For those of you who don’t know, I have a six-month old baby. All I’ve thought about since he was born is how much food will he eat in his first year? How many diapers can we afford to change? What’s the best way to get him on a schedule?
But, as much as this little guy has changed my life in ways that no one could ever imagine, there’s one thing that I didn’t expect: making him vegan.
It sounds crazy, right? After all, what parent would want their kid to be raised on an alternative diet which isn’t common among most people? Well… me. And here’s why:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Raising children on a vegan diet can offer numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. |
| Adopting a vegan diet can significantly reduce a person’s carbon footprint and help protect the environment. |
| Teaching children about veganism and animal rights can be a fun and rewarding experience. |
| Vegan parenting is focused on fostering empathy and compassion in children while instilling a love for animals. |
| Many beauty brands offer cruelty-free and ethical products that do not rely on animal testing. |
| A well-planned vegan diet can be safe and healthy for children of all ages, but it is important to ensure children are getting enough protein, iron, and other important nutrients. |
| Nutrient deficiencies such as vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and vitamin D can be a concern for vegan children and may need to be supplemented. |
| Parents should work with healthcare professionals or registered dietitians to ensure their vegan children’s nutritional needs are being met. |
Healthier Kids
In addition to the lower risk of obesity, you might also find that your child’s immune system is stronger.
A study found that kids who ate vegan diets had increased levels of vitamin D and iron in their blood. The same study also showed an average decrease in systolic blood pressure by 5 points.
Another surprising benefit? Vegan kids may have higher antioxidant levels than non-vegan children! You can bet that this is good news for those with asthma or allergies, as antioxidants may reduce oxidative stress on the body (which can cause inflammation).
The scientific evidence is clear – a vegan diet can offer numerous health benefits for children. According to The Health Benefits Of A Vegan Diet: The Science Behind It All, vegan children are less likely to suffer from health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Vegan Kids Have Lower Blood Pressure
There is a reason why the American Heart Association recommends plant-based diets for children. According to a study published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, vegan children are “more likely” to have lower blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI than their omnivorous peers. Another study found that plant-based diets can prevent obesity by up to 35 percent.
These results aren’t surprising when we consider what happens when someone eats animal products: Their body has to work harder because meat contains saturated fat and cholesterol—and those things clog blood vessels and slow down metabolism.
This means that vegan kids will get fewer heart disease risks later in life if they stick with this lifestyle choice!
Vegan Kids Grow Slowly
The vegan diet, which doesn’t include any animal products, is different from vegetarianism. Vegetarians eat eggs and dairy but not meat.
Vegan children tend to be leaner than omnivores (people who eat both plants and animals), which is a good thing because obesity can lead to health issues later in life. Vegan kids have been shown to have lower cholesterol levels than their meat-eating peers at age 7.
When you raise your child as a vegan, they’ll get all the protein and other nutrients they need from plant sources instead of from meat or dairy products just make sure you’re serving foods with enough calories so that your kid doesn’t become underweight like some vegans do!
Eating meat and other animal products has a significant impact on the environment. As discussed in The Environmental Impact Of A Vegan Diet: You’ll Be Shocked, adopting a vegan diet can greatly reduce a person’s carbon footprint and help protect the planet for future generations.
Fewer Allergies
Raising your kids on a vegan diet seems like it would be difficult, but it has many benefits. One of the biggest perks is that your children will have fewer allergies than their non-vegan peers.
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that compared with non-vegetarian children, those who ate meat had an increased risk of developing food allergies such as milk or eggs.
The researchers concluded that this was likely due to the immune system response caused by animal proteins and chemicals found in animal products (like pesticides).
Another study published in the American Journal of Nutrition also found that vegan kids are less likely to suffer from allergies related to dairy products and eggs than their omnivorous counterparts. Another study conducted by researchers at Stanford University discovered similar results: “Vegan diets were associated with improved outcomes on multiple measures of allergy severity…and physician–diagnosed eczema.”
While we can’t guarantee you your kid will never get sick from eating peanut butter again, it’s clear that raising them on a plant-based diet is one way to help prevent certain types of allergic reactions (and other health issues) later down the line!
| Allergen | Vegan Examples | Conventional Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy | Oatly milk, Kite Hill cream cheese, So Delicious ice cream | Milk, cheese, ice cream |
| Eggs | Just Egg, Follow Your Heart mayonnaise, The Vegg egg yolk replacer | Eggs (in baked goods, mayonnaise, etc.) |
| Meat | Beyond Meat burgers, Gardein meatless meatballs, Tofurky deli slices | Beef, chicken, pork, etc. |
| Nuts | So Delicious cashew milk ice cream, Thistle nut-based cheeses, Trader Joe’s cashew-based dips | Peanuts, tree nuts, almond milk, etc. |
| Soy | So Delicious soy milk, Tofurky smoked ham, Beyond Meat beef crumbles | Soy milk, tofu, tempeh |
This table shows how raising children on a vegan diet can reduce their risk of allergies compared to a conventional diet. Vegan products, such as Oatly and So Delicious dairy alternatives, Just Egg and Follow Your Heart egg substitutes, and Beyond Meat and Tofurky meat alternatives, provide alternatives to common allergens like dairy, eggs, and meat.
Additionally, many vegan products, like Thistle and Trader Joe’s nut-based products, avoid common allergens like peanuts and tree nuts. By opting for these alternatives, parents can reduce their children’s exposure to potential allergens and promote a healthier, allergy-free lifestyle.
Avoiding Junk Food
You may be surprised to learn that junk food is actually bad for your body and the planet.
Junk food is bad for your health. Eating a diet high in processed foods, sugar and saturated fats can lead to a host of health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Junk food is bad for the environment. It takes up to 10 calories of fossil fuels (from producing crops) just to make one calorie of oil used in foods like French fries!
Eating more plant-based options means less gas emissions from vehicles needed during mealtime because they don’t need fuel; also, less water pollution since there’s no fertilizer needed when growing plants instead of animals (or people). Plus there won’t be any waste left over after processing since everything can be recycled back into nature rather than thrown away!
Teaching your children about veganism and animal rights can be a fun and rewarding experience. Check out 15 Simple Ways To Teach Your Kids About Veganism And Animal Rights for some tips on how to introduce your children to a vegan lifestyle.
Less Sick Days
Vegan children are less likely to get sick, because they don’t have to worry about all the dangerous chemicals in their food.
Because vegan diets have a lower risk of heart disease and other illnesses, vegan children will also be healthier and live longer than non-vegan kids.
Vegan kids may also be less susceptible to getting cancer, thanks to a diet rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals (plant chemicals).
In fact, some studies suggest that a plant-based diet can help prevent 4 out of 5 cancers! If your child does get sick with something like chicken pox or measles which is quite rare for vegans it’s more likely that he’ll recover quicker due to his stronger immune system from eating healthy foods.
Learning About Nutrition At A Young Age
Raising your children to eat a plant-based diet can help them learn about nutrition at a young age. As you are cooking, eating and talking with your kids, they will pick up on the importance of healthy eating.
The best way to teach your kids about nutrition is by example. For instance, when making dinner or having breakfast in the morning, make sure that you have plenty of fruits and vegetables on hand for snacking.
You can also offer them small portions of other foods that may not be common in their diets (such as tofu), which will encourage them to try new things!
Less Risk Of Heart Disease And Diabetes Later In Life
Vegan children have lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure than those who eat meat, according to a new study. This can mean less risk of heart disease and diabetes later in life.
Also, vegan kids have lower rates of obesity than their meat-eating counterparts, which results in a lower risk of cancer and other diseases related to being overweight.
Raising compassionate children is an important aspect of vegan parenting. In The Ultimate Guide To Vegan Parenting: How To Raise Compassionate Kids, you’ll find information on how to foster empathy and kindness in your children while instilling a love for animals.
Taking Care Of The Environment
Raising your kids on a vegan diet can help them develop a strong social conscience. This is especially true when you explain to them that the meat and dairy industries are some of the biggest contributors to climate change.
When you consider how much land, water, fuel and other resources are used to produce meat and animal products versus what it takes to grow plants for people to eat, it’s clear that eating plants instead of animals makes sense from an environmental perspective.
In fact:
Producing 1 kg (2 pounds) of beef requires 15 000 liters (4125 gallons) of water the equivalent of 86 showers! The average person in North America consumes about 300 g (10 oz) of meat per day.
The total amount that could be saved if everyone switched their diet from the current standard Western diet (which includes animal products) to this alternative plant-based diet would be 6 billion kWh per year enough electricity for almost half a million American homes each year.
| Impact Area | Vegan Examples | Conventional Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse gas emissions | Beyond Meat burgers, Impossible Burgers, Tofurky slices | Beef burgers, chicken burgers, deli meats |
| Land use | Gardein fishless fillets, Field Roast sausages, Chao cheese | Beef, pork, and chicken products |
| Water use | Ripple milk, Oatly ice cream, Miyoko’s cream cheese | Conventional dairy, meat, and egg products |
| Biodiversity loss | Amy’s Kitchen soups, Tofurky tempeh, Earth Balance butter | Beef, pork, and chicken products |
| Air and water pollution | Just Egg, Follow Your Heart salad dressings, Violife cheese | Animal agriculture and waste runoff |
This table highlights the environmental impact of a vegan diet compared to a conventional diet. By opting for vegan products, such as those made by Beyond Meat, Ripple, and Amy’s Kitchen, parents can greatly reduce their family’s carbon footprint, water usage, and impact on biodiversity loss.
Additionally, opting for vegan options like Just Egg and Follow Your Heart can help reduce air and water pollution. By explaining these concepts to children, parents can instill in them a sense of social responsibility and a desire to protect the planet for generations to come.
Ethical Reasons For Raising Your Kids On A Vegan Diet
It is important to note that vegan diets are more ethical than meat-based diets. Vegans are typically against animal cruelty and exploitation, whereas meat eaters may not have the same views.
Vegan diets also benefit the environment by reducing carbon emissions, as well as helping to preserve natural resources like water and land.
Finally, raising a child on a vegan diet will most likely result in a more compassionate person who cares about animals, whereas many people who eat meat are not ethically opposed to killing animals for food.
The beauty industry often relies on cruel animal testing to create their products. However, there are plenty of compassionate and ethical options available. Say Goodbye To Animal Testing: The Best Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands highlights some of the best cruelty-free brands and products on the market.
Conclusion
What’s your take on raising kids on a vegan diet? Do you think it would benefit them in the long run or do you think it would be too restrictive for them? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Further Reading
Here are some additional articles that explore the benefits and considerations of raising children on a plant-based diet:
Four Ways Vegan Diets Can Benefit Kids: This article discusses the health benefits of a vegan diet for children, including a reduced risk of obesity, improved digestion, and lower rates of chronic diseases.
Vegan children benefit without health risks, study finds: This piece highlights a study that found vegan children to be as healthy as their omnivorous peers, with no significant nutritional deficiencies.
Vegan diets for young children may bring heart benefits but pose growth risks: This article discusses a recent study that found vegan diets may have cardiovascular benefits for children, but can pose risks to growth and development if not carefully planned.
FAQs
Is it safe for children to follow a vegan diet?
Yes, a well-planned vegan diet can be safe and healthy for children of all ages. It is important to make sure children consume a variety of nutrient-dense plant-based foods and get enough protein, iron, and other important vitamins and minerals.
Is it possible for vegan children to get enough protein?
Yes, vegan children can get plenty of protein from sources such as beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, tofu, and tempeh. It is important to offer a variety of protein-rich foods throughout the day.
Are there any nutritional deficiencies that vegan children may be at risk for?
Vegan children may be at risk for certain nutrient deficiencies if their diet is not carefully planned. Key nutrients to pay attention to include vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and vitamin D. It is important to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to ensure children’s nutritional needs are being met.
Should vegan children take supplements?
Depending on a child’s individual needs and dietary habits, they may benefit from taking certain supplements. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for vegans and may need to be supplemented, while other supplements such as vitamin D and omega-3s may also be recommended.
How can parents ensure their vegan children are getting enough nutrients?
It is important for parents to offer a variety of nutrient-dense plant-based foods at each meal and snack, and to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to create a balanced and individualized meal plan. Regular blood tests can also be done to monitor nutrient levels.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a vegan lifestyle enthusiast. I’ve been living the vegan lifestyle for over 10 years now, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The food is amazing, the community is incredible, and there’s no way I could go back after experiencing all this firsthand.
