Children
3.4 - Can I Feed My Children a WFPB Diet?
If you are a parent or caregiver, you have likely already noticed how much conflicting information there is about what a healthy diet looks like for children. Fortunately, science is coming to the rescue. We now know that a well-planned WFPB diet is not only healthy but also optimal for children. Dr. Rema Shah, a well-known pediatrician, cookbook author, and speaker on the subject, offers great advice on feeding children of all ages. Her comments were originally part of a presentation she did for CNS’s Plant Forward Series in 2021. Here are a few of the key points from her presentation:
Are plant-based diets safe for children?
Plant-based diets are completely safe and suitable for children. This was affirmed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in their 2016 position statement, which stated that well-planned plant-based diets provide ample nutrition for children throughout all stages of growth.
How do you begin transitioning your family to a WFPB diet?
People are often enthusiastic when they discover a WFPB diet. They want everyone to join them on this new, exciting journey. However, it's important to recognize that individuals may respond to that enthusiasm in unexpected ways. Family members, particularly older children or a partner, may not see the need to change their diets and may become defensive. A great approach is to start by preparing and sharing delicious plant-based meals at home. As these meals become a regular part of family life, your loved ones may naturally embrace this way of eating. Be flexible. If your partner or children prefer different foods outside the home, practicing patience and compassion while continuing to make plant-based meals at home is the most effective way to introduce and sustain dietary changes.
Are there specific nutritional considerations for children eating a plant-based diet?
When considering a plant-based diet for children, protein is a common concern. But as you already learned in Lesson 3.1, protein needs can easily be met provided you and your children enjoy whole plant foods and consume adequate calories. As discussed in Lesson 3.3, one essential nutrient that must be supplemented in plant-based diets is B12, as it is not naturally high in plant foods. Although some foods are fortified with B12, relying on fortified foods is not as simple or easy as supplementing, due to the variability of fortified foods in children's diets.
If you are a parent or caregiver, you have likely already noticed how much conflicting information there is about what a healthy diet looks like for children. Fortunately, science is coming to the rescue. We now know that a well-planned WFPB diet is not only healthy but also optimal for children. Dr. Rema Shah, a well-known pediatrician, cookbook author, and speaker on the subject, offers great advice on feeding children of all ages. Her comments were originally part of a presentation she did for CNS’s Plant Forward Series in 2021. Here are a few of the key points from her presentation:
Are plant-based diets safe for children?
Plant-based diets are completely safe and suitable for children. This was affirmed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in their 2016 position statement, which stated that well-planned plant-based diets provide ample nutrition for children throughout all stages of growth.
How do you begin transitioning your family to a WFPB diet?
People are often enthusiastic when they discover a WFPB diet. They want everyone to join them on this new, exciting journey. However, it's important to recognize that individuals may respond to that enthusiasm in unexpected ways. Family members, particularly older children or a partner, may not see the need to change their diets and may become defensive. A great approach is to start by preparing and sharing delicious plant-based meals at home. As these meals become a regular part of family life, your loved ones may naturally embrace this way of eating. Be flexible. If your partner or children prefer different foods outside the home, practicing patience and compassion while continuing to make plant-based meals at home is the most effective way to introduce and sustain dietary changes.
Are there specific nutritional considerations for children eating a plant-based diet?
When considering a plant-based diet for children, protein is a common concern. But as you already learned in Lesson 3.1, protein needs can easily be met provided you and your children enjoy whole plant foods and consume adequate calories. As discussed in Lesson 3.3, one essential nutrient that must be supplemented in plant-based diets is B12, as it is not naturally high in plant foods. Although some foods are fortified with B12, relying on fortified foods is not as simple or easy as supplementing, due to the variability of fortified foods in children's diets.