Can a Baby Be Healthy on a Vegetarian or Vegan Diet?

For parents who shun animal products from their diet—whether just meat or all animal products—figuring out how to feed a baby can be challenging. Added to this is the fact that, when you tell people about your choice, many are liable to look at you like you are crazy. But do not let others’ misconceptions stop you. It is quite possible to raise a perfectly healthy child on a vegetarian or vegan diet. You have to be a little extra conscientious in some ways, but your child can get all the vitamins and nutrients he or she needs. So if you are seriously considering raising your child as vegetarian or vegan, tune out the naysayers and trust your own instincts. And if you decide to go forward, keep these tips in mind. Breastfeed as long as possible: As long as you continue to breastfeed your baby, the issue is moot. While continuing to breastfeed exclusively or almost exclusively, you ensure your child gets all the nutrients she needs. In fact, childcare experts say that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is healthiest, and that predominantly breastfeeding over the following six months is also quite healthy, as long as the mother gets all her nutrients. Do not get hung up on meat: Meat, especially the good kinds, arguably has many health benefits for adults and older children. But everything we get from meat can be obtained from other sources if the diet is planned properly. And in any case, young children can get all the protein and calcium they need from dairy products. And if all animal products are out of the picture, protein and calcium can be obtained through fortified foods or careful meal planning incorporating specific vegetables and grains. Consider supplements: Talk to your doctor about whether it would be helpful for your baby to take a supplement in addition to formula or breast milk. Vitamin D, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 are essential elements that can be difficult for vegans to get enough of. Focus on vegetable proteins: All the protein people get from meat can be found in vegetable sources. Soy, in particular, is a great source of protein, and it is versatile enough to be used in a wide variety of food products. Foods such as tofu and edamame can be worked into a young child’s diet in creative and tasty ways. Watch your baby’s weight: Young children grow more or less continuously, so keep an eye on your child’s growth, make sure she continues to get bigger, and watch that she does not become skinny. If you become worried that she is not getting enough calories, boost her calorie intake with more breast milk and, if she is old enough, calorie-rich foods. Careful after weaning: Your child gets a good dose of calcium from breast milk. Calcium is essential to the growth of healthy bones, so make sure he or she continues to get enough after weaning. Use calcium-fortified juices and foods, and introduce calcium-rich dark green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach. Your child may not love these foods at first, but the earlier you start, the more likely he will be to accept them into his diet in the long run. Get healthy fats: People who consume animal products get much of their good fats from foods such as fish and eggs, but there are plenty of good vegetarian and vegan sources, especially vegetable oils. If you do not think this is enough, talk to your doctor about potentially giving your baby supplements. By Jamell Williams