While a vegan diet can be a healthy option for some people, when done without proper consultation, it can have devastating effects.
A recent court case in Australia revealed the tragic outcome that can happen when children on a vegan diet aren’t properly monitored, or given all the nutrients they need for healthy growth.
With so many diets out there, it can be difficult to determine which one is best for you and your family.
It seems that there’s always a new diet trend, whether it’s going gluten-free or jumping on the Keto bandwagon. It’s important to remember that not every diet is suitable for all people.
Vegan diets have been around for a long time, but have gained some popularity in recent years.
Vegans do not consume any animal meats or by-products, including dairy and eggs. They also eliminate products like honey from their diets.
If done properly, vegan diets can be healthy.
As long as a person works with a nutritionist to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamin B-12 from plant-based sources, it’s absolutely fine.
However, a recent case from Australia highlights the dangers of putting a young child on a vegan diet without proper consultation.
A mother and father from Sydney, Australia recently escaped jail time after their 19-month-old daughter was found to be severely malnourished from a strict vegan diet, according to a report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
In March 2018, the parents took the girl to the hospital after she suffered a seizure.
There, doctors discovered that she had rickets, a disease caused by malnutrition. The toddler also had no teeth, and looked only “three-months-old”, according to a worker from a foster care agency.
The parents admitted that their daughter was fed a diet of fruits, vegetables, rice milk, oats, and tofu.
They were charged with causing danger or serious injury to their child and plead guilty to the charges.
The toddler has been living with family members and sees her parents during supervised visits.
The parents, whose identities have been kept private in the interests of their children, were sentenced to 18 months of an intensive corrections order in the community and 300 hours of community service.
The judge who presided over the case said she wasn’t passing moral judgement on plant-based diets, it was “completely inadequate” to sustain the little girl.
Children and toddlers need the proper amount of calories and nutrients to support their growth. While it is possible to do this with a vegan diet, it is strongly recommended that a registered dietitian works with families to create a menu that will support a growing child’s needs.
