Why so many parents are raising vegan children
As the annual meat-free campaign Veganuary begins, Closer speaks to the mums embracing plant life!
For many parents, getting children to eat their greens is a daily battle – but Steffi Rox proudly says that her boys love kale. And unlike many kids their ages, Brody, six, and Romeo, two, have never so much as sniffed a chicken nugget.
Steffi is one of the growing number of parents who are raising their children as vegan. The Vegan Society says that the number of British vegans has doubled in the past two years, with around 600,000 of us giving up meat, fish, dairy, eggs and honey. Close to half of vegans are in the 15-34 age category, which suggests the number of children adopting the lifestyle may also be on the rise.
The move towards veganism is thought to have been driven by documentaries such as Vegecated and Cowspiracy, which reveal the shocking realities of animals suffering in the meat trade, as well as widespread campaigns such as Veganuary, which saw 168,500 people worldwide giving up animal products last January.
CANCER RISK
Headlines that have linked red and processed meats to increased risks of cancer may have also contributed. And Heather Russell, dietician at the Vegan Society, says children can thrive on a vegan diet. She says, “If you do your research and plan carefully, you can provide your child with a diet that contains all the essential nutrients needed for growth and development. Beans, chickpeas, lentils, soya mince, tofu and plain fortified soya yoghurt are just a few examples of good sources of protein, and these foods provide iron and zinc, too.
“Younger children require lots of energy. White rice, white pasta and nut and seed butters are useful sources.”
Single mum Steffi, 36, who owns vegan coffee shop The Kind Grind in Torbay, Devon, has been vegetarian since childhood and went vegan five years ago.
She says, “After a year being vegan, I had more energy. I also learned that by avoiding dairy, you lower the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis and even Alzheimer’s. It seemed the healthiest and most ethical way to eat, so it was a no-brainer that I’d feed my kids a vegan diet.”
CONTROVERSY
Vegan parenting has caused controversy, with some experts saying that a poorly managed vegan diet can lead to growth restrictions, cognitive delays and muscle weakness. But Steffi consulted a dietician to make sure her son Brody, then just two, would get all his vital nutrients.
She says, “I was advised that I’d need to find ways to get B12 into his diet. I add nutritional yeast to foods like baked beans.”
FAD DIET
And Steffi insists her boys never miss out. She says, “I’ll send them to birthday parties with their own bag of goodies, including vegan birthday cake and sausage rolls. People think they don’t get treats, but most takeaway pizza is vegan if you order it without the cheese.
“Most of my friends are vegan and because I haven’t eaten meat for so long, my parents were confident I knew what I was doing.”
Now, Brody is passionate about animal welfare. Steffi says, “If he sees a friend at school eating a ham sandwich, he’ll tell them they’re eating a dead pig. Both Brody and Romeo are happy and they never get ill. I’m confident I’m doing the best for them.”
Mum-of-two Erin Marrs, 33, is also convinced that a vegan diet is the best option. She says that her children, Oliver, five, and Charles, 18 months, have been “vegan since conception.”
She says, “I gave up dairy ten years ago to treat my adult acne. After researching more into animal welfare, my husband Paul and I soon gave up all animal products.
“I have a friend who thinks we’re all on some kind of fad diet. Every now and then, my
❛ MY BOYS ARE HAPPY AND NEVER ILL – I’M CONFIDENT I’M DOING THE BEST FOR THEM ❜
mum will ask if I’m sure they’re getting enough of what they need. But the proof is evident – both boys are thriving.”
Erin, who runs Instagram account @theveganginger, feeds Oliver fruit smoothies for breakfast, houmous and veg wraps for lunch, and rice with vegetables for dinner – plus plenty of fruit in between. Her youngest is still being breastfed.
She says, “Most vegan mums breastfeed for longer, as it solves the problem of finding an alternative drink. I breastfed Oliver until he was three.
“Now, if someone gives him food he’ll ask if it’s vegan. Some people say that when he’s 16, he’ll rebel and buy a Big Mac, but I can’t see it happening.”