Is a vegan diet ok for children aged 5+

[wantTobeVegan]

I decided to become Vegan 2 weeks ago, dh agreed with the reasons and joined me. Now we want to transition the dc (youngest is 5).

They already drink soya not cows milk . Is it just B12 we need to supplement with ?

Is there anything else we need to check as I know for babies and toddlers it can be tricky but for 5+ is it quite straightforward?

I would potentially wait until you’ve been on it yourself for a while. See how well you manage and the quality of your nutrition. Start with one or 2 vegan meals a week for the children an see how they respond. What about school meals? Kids at my school would be eating nothing but jacket potatoes every day. How varied is their diet now? Are they currently vegetarian? Could you start with that?

I haven’t bought any meat for the last 2 weeks so they haven’t had that but they’ve been having things with egg honey and dairy in still. School meals luckily are great they have a vegetarian option daily as well as jacket potato and they are able to accommodate a vegan diet I think they modify the veggie meals if necessary

It wouldn't harm them but personally I wouldn't. It's fine that you've chosen to be vegan but your child has not made that choice and they have presumably up to this point eaten meat, dairy, egg, honey, gelatin sweets etc. it's a huge jump from being able to freely eat what they choose to then restrict their diet needlessly.

I would seek advice from a nutritionist before moving young children to a vegan diet. Our bodies have been evolved to require meat and animal products for sustenance and nutrients, and so I think a fair bit of care is needed to provide a vegan diet for children that will meet all of their nutritional needs.

I think if you’re prepared to do all of the research + supplement their diet you can do it, but it’s a crucial development time for them so definitely make sure they’re getting everything they need! Perhaps you could get a nutritionist involved to start out? Then you can get some idea of what you need to include!

Do they want to be vegan / veggie? It might make it easier if they did.

How would they feel giving up decent chocolate?

We’ve actually tried them on some vegan chocolate today and they liked it so I think that will be fine and they only have chocolate once or twice a week at most anyway.

Yes it probably is a good idea I will
try to find a nutritionist / dietician and do more research but I think hopefully we can work it all out

Give them vegetarian food.

Vegan for a child is so restrictive, they’ll miss out. Yes, welfare is important, but so are your children’s wishes.

I’d focus on sourcing ethically farmed eggs and dairy.

And I’d definitely still encourage them to eat vegan foods, but wouldn’t restrict them to full vegan.

You have to prepare them that they won't be able to eat sweets their friends have, they may not be included in party food/cakes/treats at parties or friends' houses.

I do think vegan is possible - IF - you cook without processed food replacement and be very careful about nutrions. Yes, supplements are possible but it's better if you also provide them with vitamins and minerals from fresh food.

Could you compromise by local and organic eggs and dairy maybe?

To offer a perspective that's not solely grounded in nutrition, have you considered the psychological impacts? I was raised vegetarian and found it extremely isolating in terms of playdates, parties and shared experiences with friends. Food isn't just nutrition, it creates a sense of community too. Personally, I don't think children should be put on vegan or vegetarian diets until they're old enough to make an informed choice.

My biggest concern will be emotional- how will they cope with not being to have goody bags/ cake/ sweets at birthday parties and other celebrations??

What has made you decide this and what will you do if your child asks for animal products?

Just why?? You only made a decision two weeks ago to stop eating meat, dairy and eggs. Of course some parents do it and are successful but I know a few adult vegans who are overweight because all they eat is plant based UPF shite and carbs to try and replace the lack of protein in their diet. Unless your 5 year old loves their lentils and various types of beans - I wouldn’t do this. Let them make a decision as an adult.

When I google I can see lots of vegan cake and party treat options I think it should be ok , I’ll just have to be organised but there seems to be a good choice of those sorts of things.

Hmmm I dunno I have a few friends who are qualified nutritionists but all motivated to study nutrition due to their own weird attitudes towards food. They wouldn’t be able to objectively advise on this and it’s not the sort of thing you could access via the nhs.

one nutritionist friend for example advocates a carnivore diet 😭

But he’ll want the birthday party stuff everyone else is having, not your Tupperware box of alternatives

I was very ignorant to the horrors that take place in the meat / dairy etc industries. I just can’t do it anymore now that I know. Much like I wouldn’t support animal harm/exploitation by buying a puppy from a puppy farm I guess.

So you expect other parents to provide these at parties?

They will be fine as for a few years they had dairy intolerance (this is why they all still have soya milk as we never changed back as they liked it) and at that time I always had to take dairy free alternatives and it was fine

No I would

What will you use for their protein and fat needs?

So far I’m thinking things like tofu , seitan, lentils , beans chickpeas? Good fats from olive oil, avocado and nut butters ?

If you're going from meat eater to vegan overnight, I think you should adjust for a few months first, before changing your DCs diet.
Good for you if it lasts, but if not, you've changed their diet for a fad.

I know I will never eat meat or animal products again I just can’t. Can’t even bring myself to look at meat in the shops let alone buy it.