Navigating the Vegan Diet for Young Children: Risks and Rewards

This article summarizes research on the potential benefits and risks of a vegan diet, especially for young children. The information comes from a 2020 article published in a nutrition journal.

Potential Benefits

A vegan diet has been associated with some health benefits, especially for adults. Studies have found lower rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers among adult vegans compared to non-vegans. The vegan diet provides plenty of beneficial nutrients like beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, fiber and antioxidants.

However, there is little evidence that starting a vegan diet in early childhood has lasting health benefits. More research is still needed in this area.

Things to Consider

If parents choose a vegan diet for their family, taking some precautions can help ensure children get adequate nutrition:

Work with a nutritionist and pediatrician

Ensure adequate intake of protein, calories, essential fatty acids, iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and other nutrients

Properly supplement with nutrients that may be lacking, especially vitamin B12 and vitamin D

Monitor children's growth and development

Get regular lab tests to catch any nutritional deficiencies

With proper planning, the vegan diet can meet all nutritional needs. But it takes effort, supplements, and oversight to ensure proper health and growth, especially for young vegans.

Conclusion

The vegan diet may offer health advantages for adults. But strong evidence for benefits in children is still lacking. With planning and oversight, the vegan diet can support healthy growth - but it is extra work compared to less restrictive diets. Parents should understand the commitment involved before putting young children on a vegan regimen.

Müller P. Vegan Diet in Young Children. Nestle Nutr Inst Workshop Ser. 2020;93:103-110. doi: 10.1159/000503348. Epub 2020 Jan 28. PMID: 31991425.