Before we start, for those who are understandably wondering, no cows are harmed in the making of human breast milk, so yes, it’s vegan. Now that’s cleared up— according to Britain’s National Health Service, Canadian Paediatric Society, American Academy of Paediatrics and other reputable sources, it’s actually safe and healthy to raise a child vegan. But, before I get into the pros of raising mini acai-bowl experts, there are things to note on how to feed them.
First are concerns about nutrients. At their critical stage of development, children need an essential variety of nutrients to grow and stay healthy. Those include iron, protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. The good news is that nearly all of these are found in abundance for your youngster, in plant-based foods. The not-so-bad news is that vitamin B12 is not found directly in plants, but rather, soil. But this isn’t a deal-breaker since you’ll find it in fortified dairy-free milks and cereals, yeast extract or supplements.
Second is the issue with calories. Since plant-based diets have more fibre, kids may get full before taking in the calories they need. The solution? Add to their plate higher caloric density foods like hummous, bananas and nut/seed butters.
Third is consulting a dietician or paediatrician. Google answers won’t do. Be sure to give your child the right variation in their diet to avoid malnutrition, whether it be through lack of calories or certain vitamins – so, check with a professional.
Disclaimers and concerns aside, not only does the British Dietetic Association recognise veganism as suitable for all ages, but given the endless studies linking saturated fats to cancer and cardiovascular disease, it can be quite healthy. Private dietitian Bahee Van de Bor believes that kids can benefit from reduced risk of heart disease, types of cancer and type 2 diabetes, as adults.
Moral of the story: malnourishment on a vegan diet is just malnourishment. Veganism is not the culprit – the calorie count and nutrient variety are. So, if you plan it carefully, a vegan diet is both nutritionally complete and healthy for your child. In other words, bring on the acai!
