ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how vegetarian and vegan diets affect nutrition, plus ways to ensure these diets are nutritionally suitable for children. There is a variety of reasons why people choose to avoid meat or meat products. These range from compassion for animals; dislike of the taste or texture of meat; peer pressure or a desired sense of independence; concern about food scares or for religious reasons. Humans did not evolve as vegans and so this diet results in nutritional deficiencies unless dietary supplements are taken. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study found that 30% of vegans in the UK were severely deficient in vitamin B12, which can lead to permanent nerve damage. Children eating a vegetarian diet should steer away from too much fibre, because it can fill them up before enough calories have been eaten and may reduce the absorption of iron and calcium.
