Kiddipedia
As a parent, you want the best for your child. You want to nourish and fuel them with food to grow, thrive, and live their best life. One of the greatest things you can do for your child’s health – both physical and mental, is to raise them on a diet free of animal products. The growing popularity of veganism has made families more open-minded to this lifestyle change and it is now easier than ever to make the switch.
What is a vegan diet?
Individuals that follow a vegan diet eat everything except animal products or food containing animal products (i.e., meat, seafood, dairy products, eggs, or honey).
Is it healthy to raise kids on a vegan diet?
The short answer is yes. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the largest organisation of nutrition professionals in the world, has given a vegan diet the tick of approval, stating that “well-planned vegetarian and vegan eating patterns can be healthful and appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including infants and toddlers.” Children following vegan diets are often more likely to eat diets consistent with recommended dietary guidelines, and this is highly beneficial in reducing their risk of childhood obesity and future chronic disease.
Top tips for raising vegan kids
- Planning
All you need to create vegan meals containing adequate calories, vitamins, nutrients, and fat for proper growth is a bit of extra planning. Pay attention that your child is getting enough protein, iron, vitamin B12, and omega 3, and involve a health professional for dietary advice that is relevant to your child’s stage of life.
- Don’t complicate it
Creating delicious and nutritious vegan meals for your kids doesn’t have to be complicated. Chances are that you’ve probably already been feeding them a lot of vegan food. Start by substituting familiar foods with meat-free alternatives and experimenting with vegan versions of their favourite recipes, such as pizza, pasta, sushi, and smoothies. Use Australia’s first exclusively plant-based platform, VEats, to find easy plant-based substitutes, including mock meats and cheeses.
- Ease into it
Switching to a plant-based diet is far easier than it may seem. Transition at a speed that feels comfortable for your family and don’t pressure yourself to eliminate all foods immediately. A great way to start is by eating meat-free every Monday. Once you’ve found a few reliable recipes that the kids love, you can then add more days until all animal foods are crowded out.
- Talk to your children
Aside from being healthy, a plant-based diet is one of the most effective ways to mitigate climate change. Explain to your kids the benefits of a vegan lifestyle and nurture their compassion to create a more positive world for our environment, the animals we live with, and future generations.
- Show them how delicious vegan food is
Many cafes and restaurants have embraced the increasing popularity of veganism, creating an array of dishes that are just as flavoursome and filling as their meat options. Impress your children by showing them how delicious plant-based food is. To find local, vegan eats near you, start exploring VEats’ directory of 600+ plant-based food options.
About VEats
VEats is the brainchild of two vegan, female leaders with a passion for a more sustainable, nutritious, and ethical way of life. By creating Australia’s first exclusively plant-based food platform, they hope to make plant-based eating easier and more accessible for all.
Our platform provides a one-stop destination where users can explore local food businesses, book a table, and order delivery or pick-up from local eateries that offer plant-based options. VEats launched in January 2022 with more than 600 directory listings across Sydney, including fully vegan businesses as well as those offering three or more vegan options, and has plans for city-by-city expansion across Australia.
Links
Website: https://veats.com.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veatsaustralia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veats_australia/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VEatsAustralia
