John Myers
Opinions are divided as to whether a vegan diet is possible for children. While the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) clearly says that veganism is not recommended for children, health authorities in other countries come to different conclusions. The American Society for Nutrition wants to have found out in various studies that a vegan diet is just as possible in children as in any other phase of life. But only if it is well planned.
The German Society for Nutrition, on the other hand, considers a vegan diet to be unsuitable throughout childhood. She justifies this by saying that the limited choice of food in veganism increases the risk of nutrient deficiency. In children in particular, a vitamin B12 deficiency could quickly develop. Vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products. In many cases, a vegan diet therefore requires the intake of food supplements or the regular consumption of foods enriched with vitamin B12. However, while the vitamin B12 stores in adults can last for many years even if the vitamin is not supplied through food, a deficiency in the vital vitamin in children can lead to serious health damage within a very short time. It can lead to neurological problems or anemia.
According to the DGE, a vegan diet in children can also lead to other deficiency symptoms. For example, an adequate supply of iron or zinc cannot always be guaranteed. Although the trace elements are also contained in plant-based foods, they are not as digestible for the body as from animal sources. According to the DGE, it is also difficult to get enough calcium, iodine, vitamin B2, vitamin D, proteins and omega-3 fatty acids. In order to counteract deficiencies, after consultation with a doctor, it may also be necessary to add food supplements or correspondingly fortified foods.
A vegan diet could lead to further problems in children because they need a lot of energy during growth. How much is difficult to estimate, even for non-vegan children. For children who are vegan, it is even more complicated to provide them with enough energy and nutrients.
The American Society for Nutrition (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, short: AND), the world’s largest nutritional organization, appreciates the purely plant-based diet primarily as health-promoting. Due to the lower intake of saturated fatty acids, vegans and vegetarians are less likely to be overweight than omnivores. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are also less common among vegans than meat eaters. According to AND, both vegetarian and vegan diets are suitable for preventing these diseases and supporting their treatment. The AND classifies a well-planned vegan diet as suitable for people of all ages, including children and adolescents.
However, both proponents and critics of vegan child nutrition agree on one point: in order to prevent the child from being harmed, special knowledge of the selection and preparation of foods is necessary. In addition to fruit and vegetables, there should also be a lot of cereals, nuts, and seeds on the menu. Targeted support with supplements is also essential, for example, to ensure a sufficient supply of vitamin B12. A vegan diet for children should also only be done in conjunction with extensive nutritional knowledge and in consultation with a pediatrician. In addition, the child’s blood values should be checked at regular intervals in order to be able to detect and treat any deficiencies immediately.
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