Kids Nutrition-Diet Choices

sz8soon
sz8soon Posts: 816 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I read a profile on here that said she and her one year old were vegan and her husband was not. While I can't imagine what eating in that household must be like It got me thinking..

I only post here because I am not knowledgable about the vegan lifestyle and I'm curious what others have to say. I found it strange and slightly alarming that a one year old (or young children) be placed on such a restrictive diet. Seems like it would be difficult to get the needed nutrition for healthy growing and in this particular household- what is it going to be like for that toddler watching daddy eat something but being told no they couldn't have it. But like I said- I know zip, zero, nada about veganism so it's only based on my own opinion.

My family and I all eat and enjoy meat, cheeses, dairys etc. So if you do know how a young child would get the needed nutrients, please share, because I'm curious to hear about it. I'm trying to enlighten myself so don't flame me please!

Replies

  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    I know when my son was that age he was still nursing, and had dairy allergies so no milk products for either of us. I hope she's still nursing or doing formula because those are important up to age 3. As far as the rest of it, as long as she's eating thoughtfully and totally informed then I don't see an issue. My son and I are gluten free and my husband is not. Yes, we'd all like that big squishy roll with our burger, but M is the only one that it won't make sick. As long as the child is at some point offered the freedom of choice, and the mother is an informed consumer, I don't see an issue.
  • sz8soon
    sz8soon Posts: 816 Member
    ^^ Thanks girl for responding.

    Guess there isn't much input on this topic
  • curvyvegan
    curvyvegan Posts: 80 Member
    My husband and I went vegetarian before we had kids, so our three kids have never had meat. I am vegan and that is the way we eat in our home, you won't find any meat, dairy products, or eggs here. The kids will eat some non-vegan foods (still vegetarian) while out, but that is pretty rare and definitely not something that I would count on as part of their overall nutrition.

    According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), a vegan diet is safe for all stages of the life cycle, including infancy, toddlerhood, childhood, adolescence, pregnancy, lactation, etc. The nutrients that are abundant in a vegan diet are different from the ones that are abundant in a diet that includes meat, so it is certainly important for anyone going vegan, and particular any parent raising little vegans, to study up a bit on nutrition. But once you know how to plan balanced vegan meals, it really is easy. And there are a lot of healthful advantages to it.

    My youngest, who will be turning 3 in a couple of months, goes crazy for kale. I make a raw kale salad (finely shredded) with a creamy dressing made from blended raw almonds, and he will eat piles of that. Kale is super high in calcium and protein, and almonds are also a great source of calcium, so his body seems to naturally seek out this high-nutrient dish.

    I don't think of a vegan diet as "highly restrictive" at all...I feel like we have an abundance of foods to choose from, and I love to cook and all three of my kids are healthy and thriving.
  • sz8soon
    sz8soon Posts: 816 Member
    My husband and I went vegetarian before we had kids, so our three kids have never had meat. I am vegan and that is the way we eat in our home, you won't find any meat, dairy products, or eggs here. The kids will eat some non-vegan foods (still vegetarian) while out, but that is pretty rare and definitely not something that I would count on as part of their overall nutrition.

    According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), a vegan diet is safe for all stages of the life cycle, including infancy, toddlerhood, childhood, adolescence, pregnancy, lactation, etc. The nutrients that are abundant in a vegan diet are different from the ones that are abundant in a diet that includes meat, so it is certainly important for anyone going vegan, and particular any parent raising little vegans, to study up a bit on nutrition. But once you know how to plan balanced vegan meals, it really is easy. And there are a lot of healthful advantages to it.

    My youngest, who will be turning 3 in a couple of months, goes crazy for kale. I make a raw kale salad (finely shredded) with a creamy dressing made from blended raw almonds, and he will eat piles of that. Kale is super high in calcium and protein, and almonds are also a great source of calcium, so his body seems to naturally seek out this high-nutrient dish.

    I don't think of a vegan diet as "highly restrictive" at all...I feel like we have an abundance of foods to choose from, and I love to cook and all three of my kids are healthy and thriving.

    Thank you for sharing!
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