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 already in childhood. But while fresh fruit and vegetables are definitely healthy, there are considerable concerns when children only feed vegetarian or even vegan. Experts warn that this can lead to deficiency symptoms during the growth spurts.

The discussion about the correct nutrition of children is diverse and often controversial. Berthold Koletzko, Chairman of the Child Health Foundation, emphasizes that a purely vegetable diet is not automatically healthy. "It depends on the composition," he says. The only disadvantage: there are many children who feed on unhealthy, processed vegetarian products that are poor in nutrients, which can be potentially dangerous. Research shows that certain nutrients that occur in meat and fish are essential for the growth of children.

The importance of nutrient supply

Especially in the early development phases of a child, i.e. in infancy and during puberty, a balanced diet is particularly important. Koletzko warns that many with iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin B12 are decisive. If you do without them, this could have health consequences that could range from general well -being to neurological damage.

The pediatrician Axel Gerschauer supports this view and emphasizes that the demands on nutrient absorption during growth are many times higher than in adults. "If 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 few nutrients. Meat and fish provide important nutrients in a concentrated form.

The advantages of a conscious plant diet are undeniable, however: a higher fiber content, for example, can promote intestinal health, and reduced calorie intake can prevent obesity in children. "You can also achieve the positive aspects if the diet is more varied and there are opportunities for the consumption of fish and lean meat," adds Koletzko.

The nutritionist Ute Alexy speaks out for a balanced vegetarian food that does not simply exclude meat, but is replaced by high -quality vegetable alternatives, such as wholemeal products or legumes. "But there are still official nutritional recommendations that recommend mixed food," says Alexy, who is working on a project that also captures vegetarian patterns for the nutrition of children.

Another critical voice in the debate is that of the professional association of pediatricians in North Rhine, which warns of a vegan diet without animal products. The risk of nutrient deficiencies is particularly significant in young children. Gerschauer points out that anemia, weakness and developmental disorders can be frequent consequences for children who only eat estrén.

families who consider vegetarian or vegan lifestyles are advised to take advantage of nutritionists. Because knowledge of healthy eating is often not sufficient, especially when it comes to the nutrition of children. This can prevent children who live meatless in critical growth phases. Studies have shown that fruit and vegetable-heavy diet offers many advantages, but it does not automatically protect against nutritional defects that can have serious consequences.

Overall, the data situation for the vegetarian diet of children remains thin. Findings from studies such as the Vech-Diet- und Vechi-Youth studies that show no significant deficits with a small number of participants in vegetarian-eaten children are encouraging, but not sufficiently representative. Nevertheless, it is obvious that a balanced and well thought -out nutritional model for children not only depends on the selection of plant products, but also on the occasional supply of animal foods to ensure comprehensive nutrient supply.