Raising Your Toddler Vegan There are many questions about the nutritional value of a vegan diet for adults. The main concern is the apparent lack of protein and vitamin B12. People are especially concerned when parents decide to feed their young children a vegan diet. Popular belief is that a vegan diet does not contain enough nutrients to support healthy brain and body development. Academic resources suggest that vegan diets can be safely followed by children without any compromise on nutrition or growth, but parents need to understand the nutritional needs of children at different developmental stages. It is important to understand both sides in order to develop an informed and accurate opinion about which diet should be best for your child. In this article, I will cover information that will indicate that a vegan diet is safe and healthy for your young children. In a New York Times article titled “Death by Veganism,” author Nina Planck begins the article with the shocking story of a 6-month-old baby who died of malnutrition. Parents only fed their babies soy milk. Planck mentions that she was also a vegan and that once she became pregnant, she saw veganism as a choice for irresponsible parents. She mentions that a vegan diet lacks vitamin B12, which is only found in animal foods, and that the diet also lacks protein and calcium. Planck says soy products inhibit growth and reduce protein absorption. The article does not reference any empirical research to validate the author's opinion. Planck explains his point of view in a very simplistic way that helps everyone understand why a vegan diet is not healthy for an infant, young child, and even an adult. The easy-to-read article makes...... middle of paper ......rdian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/apr/20/veganism-safe-childrenPlanck, N. (May 20, 2007). “Death by veganism.” The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/opinion/21planck.html?_r=0Watson, A. (August 14, 2008). “How a Strict Vegan Diet Made My Kids Sick.” Online mail. Retrieved March 30, 2014 from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1028854/How-strict-vegan-diet-children-ill.html Messina, V. & Mangels, PhD, A. (2001, June ) “Considerations When Planning a Vegan Diet: Children.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Retrieved March 30, 2014 from http://www.scienzavegetariana.it/nutrizione/ADAchildren.pdf Moilanen, MD, B. (May 1, 2004). “Vegan Diets in Infants, Children, and Adolescents.” Pediatrics in review. Accessed March 30, 2014, from http://pedsinreview.aappublications.org.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/content/25/5/174.full