Tips on nutrients for vegan children?

[I_love_animals]

Hi All

I am new to this forum. I have a little boy who is 2 next week and he eats about 90% veggie but I would like him to be vegan too but I just dont know where to start and have this paranoia about him missing out on valuable nutrients etc and I dont want to neglect to give him certain things and make him deficient in stuff.

Is it hard to do? ANy tips? I would attach a pic of my little one but I dont know how to!

Many thanks.

[harpy]

Hello - have you looked at the Vegan Society website? They have some advice there e.g. http://www.vegansociety.com/people/l...egan_children/ and they also sell books e.g. http://www.vegansociety.com/shop/pro...roducts_id=242

As a non-parent I don't know which books or sites are most helpful but I am sure you will hear from somebody who does!

[bryzee86]

yeah, definitely try the vegan society - they'll have something for you.

[xrodolfox]

+1 on the vegansociety.

That said, I have two kids, 2yo and 4yo and both have been vegan since before conception. They're health is consistently monitored by our pediatricians, and they both are thriving, in spite eating the junk that most kids just love to eat (sugary foods, juices, etc.). If you make sure to get enough veriety, and just make sure that they get enough calories and a few critical nutrients (fats, calcium, b12) the rest is taken care of the kid him/herself.

[karenann33]

I picked up a book at the library called How To Raise A Vegan Child In A NonVegan World and they addressed this issue and had kid friendly recipes. Reading it gave me confort knowing I was already doing the right thing with my kids diet.

[Ruby Rose]

Becoming Vegan has chapters on ensuring your vegan children are properly nourished - I skipped through them, not having children myself, but found the information in the rest of the book really helpful and comprehensive.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Becoming-Veg...4584726&sr=8-1

[ellaminnowpea]

I dont have kids but I'd keep note of his calcium (vit D as well), iron, and B12. I'm not sure what they say about vegan B12 for kids but I've found that I need to take a B12 supplement lately. I think the rest of the above advice is great and there shouldn't be much concern for them other than that.

[veganf]

I've got 4 vegan kids. I just feed them a healthy diets, lots of whole grains and veggies. I give them a chewable multivit and calcium just for extra assurance, and make sure their diet has ample omega-3 fatty acids. You can see a lot of what I feed them here: http://disposableaardvarksinc.blogspot.com/

[Huddy]

veganf-you do the most amazing lunches! So creative!

[harpy]

Yes, your husband and son must have an exciting time opening their lunches, veganf!

[veganf]

I wish I had time to make myself some more exciting lunches more often! And I can't wait to be able to make girlier Hello Kitty lunches and the like.

[Cherry]

You have very lucky (and beautiful) children VeganF I bet their friends are jealous!

[veganf]

Aw, thanks. I love doing it, but sometimes my oldest does make requests (like this morning he wanted white swirls of "wind" for a snowy day) that I just can't fulfill.