By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD<\/p>\n
About 5 years ago, The New York Times published an op-ed sensationally headlined “Death by Veganism.” This opinion piece created a great deal of outcry, because of its incorrect information and shaky foundation. The Public Editor of the Times<\/a> said, \u201cI think The Times owes its readers the other side, published on the op-ed page, not just in five letters to the editor that briefly took issue with her\u201d and asked, \u201cAnd what is the obligation of editors to make sure that op-ed writers are not playing fast and loose with the facts?\u201d<\/p>\n Last week The Times included another opinion piece<\/a> by the same writer that takes issue with vegan diets for infants and children. I hesitated about even responding to this, hating to call attention to an article that is so filled with misinformation. I do think, however, that those who are raising (or are considering raising) children on vegan diets need good information to support their decision and to help them respond to others who may use this article as a way of questioning their choice. VRG\u2019s website<\/a> offers many great resources for parents.<\/p>\n While space prevents addressing every one of the questionable statements, here are a few:<\/p>\n \u201cThe breast milk of vegetarian and vegan mothers is dramatically lower in a critical brain fat, DHA, than the milk of an omnivorous mother and contains less usable vitamin B6.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Fact<\/b>: DHA\u2019s role in brain development is uncertain. An analysis of current research by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly known as the American Dietetic Association) concluded that while DHA supplements can increase the amount of DHA in breast milk, this increase does not necessarily lead to a There have not been published reports of the vitamin B6 content of breast milk from vegetarians or vegans so I can\u2019t understand where the statement about less usable vitamin B6 comes from. Vegetarians generally have adequate intakes of vitamin B6.<\/p>\n \u201cVegans, vegetarians and people with poor thyroid function are often deficient in carnitine and its precursors.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n There is also no evidence that vegetarians or vegans are deficient in carnitine or its precursors. While lower levels of carnitine have been reported in adult vegetarians compared to nonvegetarians, levels were within a normal range (2). Carnitine is not considered an essential nutrient because our bodies are able to make it from amino acids. The mother\u2019s diet has little effect on the amount of carnitine in her breast milk (3).<\/p>\n \u201cThe most risky period for vegan children is weaning. Growing babies who are leaving the breast need complete protein, omega-3 fats, iron, calcium and zinc. Compared with meat, fish, eggs and dairy, plants are inferior sources of every one.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Fact<\/b>: Weaning is a tricky time, nutritionally speaking, for many children. Breast milk contains readily absorbed nutrients with ratios of protein, fat and carbohydrate that support the baby\u2019s growth. Babies who are weaned to a diet high in empty calories or a diet focused mainly on cow\u2019s milk can certainly have nutrition-related problems. Vegan diets can easily meet a toddler\u2019s needs for protein, omega-3 fats, iron, calcium, and zinc. The 2010 edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans<\/a><\/i> includes a menu planning tool that can be used for vegan children age 2 and older. We also include menu planning guides on our website<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSoy protein is not good for a baby\u2019s first food\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Fact<\/b>: Who said soy protein should be a baby\u2019s first food? While infants who are not breastfed do use soy formula (which has a long track record of successfully nourishing infants), breastfed infants are not usually given soy as a first food. Iron-fortified infant cereals are commonly used as an easily digested first food.<\/p>\n \u201cStudies have shown that kids raised until age 6 on a vegan diet are still B12 deficient even years after they start eating at least some animal products.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Fact<\/b>: Vegan children can have adequate vitamin B12 status if their diet includes regular, reliable sources of vitamin B12. Reliable sources of vitamin B12 include foods fortified with vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 supplements.<\/p>\n \u201cVegans may believe it\u2019s possible to get B12 from plant sources like seaweed, fermented soy, spirulina and brewer\u2019s yeast.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\npositive effect on brain development (1).<\/p>\n