• Is a vegan diet a good idea for children?
• A balanced diet is the basis

Diet is a more restrictive form of vegetarianism, as it excludes all animal products from the menu. Therefore, veganism is more often the next step after vegetarianism—whether for health, humanitarian, or ideological reasons. For adults, the daily diet must be balanced to provide the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Vegans often take supplements to compensate for any deficiencies. This diet is a choice for them, and they base their eating habits on it. But what about young children? Is a vegan diet appropriate for children? According to research, yes, as long as it is well-structured and full of essential vitamins. In practice, many deficiencies are observed in children on vegetarian and vegan diets, which is a contraindication to its use.

Is a vegan diet a good idea for children?

Childhood is especially important because it is when a child's body and mind are formed. Proper development is influenced not only by mental stimulation, but also by proper nutrition, which provides the body with the minerals and vitamins it needs. Any deficiencies manifest themselves in weakness, lack of energy and concentration, irritability, and a decrease in immunity. It is true that proper nutrition during childhood has a profound impact on the quality of life in later years.

Vegan and vegetarian diets are considered healthy. This is the most correct statement, as long as this type of diet is implemented correctly and sensibly. If so, it certainly has a positive effect on the entire body, mind and quality of life. On the other hand, a vegan diet for children is controversial, as there are legitimate fears that the youngest ones might not be able to consume wholesome and balanced foods. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many cases. Children who follow a vegan and sometimes vegetarian diet suffer from severe deficiencies in calcium , vitamin B12, protein, zinc , iron, saturated omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. This raises the question of whether children tolerate veganism well?

Humans can live without meat and animal products. Valuable vitamins and minerals are found in more than just meat, so in theory, a vegan diet should work for children. The problem, however, is parents' limited knowledge of the topic. They often believe that because the diet works well, it's also suitable for their child. It is possible to properly balance a vegan diet for a child, but few caregivers know how to do it correctly. This is where we should look for the main reason for the failure to implement a vegan diet in children's diets.

A balanced diet is the basis

Children can practice veganism—these are not mutually exclusive concepts, but they must be approached with a sense of purpose. Plants, oils, seeds, and legumes are rich in many minerals and vitamins, so it's a myth that they're only found in meat and dairy products. However, the correct vegan diet for children should be discussed with a doctor and nutritionist , who will conduct an appropriate consultation.

There's a widespread belief in society that vegans only eat salad, which is a complete myth. Unfortunately, parents do feed their children only vegetables. A vegan diet for children can be a cause for concern, provided parents demonstrate great responsibility and diligence in organizing it to ensure the child receives the nutrients necessary for development.