Raising children on a vegan diet.

What problems do parents face in everyday life?

One challenge is fear the pediatrician judging or opposing their choices for their kids.

Most Italian parents responding to a survey didn't even ask the pediatrician about their

vegan diet, but when they did, half of them thought the quality of information was insufficient.

Despite this barrier, most parents were regularly offering diverse food groups and a regular

B-12 supplement.

They had sought information from dietitians, nutritionists, and scientific websites about

vegan diets, and were well aware of the importance of implementing a well-planned

vegan diet for their kids.

One of our favorite resources for raising plant-based families is nourish by Sean Davis.

Other studies have shown that parental knowledge is key to ensuring healthy nutrition in young childhood.

And parents should be educated about risks of nutritional deficiencies, along with principles of a healthy plant-based diet.

In discussing the appropriateness of vegan diets for kids, there is a recurring concern that nutrient

deficiencies may occur if children do not accept nutrient-rich food groups, such as nuts,

legumes, and whole grains, which are required to reach a balanced nutrient intake.

But remember the veggie study of German children and adolescents that I highlighted in a previous video?

The vegan kids had a more diverse and healthful plant food pattern,

consuming the highest amount of vegetables, whole grains, and beans,

compared to vegetarian and omnivorous kids.

While the adolescent omnivores tended to exceed the maximum recommended meat intake for adults

as recommended by the German Nutrition Society.

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