To provide the best advice on ensuring your child gets enough nutrients on a vegan diet, we’ve gathered six top tips from industry leaders, including a co-owner and an MD. From the importance of incorporating healthy fats to the necessity of investing in quality supplements, these experts share their top tips for raising a healthy vegan child.
- Incorporate Healthy Fats
- Use Fortified Foods
- Ensure Dietary Variety
- Diversify Protein Sources
- Consult a Dietician
- Invest in Quality Supplements
Incorporate Healthy Fats
One piece of advice we stumbled upon was incorporating healthy fats. We started including avocados, chia seeds, and a splash of flaxseed oil in their meals. I remember a distinct turning point: preparing a creamy avocado-spinach smoothie one afternoon. My kids, usually a bit wary of anything green, took a sip and their faces lit up! That’s when I knew we’d struck a balance—delicious taste and vital nutrients rolled into one. The omega-3s and other good fats found in these foods have been essential in supporting their brain development and overall well-being. It’s become a staple in our household, making the vegan journey more sustainable and nutritionally sound.
Lucas Riphagen, Co-Owner, TriActiveUSA
Use Fortified Foods
To make sure your child gets enough nutrients, add fortified food to their diet. You can discover different enriched options like plant-based milks, cereals, and nutritional yeast. These foods contain added nutrients such as B12, calcium, and vitamin D, filling potential nutritional gaps in a vegan diet. This is the most effective way to ensure your child gets essential nutrients while following a vegan lifestyle.
Steven Wright, Co-Founder and Chief Editor, Lifestyle to the MAX
Ensure Dietary Variety
Ensure variety in your child’s plant-based diet: When raising children on a vegan diet, it is particularly important to ensure that they get the full range of essential nutrients and vitamins.
A varied and balanced plant-based diet containing plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds will help provide your child with all the essential nutrients they need as they grow. Aim to include a wide variety of colors, textures, and flavors in your meals to make sure that your child is receiving all the important vitamins and minerals their body needs for physical growth and development.
As always, it is also important to ensure that your child stays hydrated throughout the day by providing them with plenty of water.
Evan Tunis, President, Florida Healthcare Insurance
Diversify Protein Sources
When I first decided to raise my child on a vegan diet, there were a whirlwind of questions and concerns, especially about ensuring adequate nutrient intake.
One challenge was protein. I knew that simply relying on tofu or lentils wouldn’t suffice; kids need a broad array of nutrients. So, I got creative. Alongside our nutritionist, we crafted a weekly menu that mixed various protein sources like chickpeas, almonds, and quinoa.
One instant hit was a chickpea stir-fry with colorful bell peppers and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor. It wasn’t just a feast for the eyes but also a nutrient powerhouse. This personal experiment was a heartening reminder that a vegan diet can indeed be nutritionally rich, varied, and even a hit with the kids.
Ryan Steinolfson, Founder, Accelerate Marketing
Consult a Dietician
When my spouse and I decided to raise our child on a vegan diet, questions about adequate nutrition loomed large. I mean, it’s one thing for adults to make dietary choices, but ensuring a balanced nutrient intake for a growing child? That’s a whole other responsibility.
We immediately consulted a dietician, and it was a game-changer. Armed with a tailored meal plan, we started incorporating fortified plant milk and foods rich in Omega-3s, like flaxseeds, into our child’s diet. We also routinely check vitamin B12 levels and supplement as advised. The dietician’s expertise didn’t just set us on the right path; it gave us the peace of mind we so deeply needed.
Daniel Pfeffer, CEO, Scrape Network
Invest in Quality Supplements
Raising a child on a vegan diet presents unique challenges, chiefly ensuring they receive all the essential nutrients required for healthy development. While a well-planned vegan diet can be rich in many nutrients, some may require special attention. This is where high-quality supplements come into play.
We’ve found that not all supplements are created equal. Many available in supermarkets contain fillers and are less effective than one might hope. After meticulous research, we’ve come to trust the Solgar brand for our family. Although Solgar products come at a premium price, the quality justifies the expense. They offer a range of nutrients often less accessible in a vegan diet, such as Vitamin B12, Omega-3, and iron, without the unnecessary additives.
Investing in top-grade supplements like Solgar ensures our child gets the nutritional balance necessary for a thriving, healthy life.
Shane McEvoy, MD, LeadFly
