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| Forums: January 2010 Kickstart Forum Archive: Veganism and babies and children | |||
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| rb
Joined: 12/30/09 Posts: 85 |
Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 2:54 PM I recently am in touch with a woman who is vegan (not on this plan) and her two-year-old is 90% vegan. But I have heard that babies and young children really need dairy to grow properly, and there have been cases of infant death as well as other dangers when parents try to raise their children vegan. Vegetarian is supposed to be healthier, until a certain age. Does that concur with what other people know? I just get concerned about her kid. |
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| shanna
Joined: 12/30/09 Posts: 287 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 3:07 PM Because of severe allergies, I couldn't have dairy as a kid and was raised on soy formula. I'm a woman and 5'11". But, less anecdotally, today's kickstart email (and the "today's message" link above) features the ADA position paper on vegetarian and vegan diets, which finds vegan diets suitable for all stages of life. Plenty of info in the paper or podcast on the ADA site linked. There are dozens of vegan mommy blogs that I know of. Presumably your friend is even more concerned about her child than you are--and if what I've heard from other vegan parents holds true for her, she probably gets a lot of unnecessary flack for it. (Not saying you're doing that! You're in a good position to support her!) |
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| serenevannoy
Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 294 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 3:09 PM rb wrote: Vegetarian is supposed to be healthier, until a certain age. Does that concur with what other people know? No, not at all. Just today, this was addressed in our Kickstart message. Check it out: http://kickstart.pcrm.org/messages/day10.cfm -- click on the link for the position paper. A vegan diet where the mom and the kid are getting plenty of wholesome vegan foods is perfectly healthy. They might need a B12 supplement, and the kid probably needs more fat than the adult does, but there's nothing unhealthy about veganism. You can starve a child on a vegan diet, but you can starve a child on an omnivorous diet, too. Serene Vannoy, Oakland, CA |
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| Susan Levin
Joined: 12/26/09 Posts: 1191 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 3:36 PM Just to reiterate, the American Dietetic Association, the world's largest nutrition organization, states in their position paper that vegan diets are not only appropriate for all ages (including infants and children) but beneficial in the long term. Do read the paper if you get a chance. Susan Levin, MS, RD |
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| mommyof2nc
Joined: 12/31/09 Location: North Carolina Posts: 172 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 5:08 PM I have a friend who was raised vegan. I didn't know her until high school but she and her brother have never eaten any animal products. Now, they're both in their 30s and really healthy - normal height, weight, both run marathons and, in fact, my friend even qualified for the Boston Marathon last year. She's also raising her daughter vegan and she just turned 2 a couple of months ago. So, it can be done. |
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| rb
Joined: 12/30/09 Posts: 85 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 5:24 PM I did a search and was able to find the article I read a couple of years about this that raised the question in my mind now. Here is a link to it. I'm sure this is going to cause a lot of heated responses. Just remember, I didn't write it! I just read it and was wondering about it. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/opinion/21planck.html |
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| shanna
Joined: 12/30/09 Posts: 287 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 5:47 PM Yeah, I remember that piece. That's an opinion piece by an ex-vegan with no pertinent educational or medical credentials who is boosting her own philosophy (and books, etc.). She and her partner also own a cheese shop, according to her own bio. Nothing unusual about any of those things, but personally I would not base any of my own actions regarding nutrition on that kind of unscientific piece by someone with financial interests in what she is promoting. |
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| marigoldmind
Joined: 01/01/10 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 35 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 5:47 PM I find it really laughable that the Op-Ed specifically mentions a lack of vitamin A and D in a vegan diet and never mentions how so many foods in America must be fortified with these very vitamins because the typical American diet is so lacking in these 2 and many others. Regarding DHA, I was breastfed by a mother who has never eaten fish in her life. Aren't there a lot of seafood or fish items that pregnant/lactating women are advised specifically to avoid? I am sure some of the nutritionists/dietitians can refute other points with more knowledge. |
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| Susan Levin
Joined: 12/26/09 Posts: 1191 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 6:11 PM The parents of that child were clearly ignorant about nutrition for children. No one would dispute that I hope. However, Nina Planck is not a dietitian, not a nutritionist, but rather a self-declared reader of nutrition books. In addition, she is a proponent of eating raw meat and raw milk among other questionable recommendations. She's made a career out of promoting this way of eating - with no scientific background whatsoever. The New York Times received quite a bit of letters in response to this opinion piece: Susan Levin, MS, RD |
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| Susan Levin
Joined: 12/26/09 Posts: 1191 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 6:17 PM rb wrote: I'm sure this is going to cause a lot of heated responses. Just remember, I didn't write it! I just read it and was wondering about it. And there is no harm in a healthy discussion! I'd much rather talk about misinformation than leave people confused. When you have research to back up your nutrition recommendations, and no financial interest in promoting them, there is no fear of a debate! Susan Levin, MS, RD |
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| Mariberry
Joined: 01/02/10 Posts: 297 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 9:34 PM These were very interesting threads to read. My daughter is on this Kickstart too (was vegetarian before but is doing very well with the vegan plan), but she, too, is afraid to be too strict with vegan foods for her two-year old. I will refer her to the links provided to ease her mind. Shanna, it's interesting that you didn't like meat as a kid either. I was the same way, but unfortunately, it wasn't an option not to eat it at our house. I never liked milk either. Perhaps children are wiser than we give them credit for in knowing what's good for them. My little granddaughter isn't a meat eater at all - but she does like dairy products. She does get homemade smoothies with greens and fruits (she's not huge on eating veggies either). My daughter "hides" veggies in her food (i.e. pureed cauliflower in Mac 'n cheese or homemade banana/zucchini bread etc.). I would love to see her get off milk. As always, thanks for these helpful threads. I really appreciate all who post their thoughts, feelings and information! All we are saying is "Give Peas a Chance" |
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| jpompilio
Joined: 01/08/10 Posts: 9 |
RE: Veganism and babies and children Posted Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 11:13 PM I love the information. Also please know that the Meat, Dairy, and Sugar industries are heavily advertised to children, and heavily subsidized by our government via legislation like the infamous Farm Bill. The USDA (which runs the National School Lunch Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program), is in bed with these industries, so it is no surprise that people are confused about the health benefits of a vegan diet for children. PCRM has a campaign currently to help promote vegan and vegetarian options in school lunches; see http://www.healthyschoollunches.org for more information. Slow Food USA is also promoting healthier foods for schoolchildren with their Time for Lunch Campaign; see http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/campaign/time_for_lunch/about/ for more info about that. |
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No problems growing, ha ha. Since I refused to eat meat as a child I was practically vegan then--coming full circle!
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