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There is still a lot of misinformation around vegan diets, particularly when it comes to children. There are many outdated views that children need calcium from cow’s milk, and animal protein, to grow properly. Because of this, the decision to raise children on a vegan diet still remains controversial to some.

But in fact, many experts and medical associations agree that a vegan diet can be healthy and suitable for people at all stages of the life cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence. This is a topic near and dear to my heart as I have had two healthy vegan pregnancies, and raise my children vegan. It was great to discuss this with Eric Lindstrom a vegan author and animal rights activist.

 

In this episode we discuss:

 

• If a well planned vegan and vegetarian diet can be appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes

• How our life choices, often starting with diet, impacts not only human health, but the environment, and ultimately saving animal lives

• Helping your children understand where different kinds of food comes from in an age appropriate conversation

• Eric’s experience raising children on both a Standard American Diet and Vegan Diets

• Some major health benefits we have noticed since raising our children vegan

• How to actually start making easy changes if you aspire to make a switch for your family

• Different staple meal ideas for kids to eat a vegan diet, and how to easily sub out the meat and dairy

• Tips for schools and birthday parties, which can feel daunting initially