| Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer is yes! | | | | possibly alleviate any misconceptions they may |
| Far more studies show that a | | | | have.Raising a child on a vegan diet can be challenging |
| typical 'Western Diet' has deleterious effects on health | | | | in today's world of hot-dogs and |
| compared to the risks of a | | | | ice cream, but parents should be assured that |
| vegan diet. In fact, vegetarian diets are associated | | | | research is on their side.The following sources are |
| with disease resistance and even | | | | particularly supportive of vegan diets for children:The |
| higher I.Q.'s in children. (1-5)With proper planning and a | | | | Vegetarian Society UK Vegetarian Resource Group |
| bit of self-education, parents should feel confident in | | | | Vegetarian Union Committee For Responsible Medicine |
| giving their child a diet free of animal products.Healthy | | | | Vegan Brenda Davis, R.D., and Vesanto Melina, M.S., |
| food choices include the following:Protein dense foods: | | | | R.D.1. O'Connell JM, Dibley MJ, Sierra J et al: Growth of |
| beans, soy, whole grains, nuts, etc.Calcium sources: | | | | vegetarian children: The Farm |
| beans, leafy greens, figs, blackstrap molasses, fortified | | | | Study. Pediatrics 1989;84:475-481.2. Fisher M, Levine |
| beverages, | | | | PH, Weiner B, et al. The effects of vegetarian diets on |
| etc.Iron sources: grains, dried fruit, coconut milk, | | | | plasma |
| blackstrap molasses, soybeans, | | | | lipid and platelet levels. Arch Inter Med |
| beans, etc.Zinc sources: nuts, seeds, grains, chickpeas, | | | | 1986;146:1193-1197.3. Chang-Claude J, Frentzel-Beyme |
| soybeans, etc.Avoid wheat and nuts until after one | | | | R, Eilber U. Mortality pattern of German |
| year of age, to avoid possible food | | | | vegetarians after 11 years of follow-up. Epidemiology |
| sensitivities.Supplementation may be necessary for | | | | 1992;3:395-401.4. Thorogood M, Mann J, Appleby P, |
| children who are picky eaters, but most | | | | McPherson K. Risk of death from cancer and |
| nutritional needs can be met through diet. Vitamins D | | | | ischaemic heart disease in meat and non-meat eaters. |
| and B12 may be the | | | | Brit Med J 1994;308:1667 |
| exception, and parents should ensure an optimal | | | | -1670.5. Dwyer JT, Miller LG, Arduino NL, et al. Mental |
| supply through fortified foods or | | | | age and I.Q. of predominately |
| supplements.Finding community support can be very | | | | vegetarian children. J Am Dietetic Assoc |
| important in helping your child maintain | | | | 1980;76:142-147.Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical |
| healthy eating habits, as vegan diets are often | | | | Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes |
| misunderstood and even feared by | | | | in pregnancy, birth and childhood. She is currently the |
| well-meaning family members, neighbours, and | | | | editor of an online resource for women looking for |
| teachers. Many excellent resources | | | | information on natural health and healing for |
| exist that can help educate those in your child's life | | | | themselves and their families. |
| who have concerns, and | | | | |