Page 7 - UK The Official Veganuary Starter Kit

THE OFFICIAL VEGANUARY STARTER KIT

VEGAN KIDS

When we change our own diets, it is normal to think about nutrition in a way
that perhaps we didn’t before and to consider what this means for our family.
The good news is that the British Dietetic Association says that vegan diets can

be suitable for people of any age, including children. There are bad vegan diets,

of course, in the same way that there are bad meat-inclusive diets,
and so it is important to get the nutrients right.

So, what to feed them? The following advice
from the NHS is a great place to start. 2

Growing kids burn a lot of energy and need

a high-calorie intake; too much fibre will
cause small stomachs to feel full before
they’ve actually got enough. Wholegrain
versions of cereals are therefore not usually

recommended. Adding vegetable oils to
meals to increase calorie count, and feeding
your children smaller, more frequent meals
and snacks are some strategies that can help

to deal with this.

Good sources of protein include beans,
chickpeas, lentils and soya products. They’ll
need calcium from fortified plant milks and
breakfast cereals, green veg and tofu to help “It is the position of the Academy of

meet their requirements. Yeast extract and Nutrition and Dietetics that appropriately
some non-dairy milks boost vitamin B12, planned vegetarian, including vegan,
but a supplement should also be taken. diets are healthful, nutritionally
adequate, and may provide health
There are hundreds of thousands of people benefits for the prevention and treatment
around the world who are bringing up vegan of certain diseases. These diets are

children, so why not connect with some on appropriate for all stages of the life cycle,
social media? They will be only too happy to including pregnancy, lactation,
help, advise, and allay any fears you may have. infancy, childhood, adolescence,
older adulthood, and for athletes.”

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