Articles Reflecting a Vegan Lifestyle From All-Creatures.org

Raising a child on a vegan diet: Older children
From EthicalGlobe.com
October 2023

Are there particular nutritional issues you need to be aware of for children aged six and upwards? Do these needs change in adolescence? Are there other issues that can affect raising a child on a vegan diet?

[Also read Raising a child on a vegan diet: Birth to age five]

In part one of our Raising a child on a vegan diet: Birth to age five blog mini-series, we explored why a growing number of us are choosing plant-based diets for our families. We also highlighted the key nutritional considerations and looked at issues relating to raising vegan babies and younger children.

In part two, we’re focusing on school-aged children and teens.

Is a vegan diet safe for older children and teens?

It’s a point we made in our last blog, but it’s worth reiterating that the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has issued the following statement:

“It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. These diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, older adulthood, and for athletes.”

This position is echoed by other organisations, such as the British Dietetic Association.

It does come with a caveat. A vegan diet must be carefully researched and planned in order to be “nutritionally adequate”.

While all humans need nutritionally adequate diets, children’s brains and bodies are constantly growing and developing, so it’s essential that their diet is able to fuel this.

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Please read the ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE.

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