Diet experts and nutritionists have conducted research to investigate whether vegan food or plant-based diets are good for children or not.
In the most comprehensive study to date, researchers from Italy, the US and Australia examined health, growth and nutritional outcomes in more than 48,000 children and adolescents around the world who followed different eating patterns, reports Science daily.
The research included data on plant-based diets in children under 18, including 59 studies conducted in 18 countries.
The analysis included 7,280 lacto-ovo vegetarians, 1,289 vegans and 40,059 omnivores to assess differences in nutrient intake, growth and overall health.
The results show that vegetarian and vegan diets can provide many important nutrients and support normal development.
At the same time, the analysis points to a greater risk of nutrient deficiencies when key nutrients are not supplied through fortified foods or supplements.
Nutritionists said that few carefully planned vegetarian and vegan diets for children can support healthy growth when combined with the right supplements.
Compared to other diets, researchers found that children who followed a plant-based diet often had better markers of heart health, including lower “bad” cholesterol, and consumed more fiber and vitamins.
Improved Heart Health:
The peer-reviewed research, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, also indicates that plant-based diets may provide additional health benefits for children.
These include improved signs of cardiovascular health compared to omnivorous diets that include meat, fish and other animal foods.
Vegetarian children were found to consume higher amounts of fiber, iron, folic acid, vitamin C and magnesium than omnivorous children. However, they also had lower intakes of energy, protein, fat, vitamin B12 and zinc.
Although fewer studies focused specifically on vegan children, similar dietary patterns were observed.
Other benefits of vegan diets:
Lead author of the study, Dr. Monica Dinu, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy, said: “Our analysis of current evidence suggests that well-planned and appropriately supplemented vegetarian and vegan diets can meet nutritional needs and support healthy growth in children.”
Fellow co-author Dr. However, Wolfgang Marx, from the Food & Mood Center at Deakin University, Australia, said: “Well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are nutritionally essential and beneficial for adults, there is much less clarity about their suitability for children – leading to inconsistent or even conflicting advice for parents, on the contrary.”
The findings suggest that a balanced approach is essential, with families paying close attention to certain nutrients – especially vitamin B12, calcium, iodine, iron and zinc – to ensure their children get everything they need to thrive.”
