Any vegan toddlers? - help

[jasperc163]

We have just done a dairy trial (cheese in pasta sauce) with our 13month old DD but it looks like she has a problem still (rash on lower body). We had hoped to bring her up veggie as we don't eat meat or fish but obviously we hadn't banked on no dairy either (she does have eggs and is fine with them)..

We will maybe try goats cheese or similar to see if same problem but in the short to medium term and advice from people who are eithr vegans or who have the same problem - veggie but can't take dairy would be much appreciated.

She is an extremely fussy eater (we think it stems from reflux problems) and has refused all fruit for last 3 months. She had vegetables in pasta sauces (brocoli, kale, spinach etc) and lentils/pepper/tomato sauces, baked beans etc and we use tofu and that revolting Cheezly, plus added linseed and wheatgerm. She wont eat Alpro yogurts any more either, nor cereal (has toast and marmite at breakfast). She is still on Neocate but it is actually quite low in calcium and protein.

We recently starting adding Floradix in as we are worried about iron absorption because of the lack of fruit. Also added in Dalivit drops this weekend, as she just hasnt been looking as healthy as she used to (not helped by starting nursery!).

Anyway, basically i am just worried whether it is possible to keep her healthy on this diet or whether we are going to be forced to try meat/fish.

just want to do the best for her..

thanks
alice

We have a carnivorous vegan here, DS is allergic to eggs, dairy, nuts, fish, soya, etc. Sometimes I think our life would be so much easier if he could have soya, if your DD can I'm sure you will be fine

(As most milk substitutes are soya based)

dniece was a mostly vegan toddler and one of the healthiest, most robust children I know.

She had lots of lentils, chickpeas, wholegrain cereals - in different breads if she won't eat cereal. it sounds as though your dd does get quite a variety in that diet.

what about oats? in flapjacks with dried fruit, would she eat them?

dried apricots are very good for iron. eaten dried, or in cakes and biscuits, or stewed and pureed. but if she's fussy about fruit she might not go for the last of those in particular.

Hi
My children have been vegan from birth until this year, where we have gone veggie-to the childrens request. Proteins and calcium are really important in veganism. A brilliant book is Pregnancy, Children and the Vegan Diet by Michael Klaper this gives a breakdown of all the nutrients needed, and some recipes for including the daily quota of what's needed in all stages of childhood. It can be done, but requires quite a lot of foward planning to ensure they are getting the right amounts of everything.
Good Luck

thanks everyone. I suppose my concern is not so much that it isnt possible but that because she refuses so many things that would help - cereal, fruit, soya yogurts, anything 'pudding' basically, cereal bars etc etc, it is just not viable?

Fennel - thanks for suggestions. Unfortunately i get the same problem with dried fruit as any other form of fruit, and anything sweet. Unless there are some recipies for fruit in pasta dishes?!!

I am trying to get appt to see the dietician to at least discuss it all - for a start to see if she should be on Neocate or Neocate Advance (which has more calories but for some reason less iron!)

thanks again
alice

I guess you are avoiding peanuts if she's got allergies?

It still doesn't sound too bad if she'll eat green leafy vegetables and lentils and baked beans (they all have iron in as well as other nutrients).

thanks fennel
I suppose i am more worried because she has been so under the weather recently (and v pale - though she is naturally pretty pale anyway)

yes avoiding peanuts - in fact all nuts. Is it all nuts or just peanuts?

All nuts.

DS has not had a yoghurt in years, drinks rice milk, won't eat cereal bars (not that he can either) and hates dried fruits. He survives on a diet of vegetable risotos, pastas and would have less meat if he was not allergic to beans.

He is fine, actually I'm quite proud of how well he is considering...

Mine have both been vegan since conception and beyond and don't have any problems at all. Except for a recently diagnosed mild heart condition in DD (6), they are the healthiest children in their classes! Sounds like your DD is going through a common phase of fussiness, which should pass. Till then, don't make a fuss over it, and try alternatives to the things she might be missing. If she eats veggies, then the temporary lack of fruit won't hinder the iron absorption. However, you could give her a 'shot' of OJ with breakfast if you were worried. Pureeing things might help as it could be a texture thing. Try pureed apple in soups and biscuits/cakes.
A chewy calcium supplement won't do any harm.
Stupid question but does she like shakes or smoothies, which woould hide fruit and soya yoghurt well.
Finally, some seed and nut butters may be taken well on toast with the marmite. Try different beans and lentils, as I never like baked beans when I was little either, but loved chickpeas ect. Good luck x