You might have some concerns about whether or not your child can get everything its body needs on a vegan diet. Let us reassure you right away that it can get enough nutrition even while eating solely plant-based foods. Let’s talk about kids nutrition.
The most important thing to keep in mind is to handle your child’s diet with care. A responsible parent does not push the child into something they know very little about or nothing at all.
Going vegan should be a well-thought-out decision, not a random caprice. Moreover, it should also be acknowledged as a significant lifestyle change that will shape your kid’s future.
In this article, you will find helpful advice that will help you make a sound decision on your kids’ diet. After reading it, you will know what to do if your kid wants to go vegan.
Is There a Vegan Alternative to Regular Sweets?
We start our beginner’s guide with what all kids love the most — sweets. Every parent that wants to convince his children to try vegan diets is probably wondering: is there a real vegan alternative to standard chocolate bars and candies?
We have some good news. As it turns out, many products that are sweets are also vegan. They are more than capable of sating your child’s sweet tooth and will make a great addition to your child’s vegan diet.
If you would like to get your child a bar of vegan chocolate, you can head to santabarbarachocolate.com. They have a vast catalog of products that are animal-friendly and provide the best tasting sensations.
What Are the Most Important Ingredients in Every Vegan Diet?
Avoiding items that are made from animal products can be a tricky thing to do. This task is challenging because the vegan options for sources of vital ingredients are limited. However, if you will make sure to get enough of these nutrients, you should be fine:
- Calcium — Non-vegans usually get calcium from various dairy products (e.g., cow’s milk). Switching to a vegan lifestyle will mean leaving these behind and picking up new sources of calcium. For example, these can be various soy-based foods, leafy greens, or plant-based soy milk.
- Iron — Iron-rich foods are an essential part of every diet. Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and iron-fortified foods are all excellent choices.
- Vitamin B12 — For most people, meat (fish meat is not an exception) is the preeminent food that provides them with this vitamin. Alternatives to eating meat are breakfast cereals and unsweetened soya drinks, both fortified with B12. Another good vegan option is a nutritional yeast extract or some B12 supplement.
- Omega-3 fatty acids — Vegan foods that are sources of these acids are walnuts, flaxseed oil, tofu, and chia seeds.
- Vitamin D — The best vitamin D source will always be a healthy dose of exposure to sunlight. However, a healthy vegan diet should also include some vitamin D supplements, fortified fat spreads, breakfast cereals, and unsweetened soya drinks.
- Fiber — Nutrient-dense foods that contain fiber, such as avocados, nuts, and dried fruits, should provide everything you need.
Keep in mind that consuming these ingredients is not only going to provide health benefits for you but will also prevent you from gaining various health problems. Make sure that you and your child are getting enough of these ingredients every day.
What Are the Main Benefits of a Vegan Diet?
Eating fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods is a sign of a healthy plant-based diet. Indeed, dropping dairy and eggs in favor of sweet potatoes, nuts, and seeds can be an excellent decision from a health-oriented perspective.
First of all, vegan diets are known to help people lose weight. Although a vegan diet is not necessarily a low-fat diet per se, it can substantially support weight loss. If you are looking to lose your belly fat, changing your menu is a great way to do it.
Additionally, vegan diets can also decrease heart disease risk and keep blood pressure in the norm. Eating whole plant foods as a substitute for meat can also reduce the risk of poor kidney function.
What is more, many processed foods can be unhealthy or straight up harmful. Vegans tend to avoid them and, therefore, eat healthier.
The Bottom Line
Animal-derived food ingredients are more common than those that are fit for vegans to eat. However, this does not mean that a non-vegan way of living is the right one. In fact, much scientific evidence shows that veganism might actually be the way to go.
Whatever approach you will choose is up to you. Keep in mind, though, that becoming a vegan is a valid option. Today maybe even more than ever before!
With various vegan recipes and plant-based diets you can find online, you are bound to find the right one for yourself or your children. It’s important to consider factors like taste, nutritional composition, and any specific dietary needs when choosing the best plant-based meal replacement for you. Many people have already joined the vegan ranks, and you can do this too. Good luck!
