The American Academy of Pediatrics on the vegan diet

Pediatrician Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP, shares advice for parents with a vegan or vegetarian child on how to ensure their child gets everything needed for proper growth and development
Vegan Diets For Kids - The American Academy Of Pediatricians Advice
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The American Academy of Pediatrics on the vegan diet

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For families that are vegetarian or vegan, it is very important to take a close look at your family's diet, and make sure that your child is getting everything that they need for growth and development. For instance, breast-fed babies; around 4 to 6 months of age it is important to begin introducing iron-rich foods, so if you are a vegetarian family and you are not going to introduce meat products, you want to make sure that you are giving your baby an iron-enriched cereal, because that is so important for brain development and growth. If you are a vegan mother, you may need supplemental B12 to make sure that your child is not deficient. In general, when I have families that are vegans or vegetarians or have any specific dietary restrictions, I really urge them to work with a dietitian or closely with a pediatrician who is trained in nutrition, to ensure that their child gets everything they need for proper growth and development.

Pediatrician Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP, shares advice for parents with a vegan or vegetarian child on how to ensure their child gets everything needed for proper growth and development

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Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP

Pediatrician

A leading medical authority for the popular press and entertainment industry, Dr. Tanya Altmann is a best-selling author, parenting expert and media spokesperson. A working mother and UCLA-trained pediatrician who practices in Southern California, Dr. Tanya is a designated spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, communicating complicated medical issues into easily understood concepts.  She is a child health expert for numerous news programs and talk shows including Today (NBC), and KTLA (CW Los Angeles). She stays on the cutting edge through her position as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA, as the Chief Medical Advisor for the Newborn Channel and her private practice.

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Transcription: 
For families that are vegetarian or vegan, it is very important to take a close look at your family's diet, and make sure that your child is getting everything that they need for growth and development. For instance, breast-fed babies; around 4 to 6 months of age it is important to begin introducing iron-rich foods, so if you are a vegetarian family and you are not going to introduce meat products, you want to make sure that you are giving your baby an iron-enriched cereal, because that is so important for brain development and growth. If you are a vegan mother, you may need supplemental B12 to make sure that your child is not deficient. In general, when I have families that are vegans or vegetarians or have any specific dietary restrictions, I really urge them to work with a dietitian or closely with a pediatrician who is trained in nutrition, to ensure that their child gets everything they need for proper growth and development.