Vegetarian Diets in Children and Adolescents

Introduction

Vegetarianism is becoming more common among adults, with 1 in 40 adults currently choosing a vegetarian diet. Consequently, more children are raised as vegetarians. Vegetarianism is adopted for various reasons, including moral, religious, and health. Numerous studies have shown significant health benefits for individuals following this type of diet. Pediatricians should be well informed about vegetarianism and its role in our pediatric population.

Case 1

A first-time mother and her 2-month-old boy present to the clinic for a health supervision visit. The mother is breastfeeding, and her baby is growing appropriately. At the end of the visit, the mother mentions that she is a vegetarian and that she would like to raise her son in the same way. She would like to know what she should be doing as a breastfeeding mother and how she can make sure that her son has the appropriate nutrition in the future.

The physician should begin by taking a dietary history from the mother to determine what type of vegetarianism she practices. He or she should explain to the mother that her infant's nutrition is based on her own dietary intake for as long as she continues to breastfeed. The pediatrician should counsel the mother on the importance of diet variety. If the mother is vegan, the pediatrician must take time to ensure that she is getting enough vitamin B₁₂ and calcium in her diet. When she is ready to wean her infant, she should continue to focus on dietary variety. The mother should be cautioned that adult vegetarian diets that are high in bulk and low in calories are not always appropriate for the growing and developing child. Finally, the pediatrician should ensure that the mother has the appropriate resources to guide her in finding the best foods for her child's nutritional needs. …