Here’s What A Vegan Diet Really Does To Kids

You won’t have enough protein without meat! You won’t have enough energy without dairy! You won’t have enough nutrients without supplements! If you’re vegan – or thinking of becoming one – you’ve probably heard all these arguments against the diet before. But how many of them are actually true? As more and more adults bring their kids up vegan, it’s a question worth seriously considering. So can veganism be a healthy lifestyle for kids? Or are our children being harmed instead of helped?

Animal-free food

The first thing to think about is why a child may want to become vegan. Are they concerned about the environment? Do they want to eat more fruit and veg? Or do they feel like protecting animals? Because the reasons behind veganism can have an impact on someone’s health. And, after all, there is no one vegan diet.

Vegan 101

There are any number of vegan lifestyles out there. While all veganism essentially involves a plant-based diet, your child could choose to eat mostly whole food. We’re talking veggies, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. But that’s far from the only option – and each could have an effect on a child’s health.

Raw truth

For example, some vegans will bypass raw foods in favor of starchy stuff such as cooked rice or potatoes. Other vegans will do “raw till 4:00 p.m.” And some people will just go with the meat and dairy alternatives you see on supermarket shelves. It’s whatever works for the individual – and their health.

Alternative approach

Your kid could also eat no meat without being a vegan. Some vegetarians will eat eggs and dairy but not meat, poultry, or fish. Others will eat seafood. And flexitarians will eat some animal foods but not consume as much red meat. But a card-carrying vegan will only eat plant-based foods – and that can have serious health consequences.