Can I raise my child as a vegetarian? That and other questions about dietary needs

As a nutritionist at the hospital for sick children, Vanita Pais receives a lot of questions from parents about the nutrition of children – especially if they bring up their children to be vegetarian or vegetable. Parents want a balanced and healthy diet, but sometimes need advice if they or their children want to follow a specific diet. Here are some of the most common questions families have about feeding their children.

What do I have to consider if I want to raise my children to be vegetarian?

First, a vegetarian diet is supported by the Canadian Pediatric Society and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, so you can definitely raise a child on a vegetarian diet. You may want to add a little more planning – and plenty of variety – to your diet to make sure it is nutritionally balanced.

The reason diversity is so important is that without a healthy mix of different types of foods, vegetarian diets can be lower in calories and nutrients – both of which children need a lot. As for nutrients, the top ones to look out for are protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamins D and B12, as well as omega-3 fatty acids.

How can I make sure my child is getting enough important nutrients?

The Canada Food Guide is a great place to start. The recently updated guide has made meal planning easier by showing a plate that contains the three main components you need for a balanced diet: fruits and vegetables, sources of protein, and whole grains. When preparing meals, try to include a selection from all three food groups.

When a child’s nutritional needs are not met, there are signs for parents to look out for. A child may be low on energy or lethargic. She might be tired and / or moody. Regardless of the type of diet, your child’s growth and development should be monitored regularly by a doctor.

You can also keep track of what your child is eating. That way if you are concerned, you can share this record of their diet with a doctor.

Are there any concerns about feeding my child a vegan diet?

If your child is exclusively vegan, you should pay particular attention to the B12 intake. Vitamin B12, which is needed to make healthy red blood cells for normal brain and nerve function, comes primarily from animal sources. If your child’s diet includes eggs, milk, or fish, you don’t have to worry too much about low B12. But if your diet doesn’t include animal protein or source – a strictly vegan diet – B12 should be high on your nutritional list.

My 14 year old daughter wants to try a keto diet – is it healthy?

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet. It is specifically prescribed to treat epilepsy and should only be used under close medical supervision.

Any diet that restricts one or more food groups, such as keto, can have adverse effects. Because of its rapid growth and development, the teenage years are a crucial time to get all of the nutrients you need. Side effects of a keto diet can include vitamin and mineral deficiencies, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, nausea, and constipation. Because the diet is low or zero carbohydrate and very low in sugar, there is also a risk that a child will develop low blood sugar levels. Overall, it can affect a child’s growth and overall health.

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I would not recommend a keto diet to a child without a specific medical reason.

Regardless of your child’s diet, you want to encourage healthy eating habits. Food not only fulfills a physiological need; it also fulfills social and psychological needs. We celebrate and meet around food. It brings us together and we eat for pleasure. Bottom line: you want your kids to enjoy their food.

Every two weeks at Healthy Kids questions are asked about health problems in childhood, which are answered by experts from SickKids. Email your questions about nutrition, common diseases, mental health, or growth and development to gesundheitekids.to@gmail.com. We will try to ask as many questions as possible. Always consult your GP if you have specific health concerns. Torstar, the parent company of Star, is in a fundraising and education partnership with SickKids to raise $ 1.5 billion for new facilities.

source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/can-i-raise-my-child-as-a-vegetarian-that-and-other-questions-about-dietary-needs/