Vegetarian or not? Nutrition for children is so healthy!

Vegetarian or not? Nutrition for children is so healthy!

In recent years, many people have chosen a vegetarian diet, often in childhood. But while fresh fruit and vegetables are definitely healthy, there are significant concerns when children eat an exclusively vegetarian or even vegan diet. Experts warn that this can lead to nutritional deficiencies during growth spurts.

The discussion about proper nutrition for children is diverse and often controversial. Berthold Koletzko, chairman of the Children's Health Foundation, emphasizes that a purely plant-based diet is not automatically healthy. “It depends on the composition,” he says. The only downside is that there are many children who eat unhealthy, processed vegetarian products that are low in nutrients, which can be potentially dangerous. Research shows that certain nutrients found in meat and fish are essential for children's growth.

The importance of nutrient supply

A balanced diet is particularly important in the early phases of a child's development, i.e. in infancy and during puberty. Koletzko warns that many foods containing iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin B12 are crucial. Failure to do so could have health consequences ranging from general well-being to neurological damage.

Pediatrician Axel Gerschlauer supports this view and emphasizes that the requirements for nutrient intake during growth are many times higher than for adults. “When the body has to grow quickly, it needs more energy and nutrients,” he explains. Young children in particular have smaller stomachs that can only absorb a small amount of nutrients. Meat and fish provide important nutrients in concentrated form.

However, the benefits of a conscious plant-based diet are undeniable: a higher fiber content can, for example, promote intestinal health, and a reduced calorie intake can prevent obesity in children. “The positive aspects can also be achieved if the diet is made more varied and there are opportunities to consume fish and lean meat,” adds Koletzko.

Nutritionist Ute Alexy advocates a balanced vegetarian diet that does not simply exclude meat, but rather replaces it with high-quality plant-based alternatives, such as whole grain products or legumes. “But there are still official nutritional recommendations that recommend a mixed diet,” says Alexy, who is working on a project that also records vegetarian patterns in children’s diets.

Another critical voice in the debate is that of the professional association of pediatricians and adolescent doctors in North Rhine, which warns against a vegan diet without animal products. The risk of nutritional deficiencies is particularly significant in young children. Gerschlauer points out that anemia, weakness and developmental problems can be common consequences for children who only eat a plant-based diet.

Families considering vegetarian or vegan lifestyles are advised to seek the support of nutritionists. Because knowledge about healthy nutrition is often not sufficient, especially when it comes to children's nutrition. This can prevent meat-free children from being underserved during critical growth periods. Studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables offers many benefits, but it does not automatically protect against nutritional deficiencies that can have serious consequences.

Overall, the data on children's vegetarian diets remains scarce. Findings from studies such as the VeCh Diet and VeChi Youth studies, which showed no significant deficits in a small number of participating vegetarian children, are encouraging but not sufficiently representative. Nevertheless, it is obvious that a balanced and well-thought-out nutritional model for children depends not only on the selection of plant products, but also on the occasional intake of animal foods to ensure a comprehensive nutritional supply.