Are vegan and vegetarian diets healthy for children?

For parents or caregivers who raise children, it is important to ensure that you follow a healthy and balanced diet, that it is important to check that they do not consume too much sugar or food. eat their five fruits and vegetables a day.

With regard to children's diets with a vegan or vegetarian diet, a new set of guidelines released Thursday by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) states that they must consume at least three servings of protein per day for consume enough zinc. and iron.

The organization points out that even though children who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet can lead a healthy life, it is recommended that parents consult a GP to know how to make sure their children consume the proper amount of food. Nutrients.

"It can be difficult for young children to have enough vitamins A and B12, riboflavin, iron, zinc, calcium and iodine," says the BNF.

But how to make sure that a vegan or vegetarian child has a nutritious and balanced diet?

An herbal diet can be as nutritious as a non-vegan diet

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, there is no reason why a vegan diet does not provide an appropriate amount of nutrients to the infant.

"The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics believes that vegetarian diets, including vegan diets, are well planned, that they are healthy and nutritionally sufficient and that they can be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases, "says the organization.

"These diets are suitable for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, badfeeding, infancy, childhood, adolescence, senior age and athletes."

What to do when a child begins to follow a vegan or vegetarian diet

A vegan diet includes only herbal foods, while a vegetarian diet may include animal by-products such as milk, eggs, and cheese.

According to nutritionist Lily Soutter, if food groups are cut off from the child's diet, it is essential that parents or guardians seek the advice of a nutritionist or dietician.

"Growing children have more nutrient and energy needs for their height than adults," says Soutter. L & # 39; Independent.

"However, vegan diets can often be bulky and high in fiber, which means that children can feel full before they have consumed enough calories or nutrients."

Soutter adds that if children consume an amount of "inadequate" energy, their growth can be "delayed".

"It is therefore important to focus on consuming foods that are high in energy and nutrients, such as nuts, seeds, hummus, bananas and healthy fats," says the nutritionist.

Variety is the key

A spokesman for the BNF tells L & # 39; Independent that the key to ensuring that a vegan or vegetarian child follows a healthy diet is to ensure that it is varied.

According to the new BNF guidelines, children are advised to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, three servings of dairy products and two servings of protein.

"Plant foods have very different amino acid profiles than animal proteins, but vegetarians and vegetarians can get all the amino acids they need by consuming various plant sources of protein, such as legumes and legumes. cereals, "said the spokesman.

They explain that children who follow a vegan diet should consume foods rich in nutrients, such as avocados, tofu, bananas, nuts, veggie butters, vegetable oils and vegan spreads.

They add that since meat is a "good supplier of easily absorbable iron," alternative sources of iron are essential, especially for growing children.

Nutrient alternatives for iron from meat include whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, fortified cereals and dried apricots.

If a child is vegan, it is important to note that he may not consume enough vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps the body's blood cells stay healthy. It is found in animal by-products such as milk and eggs.

The BNF spokesperson recommends buying an enriched breakfast cereal containing the nutrient as a sufficient alternative.

Is badfeeding vegan?

According to the NHS, it is recommended that all babies be exclusively badfed until they are six months old, whether they are high in vegans or not.

Although some may think that this contradicts vegan beliefs, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) explains that this is not the case.

"Many vegan mothers are often asked if they plan to badfeed their babies, as vegans even avoid bad milk. But if badfeeding is a choice that humans must make, then cows and other animals abused for milk production do not, "says the animal rights organization.

"Like all mammals, a human mother produces milk for the sole purpose of feeding her baby. So for vegan mothers and their babies, there is no moral contradiction in badfeeding. "

The Vegan Society says its diet should include iron sources, found in beans, chickpeas, lentils and tofu.

The Vegan Society also recommends avoiding adding salt or sugar to the baby's first foods.

For more information on how to provide a vegan child with a healthy and nutritious diet, visit The Vegan Society's website here.