| Can a child thrive on a vegan diet? The answer is yes! | | | | andpossibly alleviate any misconceptions they may |
| Far more studies show that atypical 'Western Diet' has | | | | have. |
| deleterious effects on health compared to the risks of | | | | Raising a child on a vegan diet can be challenging in |
| avegan diet. In fact, vegetarian diets are associated | | | | today's world of hot-dogs andice cream, but parents |
| with disease resistance and evenhigher I.Q.'s in children. | | | | should be assured that research is on their side. |
| (1-5) | | | | The following sources are particularly supportive of |
| With proper planning and a bit of self-education, | | | | vegan diets for children: |
| parents should feel confident ingiving their child a diet | | | | The Vegetarian Society UK |
| free of animal products. | | | | The Vegetarian Resource Group |
| Healthy food choices include the following: | | | | European Vegetarian Union |
| Protein dense foods: beans, soy, whole grains, nuts, | | | | Physician's Committee For Responsible Medicine |
| etc. | | | | Becoming Vegan Brenda Davis, R.D., and Vesanto |
| Calcium sources: beans, leafy greens, figs, blackstrap | | | | Melina, M.S., R.D. |
| molasses, fortified beverages,etc. | | | | 1. O'Connell JM, Dibley MJ, Sierra J et al: Growth of |
| Iron sources: grains, dried fruit, coconut milk, blackstrap | | | | vegetarian children: The Farm |
| molasses, soybeans,beans, etc. | | | | Study. Pediatrics 1989;84:475-481. |
| Zinc sources: nuts, seeds, grains, chickpeas, soybeans, | | | | 2. Fisher M, Levine PH, Weiner B, et al. The effects of |
| etc. | | | | vegetarian diets on plasmalipid and platelet levels. Arch |
| Avoid wheat and nuts until after one year of age, to | | | | Inter Med 1986;146:1193-1197. |
| avoid possible food sensitivities. | | | | 3. Chang-Claude J, Frentzel-Beyme R, Eilber U. |
| Supplementation may be necessary for children who | | | | Mortality pattern of Germanvegetarians after 11 years |
| are picky eaters, but mostnutritional needs can be met | | | | of follow-up. Epidemiology 1992;3:395-401. |
| through diet. Vitamins D and B12 may be theexception, | | | | 4. Thorogood M, Mann J, Appleby P, McPherson K. |
| and parents should ensure an optimal supply through | | | | Risk of death from cancer andischaemic heart |
| fortified foods orsupplements. | | | | disease in meat and non-meat eaters. Brit Med J |
| Finding community support can be very important in | | | | 1994;308:1667 |
| helping your child maintainhealthy eating habits, as | | | | -1670. |
| vegan diets are often misunderstood and even feared | | | | 5. Dwyer JT, Miller LG, Arduino NL, et al. Mental age |
| bywell-meaning family members, neighbours, and | | | | and I.Q. of predominatelyvegetarian children. J Am |
| teachers. Many excellent resourcesexist that can help | | | | Dietetic Assoc 1980;76:142-147. |
| educate those in your child's life who have concerns, | | | | |