the 25 per cent of children with iron deficiency are mostly vegetarian?

Her statement that she does not believe in "making babies follow a strict vegetarian diet, unless there are particular religious considerations" is offensive. Why are vegetarians seen to be "making" their children conform to their preferences, while those who serve meat to their children are not?

A M Saunders Perkins

Canterbury, Kent