Dieticians: Vegan diets can be healthy for infants, toddlers

case — after being charged with child endangerment. according to the associated press — she claims to be vegan — feeding her baby nothing but small amounts of nuts and berries. now — most pediatricians and nutrients agree — it’s perfectly fine to feed babies a vegan diet. but — is there a line between healthy and hazardous? 47 a-b-c’s lili zheng explains. track 1 vegan or not — when it comes to nutrition — tamara giles says it’s is all about balance. not just in terms of what you’re eating — but how much. 22:35:15 if you’re feeding a toddler, a preschooler…a diet that’s really high in fiber, they may not be getting enough calories or they may not be getting nutrients that they need because they’re getting so full from the fiber 28 track 2 giles — a clinical dietician at peninsula regional medical center — says it’s perfectly healthy to raise a child on a vegan diet. a diet — free of all animal products — including dairy and eggs. vegans — represent about 2 percent of the u-s population. the american journal of clinical nutrition reports in general — people who don’t eat meat — are at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. despite this — parents 47 a-b-c spoke to — say they’re skeptical. 22:45:43 i do think that a parent should watch how their kid is eating, so they don’t struggle with obesity but i think a kid should have meat and dairy in their diet 53 22:48:09 unless it’s something that they need health-wise, i think they should let their children make their own decisions regarding that 17 track 3 like giles — laura marinaro — agrees with vegan diets as a healthy alternative. but marinaro — dietician at salisbury university — tells 47 a-b-c it can cross into territory of healthy when nutrient categories are eliminated. 22:53:12 so if you have a child who’s not getting any protein, not getting fiber…things like that where you’re really significantly restricting it, that could be an issue 21 track 4 for all infants and toddlers — giles recommenders diets higher in fats. 22:33:34 and that’s because…your growing brain, you do need that healthy fat in your diet, so whether it’s coconut oil or avocado, getting some fat from the nut butter. fat in their diet is something that we want for their brain to grow properly 48 track 5 and a good rule of thumb — ask for professional medical advice from dieticians. lili zheng, 47 a-b-c. in terms of recommended caloric intakes for kids — dieticians say it can vary based on their daily activity level. now it’s time to announce tonight’s first winner of our fall