Meghan wants to feed the Baby Sussex vegan – but this is a dangerous Trend

At the end of April or beginning of may, the Baby of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan to come to the world. In the English tabloid media, the rumor had it that the Royal parents “want Baby Sussex” vegan. However, not only sees the Queen critically.

In the British Royal house, there seems to be a dispute, because Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan want to feed your Baby vegan. The reports in the English media. The Queen was not of this idea, however, is not done, the British “Sun”. And also nutrition experts suggest children to feed exclusively on vegetable-based.

In fact, there are good reasons of animal products to avert about meat scandals, factory farming, or ecological Considerations. But who wants to live vegan and still eat a balanced diet, you must be very careful to take high-quality and different kinds of food. In order to provide the body with all the important nutrients that needs to be planned diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds and nuts.

DGE vegan diet plan for children considers to be unsuitable

Otherwise, it may come in adults, according to the German nutrition society (DGE) “due to the lack of any kind of animal food to supply with energy, Protein, iron, Calcium, Iodine, zinc, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and Vitamin D”. Particularly high is the risk for nutrient deficiencies, however, in infants and children, because they need during the growth many of these nutrients. In addition, you can store the nutrients as well as adults.

The DGE holds, therefore, a vegan diet plan is totally unsuitable for babies and children, balanced diet and healthy.

Risks of a vegan child’s diet

Also Pregnant women should, if they eat vegan to take supplements. Otherwise, the risk that the child could develop neurological disorders (shortage of Vitamin B12, and Iodine), and growth disturbances (e.g., lack of proteins). Also the brain development (lack of long-chain fatty acids) could be negatively affected.

In addition, anemia (iron and Vitamin B12 deficiency) can be the result of a purely vegetable diet, such as the nutrition Commission of the German society for child and youth medicine (DGKJ).

“The risk of nutrient deficiency is greater, the more restrictive the diet is, and the more food groups are excluded from the diet,” says Berthold Koletzko, Chairman of the DGKJ-food and nutrition Commission. “You have to remember is that children always like everything, and, for example, legumes, as a major nutrient supplier to avoid. Then the food is true offer, but the nutrient balance is still out of Balance.“

“Without proper supplementation, vegan diet, over a longer period of time regularly to a deficiency of Vitamin B,” report of the DGKJ-Doctors. And also the Omega-3 fatty acids as well as calcium, or only in small quantities, is found in plant-based foods.

Important vitamins, nutrients and minerals

Vitamin B12, the man mainly on animal products, especially eggs, seafood, and fortified milk, is essential for the physical and mental development of the child. In small quantities it is contained in fermented vegetables such as Sauerkraut or algae, as well as in yogurt.

Vegans, therefore, have problems, to take these essential vitamins to the body for the division of the cells is needed. An Alternative for vegetarians and Vegans is to replace the Vitamin through fortified foods, such as soy beverages, or dietary supplements.

Long-chain fatty acids, such as Omega-3 fatty acidsin salmon and other oily fish but also in walnuts. They are important for the development of the brain, intelligence, sense organs and nervous system of children and young people.

Mainly through fish and milk products of the human of Iodine . Vegans and vegetarians that refrain from in your diet on fish, and could, therefore, have problems with an optimal supply of iodine. You should season with iodized salt to prevent under-supply.

Iron is much in meat, but also in many plant products in large quantities. Vegetarians and Vegans eat often of whole grain and soy products, legumes, oatmeal, tubers or vegetables, such as fennel, black salsify, lentils, or spinach. These contain a lot of iron, and the same often that you will find this mineral missing substance from meat and fish.

Alternative: Ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet

Who wants to be a kid to feed, despite the risks of a vegan, you should note the DGE said that 4 points:

• You should permanently take a Vitamin B12 Supplement and the doctor will check whether your body is sufficiently supplied with Vitamin B12.
• You should make sure that food in your diet which contain all the critical nutrients (see above).
• You can a doctor regularly to check whether you have a nutrient deficiency, for example, in terms of Calcium, zinc, or Iodine, and where appropriate, supplements.
• Let a qualified nutrition experts advise.

The experts of the German society for child and adolescent medicine see more in the Ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet than in a vegan diet as an Alternative to a mixed diet, “because it can allow for a good selection in childhood and adolescence, the nutrient needs and normal growth and age appropriate development.” Ovo-lacto-vegetarians eat everything except the dead animals. Even with this diet it is however, advisable to keep an adequate iron intake.